The Anchor that Holds
Psalm 146:5 – “Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the LORD his God.”
By Marc Jagt
Read: Psalm 146:1-7
Do you like boating or fishing? Do you make sure you have an anchor on board? Anchors are the most neglected piece of safety equipment, I’m told. If your engine is down, that’s what will keep your boat off the rocks.
What’s your anchor in life? What are you holding onto, where do you find confidence and peace? If your anchor is only in the sand, you’ll be blown about here and there. Perhaps even shipwrecked. The best anchor grabs something solid.
The author of Psalm 146 also gives us that challenge. First he warns, do not trust in princes, in a son of man, in whom there is no salvation (v. 3). Earthly rulers may seem powerful. They can save and bless at times. In the past they’ve even claimed to be gods. The future of a nation or individual often seemed to be in the hands of its rulers.
The psalmist, however, reminds us that the most powerful of persons is still but a creature of the dust. He puns that all humans will become humus (in Hebrew, the “adam” (man) becomes “adamah” (dust)). And all their plans, just like them, will perish—like the wicked of Psalm 1.
The question then is this: is there something more solid?
There is!
Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in th
e LORD his God! There is a covenant-making God, a God who “keeps faith forever” (v. 7). He makes promises, and those promises are in a vault, under lock and key. Nothing can touch them.
And that reality is found in the Lord Jesus Christ.
In Hebrews 6, the author talks about the ascension of Jesus. And he says that when Jesus entered heaven, it’s like he was taking a lot of rope and an anchor with him (v.19). He put our anchor in the most secure place around. Not way, way down below. But the opposite! Way, way up above! In the heavenly holy of holies, the very throne room of God.
How blessed are those who have their help and hope in Jesus! The floods may rise, the winds may buffet, the devil may rage in the air, our bodies may be claimed by the earth, but that anchor far above will always hold!
Those who hope in him will certainly be blessed!