Where’s Your Anchor?

In You, O Lord, I put my trust.  Psalm 71:1

An unknown author made this analogy: “Can you imagine the captain of a ship, driven about by rough winds and desiring to drop anchor, trying to find a suitable place to do so right on board his own vessel? Such a thing seems ridiculous, but for the sake of a lesson let’s picture the skipper doing that. He hangs the anchor at the bow, but still the boat drives before the wind. He sets it on the deck, but this too fails to hold it steady. At last he puts it down into the hold, but has no better success.

“You see, an anchor resting on the storm-driven craft will never do the job. Only as it is thrown into the deep can it be effective against the wind and tide. In the same way, the person whose confidence is in himself will never experience true peace and safety. His actions are as futile as one who keeps the anchor aboard his own ship. Cast your faith into the great depths of God’s eternal love and power. Place your trust in the infinitely faithful One.”

This is excellent advice! Remember, if your hope for riding out the storms of life is anchored on your own capabilities, your confidence has been tragically misplaced. Instead, with the psalmist declare, “In You, O Lord, I put my trust” (Ps. 71:1).

Though waves and billows o’er me roll

 In crushing floods of ill,

 Within the haven of God’s love

 My soul is anchored still.

 We’ll be steady in the storm if we’re anchored to Christ the rock.

Magnets And Mothers

Honor your father and your mother, as the Lord your God has    commanded you.   Deuteronomy 5:16

A teacher gave her class of second-graders a lesson about the magnet and what it does. The next day, in a written test, she included this question: “My name has six letters. The first one is m. I pick up things. What am I?” When the test papers were turned in, the teacher was astonished to find that almost 50 percent of the students answered the question with the word mother.

Yes, mothers do pick up things. But they are much more than “magnets,” gathering up clothes and picking up toys around the house. As willing as many mothers are to do such chores, they have a higher calling than that.

A good mother loves her family and provides an atmosphere where each member can find acceptance, security, and understanding. She is there when the children need a listening ear, a comforting word, a warm hug, or a loving touch on a fevered brow. And for the Christian mother, her greatest joy is in teaching her children to trust and to love Jesus as their Savior.

That kind of mother deserves to be honored—not just on one special day a year but every day. And that recognition should involve more than words; it ought to be shown in respect, thoughtfulness, and loving deeds.

Of all the earthly things God gives,

There’s one above all others:

It is the precious, priceless gift

Of loving Christian mothers.

Godly mothers not only bring you up, they bring you to God.

When Everything Goes Wrong

Jacob their father said to them, “. . . . All these things are against me.” – Genesis 42:36

Poor Jacob had reached the end of his rope. Hearing upsetting news from his sons who had just returned from Egypt, he said in utter dismay, “Everything is against me!” (Gen. 42:36 NIV).

Joseph had been taken from him. Famine was plaguing the land of Canaan.  Simeon was being held as a hostage. And now Benjamin, the youngest son, was being demanded as a ransom to secure his brother’s release. That was almost too much for the aging patriarch to bear. Overwhelmed by these circumstances, he felt that everything had turned against him. In reality, however, God was working out His wise purposes.

When the dust of Jacob’s turmoil finally began to settle, it became increasingly clear that all these distressing events were actually intended for his ultimate good.  They led to his move to Egypt were the Lord made his offspring into a great nation.  Even though Jacob had declared that all these things were against him, from God’s standpoint everything was going for him.

When everything seems to be going wrong, dwell on the truth that “all things work together for good to those who love God” (Rom. 8:28). Then, instead of complaining, you’ll be able to say confidently, “God is working for me!”

God “works together” all our woe

And fills us with His love,

Till stumbling blocks are stepping stones

To His bright home above.

IF YOU KNOW THAT GOD’S HAND IS IN EVERYTHING

YOU CAN LEAVE EVERYTHING IN GOD’S HAND.

 Five-Finger Prayers

Mirror, Mirror