Daily Devotion 26 June 2020

Derek Scott2020-06, Devotional
Create a peaceful space to pause, and allow yourself to feel God’s presence alongside you, as near to you as your own breath. In following the reflection below, as a church we will draw closer to God and to one another as we grow in faith and deepen our sense of belonging to God.

Hebrews 6:19-20 ‘Hope in Jesus’

19 We have this hope as an anchor for our lives.
It is safe and sure,
and goes through the curtain of the heavenly temple into the inner sanctuary.
20 On our behalf Jesus has gone in there before us.

‘Will Your Anchor Hold’
Priscilla Jane Owens (1829-1907)
Will your anchor hold in the storms of life,
when the clouds unfold their wings of strife?
When the strong tides lift, and the cables strain,
will your anchor drift, or firm remain?
We have an anchor that keeps the soul
steadfast and sure while the billows roll;
fastened to the Rock which cannot move,
grounded firm and deep in the Saviour’s love!
Will your anchor hold in the straits of fear,
when the breakers roar and the reef is near?
While the surges rave, and the wild winds blow,
shall the angry waves then your barque o’erflow?
Will your anchor hold in the floods of death,
when the waters cold chill your latest breath?
On the rising tide you can never fail,
while your anchor holds within the veil:
Will your eyes behold through the morning light
the city of gold and the harbour bright?
Will you anchor safe by the heavenly shore,
when life’s storms are past for evermore?

This hymn was inspired by these words from the Epistle ot the Hebrews, and was written by Priscilla Owens, a Sunday School Teacher. It is often associated with The Boys Brigade and their motto: ‘Sure and Steadfast’.

Today we are all experiencing the greatest ‘storm’ of virus attack in the history of humankind. There is no-one in the world today who is not involved in one way or another. The words of this hymn must ring true for those who have faith in God. We must answer the questions posed in each verse of the hymn:

Will my faith drift or firm remain?
Will my faith hold in the straits of fear?
Will my faith hold in the ‘floods of death’
(which we’ve been experiencing on a scale never known before).

Finally the blessed assurance of verse four when our faith looks forward to a time which must come ‘when life’s storms are past for evermore’. The chorus is especially one of the greatest comfort signs of all. We have the assurance of our faith that keeps us steadfast and sure while all around might be chaos and gloom. We can all face the future because we are fastened to a rock which cannot move, grounded firm and deep in the Savious’s love. So dwell on these verses because they are a real spiritual tonic when we are perhaps at our lowest ebb and feeling the stresses and strains as never before.

Prayer:

Loving Father,
we come this day into your loving presence with thanksgiving and praise.
Whatever we do today may we be strengthened in our faith
to abide in your love come what may.
We pray especially for those who are depressed and sad and lonely.
May they be given hope and faith and reach out to your ever loving arms.
In your name. Amen.

Reflection, and Prayer © 2020 Derek Scott.
Hymn words freely available or no longer in copyright.
Images freely available online.
A printable version of this Daily Devotional can be downloaded from here
All material within this order of worship is reproduced by permission under CCL 1226356