Americans have developed a near zero tolerance for risk. “Safety first,” is our demand! When something in our complex world fails, when an accident happens, we suddenly remember that everything we do has some risk involved. Yesterday, I strapped myself inside of a metal cage and hurled myself at high speeds along a corridor with other machines. It was a choice that exposed me to death or horrific injury. Yes, I was driving my car! Every time I go down the road, I choose to accept some level of risk.
Just about everything I do; driving, using an appliance, taking some medication, involves some risk of injury or illness. Those risks are usually very small, but they exist none the less. Most of the time we do not consciously think of the dangers of life because to do so would paralyze us with fear. We try to balance benefit and risk, minimizing our exposure to injury or loss with good safety practices.
Only God guarantees us a risk-free relationship and benefit. James reminds us that "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows." (James 1:17, NIV) We can trust Him without calculation, without reservation, without insurance – because what He says, He will do. We accept that by faith, though there are times in our lives when it difficult to hang onto that promise. When sickness comes, friends fail us, our best laid plans do not work out; we are tempted to wonder where He is, why He is allowing us to go through the darkness. When we find ourselves in the middle of temptation, drawn away from Him by the work of the sinful nature, the world’s influence, or the Devil’s seduction, our security wavers, too.
In those times, we have a choice – to remain faithful and steadfast in our commitment, or to turn away and follow our own way. The amazing truth of the Word is this: even "if we are faithless, he will remain faithful!" (2 Timothy 2:13, NIV) God enters into a covenant with us that is secured by His unchanging love and the Cross, not by our perfection. Oh, what a glorious thought. That is amazing grace! If we anchor our hope of a right relationship with Him, of answered prayer, even of finding our home in Heaven in our own goodness, our spiritual experience will be one of fear and uncertainty. We know, all too well, (or at least we should!) how prone to failure we are. But, if we put our faith in God and His promise, we find a Rock that anchors us through it all!
Some would argue that such security would make us careless about our obedience. That’s not my experience. In my life, when I focus on His faithfulness and promise, I discover greater strength available through the Spirit to live a holy life! The perfection of His promise of salvation gives me reason to press onward with even greater determination. "Since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. ... we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory. We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love." (Romans 5:1-5, NLT)
Disciple, are you feeling insecure today?
Have circumstances arisen for which you have no explanation?
Are you afraid, sensing greater risk than you can manage?
Let me encourage you to turn to the One who cannot fail. Make Him your hope. Anchor your life in His immutable promises. It is the one risk-free choice we can make in a world full of uncertainty!
Here’s a word from the Word. Believe it! Live it! "God can’t break his word. And because his word cannot change, the promise is likewise unchangeable. We who have run for our very lives to God have every reason to grab the promised hope with both hands and never let go. It’s an unbreakable spiritual lifeline, reaching past all appearances right to the very presence of God where Jesus, running on ahead of us, has taken up his permanent post as high priest for us." (Hebrews 6:18-20, The Message)
_____________
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 Savior's love.
Will Your Anchor Hold?
William James Kirkpatrick
Public Domain
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