THIS GOSPEL, THE ANCHOR OF SOUL

Today’s Bible Verse

Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, you want to be with me because I fed you, not because you understood the miraculous signs. But don’t be so concerned about perishable things like food. Spend your energy seeking the eternal life that the Son of Man can give you. For God the Father has given me the seal of his approval.” They replied, “We want to perform God’s works, too. What should we do?” Jesus told them, “This is the only work God wants from you: Believe in the one he has sent.”

 John 6:26-29 (NLT)

This Gospel, the Anchor of Our Soul

In these scriptures, Jesus was speaking to the multitude that followed Him.  They followed Him because they saw the miracles He performed (healing the sick, feeding the multitudes with five loaves of bread and two small fish).  Jesus rebuked them because He saw what was in their hearts—they pursued Him for the miracles and works He did, not because their hearts were open and longing for the true, abundant life He gives us (a life changed and transformed by the power of the word of God).

Just like the multitude that followed Jesus, we can become distracted by pursuing the miracles or things that meet our needs, and we miss the abundant life that God desires us to live—a life of total freedom in Jesus!  Yes, God desires to meet our needs and bring healing and restoration to our lives.  But, do we seek those “things” more than God Himself, His presence?  The crowd did not understand what Jesus meant; and they asked: “What should we do?” They thought that their works could earn God’s favor, but Jesus’ reply was simply, “Believe in the one He has sent.”  

Hebrews 4 reminds us of the Israelites.  They experienced all the miracles God performed, yet they did not enter into God’s rest because of their unbelief.  Their hearts were hardened, and they never experienced the fullness God intended for them.  Being more consumed with their circumstances, they focused more on their desire to have their needs met rather than on mixing the Word of God with their faith (allowing the word of God to work in their lives).  

Hebrews 4:11 strongly encourages us: “So then we must give our all and be eager to experience this faith-rest life, so that no one falls short by following the same pattern of doubt and unbelief.” (Rachel Wela)

Seize the Moment

A distraction is defined as something that distracts, an object that directs one’s attention away from something else.  Let’s examine our thoughts.  When we go to God in prayer, are our prayers consumed mostly with our needs and desires?  Ask the Holy Spirit to expose what distractions and circumstances we’ve allowed to take our attention away from God.

Set Your Life

Hebrews 6:19 says: “This hope [this confident assurance] we have as an anchor of the soul [it cannot slip and it cannot break down under whatever pressure bears upon it]—a safe and steadfast hope that enters within the veil [of the heavenly temple, that most Holy Place in which the very presence of God dwells],”  

Is your soul (mind, will, and emotions) anchored to the hope of the gospel?  What deliberate actions will you take, starting today, to anchor your soul to the hope of the gospel?

Today’s Declaration

I stand firm on the Word of God. I will not allow any circumstance to distract my focus off of God’s Word.  His Word, the hope of the gospel, is the anchor of my soul.  My faith is immovable because it is anchored to the hope of the gospel!

Today’s Bible Reading

  • Old Testament: Leviticus 14-15; Psalms 42
  • New Testament: Matthew 19:1-15; Acts 26:1-18

THIS GOSPEL, THE ANCHOR OF SOUL