We have this HOPE an anchor for the soul – Hebrews 6:19
Author: The Kedge Anchor
The Kedge Anchor - Anchored in Hope
“We have this hope as an anchor for the soul…” Hebrews 6:19
The Kedge Anchor - About
Welcome to the Kedge Anchor. This blog started from a time in my life where I no longer liked changes. Changes, like the waves in the ocean can turn us upside down sometimes and the currents of this life can take us to places we really didn’t intend to go. But changes are a part of life and the older I get the less I like them. Maybe you can relate. Sometimes storms form over the ocean and totally churn up our lives like the ocean floor. And when all is finally over, we feel depleted, drained, exhausted. Turning to God’s word first is always a good place to start and gain footing again. And sometimes God leads us to other sources for encouragement, family, friends, church family, and oddly enough, for me, back to the still calm waters (of the ocean).
Kedging is a nautical term “to draw (a vessel) along by hauling in on the cable of a light anchor that has been dropped at some distance from it, or (of a vessel) to be drawn in this fashion “ https://www.thefreedictionary.com/kedging Kedging is done in calm waters when one needs the boat to move forward or in the case when one is going against the wind. The sailor casts the kedge anchor out in the waters and pulls the boat towards the anchor.
In a season of wait, when we feel like we are at a stand still and perhaps we aren’t hearing God’s voice or when we are in the middle of the storm, we can draw to Him. (James 4:8) We can cast our anchor (of hope) out and take a step in faith toward God, read the Bible, recall a favorite verse, and cling to HIs words. He is our anchor for our soul (Heb. 6:19). When the storms and currents of life are changing our course and we find ourselves going against the wind, we can remain steadfast in His Word and love.
Be encouraged. You are not alone.
“Draw near to God and he will draw near to you…” James 4:8
new!! Every Monday The Kedge Anchor will be posting on Facebook Bible verses to memorize. There is so much false information around, most of it that’s just depressing. Memorizing scripture is something that can bring hope. In times of stress and and in those days when we are winning having a verse to recall can calm us, help us celebrate and maybe encourage someone else.
“They word I have hidden in my heart, that I may not sin against you.”
Psalm 119:11
Grab a pen and 3×5 card, a Post It note, put on your bathroom mirror, refrigerator or do it digitally, there are many apps to help, any way you prefer to help memorize scripture. Find a friend to hold you accountable and memorize to together.
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Dark, still waters. Light is limited, can’t see and not moving anywhere, need direction and light. Is this you right now? Read on.
Waiting on the Lord when you need an answer from Him, or direction, or a healing can be difficult. It’s those difficult times it seems like we are walking in a wilderness, or in still waters and we need to do some kedging (see the About page). We can’t see the light, we don’t know in what direction to turn, we search for answers to the point we become consumed with the problem. We need to consume ourselves with THE problem solver. Jesus.
So often we hear people tell us to “just give it to God”, “hand your problems to Him”, and, I like this one, “Try not to worry about it.” All given with good intent and probably for a lack of not knowing what to say. Even the Bible does tell us not to worry – Matthew 6:25-34, but God also gives us some instruction in verse 33, “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness“. So when we read or hear those words, “Give it to God”, what does that look like? I believe that handing it over to God is going to vary slightly for everyone. But I do believe there are two important practices with which we can start. First, we need to pray and read God’s Word. (Those two go hand in hand) Obvious I know, but it’s how we pray; pray specifically. God knows our situation, after all He is in control and nothing surprises Him, – Hebrews 4:13, but He still waits and wants to hear from His children. So perhaps we can pray specifically for putting the right people in our paths to encourage, speak truth to us, and that our eyes and hearts are open to them. There’s a quote in a book by Ruth Chou Simons titled Gracelaced, an awesome devotional, beautifully illustrated in watercolors and photographs that takes you through the truths from God’s Word as you transition through seasons of life. There is one quote that really stood out to me. “God is more interested in your desperate need for His lamp-lit direction than your path-paving skills.” By praying and reading God’s Word, getting to know Him more, and growing closer to Him, we will begin to focus less on our current situation and more on Him and what He has to say to us. We also begin to see the light on His path, just enough for the next step. That’s all we need. Any more would overwhelm us and if we knew more than we needed, we would be relying on that knowledge and not trusting God and “His lamp-lit direction”. Besides we only have today, not yesterday, and tomorrow is history. Focus on scripture, write out a scripture verse for the day, carry it with you, memorize it, draw it, paint it, sing it, whatever is going to help you remember it. This needs to be a daily practice. And when we come out of this wilderness, hopefully we are still practicing this important step.
The second thing we can do is serve. Text a friend ask them “how can I pray for you today?” and pray for them. A handwritten note is always encouraging and who doesn’t like to get a nice surprise in the mail? Ask to serve at church, a local non-profit, look to your neighbors, ask a friend if you can babysit so they can have a date night, mow a lawn, etc. I know serving may look different in this current state of lockdown and limited mobility. But there are ways to get creative. It may be just serving your family at home. Serving others helps get our minds off ourselves and our problems.
“God is more interested in your desperate need for His lamp-lit direction than your path-paving skills.”
Ruth Chou Simons
This is not to say that worry isn’t going to creep in. If you’re like me, “ok God, not going to worry about this, this is yours to handle, Amen.” LOL right? Ten seconds later, I’m back where I started. That’s ok. We. Are. Human. And once again, God isn’t surprised. So we need to recognize our worry and hand it back over to God with a prayer of asking for forgiveness and moving forward. Pick up the verse you wrote down and read it again, this time from memory, if you can. This is also not to say we can’t do anything at all. If it’s a financial struggle, a health issue, a relationship issue, a spiritual battle, whatever it is we are trying to navigate, we can still do a part. For example, if it’s a health issue, we can research healthy ways to combat it or search for a doctor that specializes in the health issue, but what we can’t do is obsess over it. And we will, from time to time, find ourselves obsessing. That’s when we need to repent and release it back to God. Walk away from it, regain our focus. As it was said in Hope for the Future Part 2, “While it’s good to plan and prepare responsibly, it’s bad to dwell and worry about all the ways our planning could go wrong.”
So when we feel like we are wandering or sailing in uncharted waters, seeking God’s “lamp-lit direction” by “kedging” (spiritual kedging) or pulling closer to Him, seeking Him in His Word daily, we allow God to show us the light and lead us in the right direction.
Are the waves of life crashing in around you? If you’re looking for hope, read on.
This blog is all about Hope. God, the giver of Hope. When we find ourselves in troubled waters we need assurance there is Hope. God is in the troubled waters. The troubled waters can last for days to years. I know that doesn’t sound very hopeful. Take heart, things do change, some things take time to change and God is in control of that change. It’s in the movement, the uncomfortable places of transformation that we can find hope.
We all want to be in places of peace and calm, where there are no worries and things are going swimmingly. Our plans are unfolding nicely and we think we have it all figured out. Then, the tide changes. A storm suddenly wells up and churns our calm sea. Stop and pause for a moment. Where is the battle raging? The sea (your situation) or your mind? If you’re fighting the rough waters, trying to navigate, losing your way, trying to find some light, a way out and you’re starting lose hope, becoming weary and tired, depleted and discouraged, if that’s where you are, you’re fighting the wrong battle. You’re fighting something you have no control over. Stop.
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
Romans 8:28
If God is in control, then you are wrestling God. Stop. Stop fighting God. Not that, that’s wrong. Now you’re probably about to say, “And just let the waters take me and toss me around?” Well, no. There are some things you can do. First recognize where the battle is really taking place. Be it a health issue, the loss of a loved one, a financial issue, an issue with a child, relationship, job related; those all represent the churning sea. God is using those situations to transform us. So what we need to do next, is fix our eyes, (verse) minds on Jesus, by the renewing of our minds (renewing of the mind verse) There is going to be little we can do to change our situation and wrestling God or the lies of Satan, that will just wear us out. Know that Satan is at work trying to keep you one degree off your navigation, but God says He will never leave us or forsake us. (verse) Sometimes the battle is harder to fight when the lines blur and we are trying to justify our situation so that we don’t have to change, because it’s just easier not to change. And really, who wants to change an already comfortable situation, perhaps? But, look at how hard you’re working NOT to change. Transformation can be painful. but, it’s worth it and once the transformation happens, life becomes easier. But, KNOW that God is working to use whatever situation you are in to transform you into more like Him. That’s His ultimate goal, but He is also working in other areas of our lives to grow us. – Romans 8:28 “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” NIV
Next, it’s the movement, even if you need to wrestle with God, and sometimes that’s ok, you’re not gonna win but what will come out of it is newness. Sitting in those calm still waters we can become stagnant, no change, no growth, really going nowhere. But it’s in the movement of those churning waters we learn to navigate uncharted waters or a new way to navigate in the same churning waters.
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It’s crazy. Isn’t it? The way things are going? What once was good is now considered bad. What once was bad is now good. And the Bible teaches us through prophesy in the Old Testament and in the book of Revelation about the end times. But yet, sometimes I gotta shake my head and say to myself, “Really?” Yah, really.
Often times, I am at a loss how to deal with things. It’s really confusing. And praying. Well, I really am not sure how to pray in these times. How does one pray for the days that are to come, if we are, and I believe we are embarking on the outskirts of the last days.
“We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure …”
Hebrews 6:19(NIV)
2 Timothy 3: 1-5 (NIV) “But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. 2 People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, 4 treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people.
The KJV uses the word perilous for terrible. The greek word for perilous, *chalepos – hard to do or bear, 5467xalepós (an adjective, derived from xaleptō, “to oppress, annoy,” J. Thayer) – properly, irksomely hard to bear (LS); fiercely difficult to cope with because so harsh (even injurious). Kinda what we are seeing and experiencing today, isn’t it?
Titus 2:11-12 (NIV) – “For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. 12 It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age,” Well, the Bible does teach us how we should live and be. Self-controlled, upright and live godly lives. But we need each other, we need encouragement from each other as Paul encouraged the people of Corinth and as he received letters of encouragement from the people whilst in prison.
The book of Titus goes on to say in verse 13, “… while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, there is Hope. Hope for the soul, Hebrews 6:19 – “We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure …”
It’s hard not to be discouraged and just sad at the events that take place, the headlines, the social media posts, the injustice. And the Bible does tell us to not be discouraged. Joshua 1:19 reminds of that as well as Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” There’s that word again, hope. We have HOPE! And that HOPE will be with us wherever we go! The future I believe is our home in Heaven and for the present day, God has plans for us today, to live self controlled and upright godly lives. If we just love the Lord our God and our neighbor, the rest falls into place.
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.“
Joshua 1:9 (NIV)
It sounds simple, huh? It is and it isn’t. Seek God and His Word for answers and comfort. And I encourage to seek counseling. There are many Christian counselors out there and meetings can be done remotely. If we try to do it in our own strength we won’t make it. There will be days we want to lash out, scream, shout, ggggrrrrrr! It’s not easy some days. We need encouragement in these terrible, perilous times. We don’t have to like it or agree with it. We need to resolve with ourselves to lead godly and upright lives. And we can only do that by walking with God and by encouraging each other.
Hope: “to look forward to with desire and reasonable confidence..” (Dictionary.com)
Anchor: “any of various devices dropped by a chain, cable, or rope to the bottom of a body of water for preventing or restricting the motion of a vessel or other floating object, typically having broad, hooklike arms that bury themselves in the bottom to provide a firm hold. (Dictionary.com)
We can’t see hope. It’s invisible, intangible, and hidden from our eyes. How can we compare hope to an anchor which we can see; something tangible, heavy, rusty, and they sink to the bottom of the ocean. Let’s try to unfurl this sail to get a more clear comparison.
When Paul wrote the book of Hebrews, he wasn’t saying that hope is literally like an anchor. Paul is comparing what an anchor does for ships to what hope can does for us, for our hearts. An anchor provides stability for the ship that is being tossed around on a turbulent ocean, holding the ship steady and keeping it on course. And interestingly, an anchor is working when it is not seen, much like our Hope, Jesus, who is unseen. “Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” – John 20:29 (NIV). When the anchor is under the water and pitched into the ocean floor it’s “providing a firm hold,” that’s when it’s working!
“This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast.”
Hebrews 6:19 (NKJV)
God is our Anchor, He is our Hope! We can’t see God but we are assured of His presence by His Word, when we see the stars in the night sky, and when we see all of creation.
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, …” John 1:1
“In the beginning God created…” Genesis 1:1
“I will never leave you or forsake you.”Deuteronomy 31:8, there are at least 100 verses about God never leaving us or forsaking us.
God goes before us in our trials. He sees the storm before it is formed. He is waiting for us at the victory line. In the midst of the trials and at finish line, God is working in the unseen, behind the scenes. I know it can be hard to trust sometimes. We can trust God when we are anchored in Him. He is our only hope in this world. He is our hope for spending eternity in Heaven with Him. Not our works, not our good deeds, because let’s face it there is nothing good in us, we have all fallen short, missed the mark. Romans 3:23 – “… for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” But it’s the shed blood of God’s only begotten Son, Jesus that can bridge the gap to get us to Heaven.
God knew before the beginning of time we as sinners were going to need a Savior to save us from the penalty of sin, hell, eternal separation from God. He saw what we needed. He sent His one and only Son to die on a cross for our sins and rise from the grave on the third day. Not only did God provide a sacrifice for us, a way to enter His kingdom, He is providing more! John 14:3 – And when (if) I go and make ready a place for you, I will come back again and will take you to Myself, that where I am you may be also. (AMPC) He is preparing Heaven for us!!! More than we can imagine! More than we can ask. Who wants to spend eternity in hell separated from God? Who doesn’t want to spend eternity with God in all His glory where there is no more sin, no more sorrow, no more pain, where all the injustices are made right?
In what are you anchored? Where do drop your anchor? In your deeds? Your wealth? Your health? Relationships? Possessions? Career? All those things can be gone in a flash. But if we are anchored in God’s Word, that will never pass away, Matthew 24:35 – “Sky and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away.” (AMPC)
In Part 1, we saw how God is omniscient, He knows all. He knew us when we were being formed in our mother’s womb, He currently knows how many hairs we have on our head and He has plans to give us hope and a future. In Part 2, we saw how He goes before us in the future. He is already there waiting for us, how the ultimate plan and provision for us is a home in eternity with Him.
Here in Part 3 there is still hope for our future when we experience failure or unexpected events in life. In the book of Daniel chapter 3, we see his three friends Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego tossed into a fiery furnace for remaining faithful to God. King Nebuchadnezzer was ruler of Babylon during that time. He had an image made of goldIf we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us[a] from Your Majesty’s hand. King Nebuchadnezzer commanded that anytime the people heard the sound of instruments the people were to bow down and worship the image of gold.
“However, as it is written:“What no eye has seen,what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceivethe things God has prepared for those who love him”
I Corinthians 2:9
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refused to obey King Nebuchadnezzer and remain faithful to God. So King Nebuchadnezzer had them thrown into a fiery furnace. Standing up for what they believe in, honoring God and they are thrown into a blazing furnace? You may be saying,”How is that fair?” Well, no that’s not fair in our human perspective and life is not fair. And we should obey the authorities place over us. However, if those authorities are asking one to go against what God’s Word says, then one needs to make a choice. These guys KNEW, Daniel 3:17 – “If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand.” They knew EVEN IF, they were thrown into the furnace, God would take care of them. And God did. They came out unharmed! They didn’t even smell of smoke!!! Not a hair on their head that God has counted was singed!!!
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego knew that no matter how God took care of them they would be ok. “Even if, ” even if things don’t work out like we expect, God has a plan. He will either remove the issue from us, provide a way around it or walk with us through it.
I Corinthians 2:9 – “However, as it is written:“What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceive the things God has prepared for those who love him”
And in Ephesians 3:20 “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.
Our world has been turned upside down. Lives have been disrupted. Crazy things happening all around us. The future can look bleak. But, there is still hope for our future. The God we serve will deliver us. We just need to remain faithful to God our Father. He has the answers and He will provide.
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In the last post we saw that God knows ALL, nothing goes unnoticed by Him, He views the ends of the Earth; Job 28:24. We saw how He knows us personally. Before we were born; Psalm 139:13, presently; He knows the number of hairs on our head; Matthew 10:30, and He knows us in the future; Jeremiah 29:11.
Let’s look how He cares for us, how He goes before us and is ready to meet us.
Do Not Worry about Tomorrow
Luke 12:22-2622 “Then Jesus said to his disciples: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. 23 For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. 24 Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! 25 Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? 26 Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?”
Such an easy trap to fall into, zapping us of any joy. Be present, be in the moment, most of all “be still” Psalm 46:10; ” Be still and know that I am God…” If God goes before us, Deuteronomy 31:8 “The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; then He KNOWS what we need before we do..”, then He knows what we are going need before we even ask, Matthew 6:8; “…for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.” Notice, what we NEED not what we want; Philippians 4:19, “And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.”
While it’s good to plan and prepare responsibly, it’s bad to dwell and worry about all the ways our planning could go wrong.
…”I am going to prepare a place for you…”
John 14:2
A few years ago, I came across an article where a man renovated a house he bought and prepared it for his wife and family. A wife and family he didn’t have, yet. He thought of every detail to accommodate his future family. In the master bedroom closet he designed spaces for high heeled shoes and in the master bath he had the drawers lined with velvet for jewelry. He also designed furniture and cabinetry to accommodate his height of 6’3″ as well as a woman around 5’7″. Here’s a link to the story: https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052702303916904577378073585064442 (unfortunately as of 7/17/25 you will need a subscription the Wall Street Journal)
How much more does our Heavenly Father care for us? How much more does He KNOW about us than we do? In fact, God does the same thing for us. John 14:2-; “My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.” WOW!!! There’s a whole story behind that verse too, but for another post.
That’s some Hope for the future. God knows! He Knows all, He knows our needs before we ask. If this guy can create a home for a family he doesn’t have, how much more can our Heavenly Father who is omniscient, omnipotent and omnipresent take care of us?!!!
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Seashore Under White and Blue Sky during Sunset by Pixabay
F.E.A.R. – False Evidence Appearing Real.
The Bible tells us repeatedly, “Do not be afraid” and “fear not,” etc. These phrases appear over three hundred times in the Bible. Some may argue 365 times, one for every day of the year. Fear can be describes as:
bondage – Romans 8:15
torment – 1 John 4:18
a snare – Proverbs 29:25
Other time scripture tells us “do not be discouraged” along with “do not be afraid” – torn apart or panicked.
The believer is provided with a long list of thing in which worry is not needed:
enemies – Deuteronomy 1:21
provisions – Matthew 6:25
other gods – 2 Kings 17:35
death – Psalms 23:4
armies and wars – Psalms 27:3
separation – Psalms 71:24
evil days – Psalms 49:5
children – Psalms 127:3
the future – Psalm 139:1-6
sudden terror – Proverbs 3:25-26
safety – Matthew 10:28
events beyond our control – Matthew 8:26
heath – 2 Corinthians 12:7-20
fearful thoughts – Philippians 4:6-7
word of others – 1 Peter 3:14
suffering – Revelation 2:10
“… BEHOLD, THE VIRGIN SHALL BE WITH CHILD AND SHALL BEAR A SON, AND THEY SHALL CALL HIS NAME IMMANUEL,” which translated means, “GOD WITH US.”
Matthew 1:22-23
Scripture also provides believers with reason to not be fearful or worry:
We are His creation – Isaiah 44:2
We are loved – Exodus 14:13
He is your helper – Hebrews 13:6
We are more valuable than the sparrow Luke 12:7
And the number one reason we don’t need to worry is God’s presence!
Genesis 26:24
Deuteronomy 31:8
Romans 8:15
We don’t need to ask for God to be present with us. He already is! Emmanuel – God with us!!! We have His word on it, literally – Matthew 1:22-23, Isaiah 7:14. What we need to ask is to be aware of His presence. By remembering His faithfulness in the past – Deuteronomy 7:18-19. Remembering His faithfulness in the past will invoke awareness of His presence.
F.E.A.R. is just a lie. When we acknowledge our fear, we deprive it of its power. When we acknowledge God is present with us we not only banish fear, He strengthens our faith.
“… My presence shall go with you, and I will give you rest.”
Job 28:24 ” For he views the ends of the earth and sees everything under the heavens.”
Nothing. Nothing goes unnoticed by God. He is omniscient! Sometimes that’s hard to grasp when we see everything around us just crumbling and it seems like God isn’t doing anything. But He is and He knows, ALL!
He makes Job 28:24 personal. He knows all about us, each and everyone of us. Let’s take a look at a few verses.
He knew me in the past, before I was born.
Psalm 139:13 – “For you created my inmost being; knit me together in my mother’s womb.”
He knows me in the present.
Matthew 10:30 – ” And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Luke 12:7 -“Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.”
He knows me in the future.
Jeremiah 29:11 – “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans (thoughts) to give you give you a HOPE and a future.“Deuteronomy 31:8 -The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”
He knew me when I was being formed in my mother’s womb. He was there with me. And He not only knows the number of hairs on my head, he knows how many are gray, how many are colored and what colors they are. After all He did put them there, well not the colored ones. And He is already there in my future. And He knows all about each and everyone one of us!! He gave us life; He created us.
It may feel like God is so far removed from the evil that is taking place right now in this world and it may feel like God has abandoned you, us. But it’s not God. It’s us. It’s me. It’s you and I who have distanced ourselves from Him.
1 Corinthians 2:9 – “However, as it is written: ‘What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived’ — the things God has prepared for those who love him.” God is still working behind the scenes. He is still with us and He will never leave us or forsake us.
Deuteronomy 31:6 – “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.
We need to draw near to God and He will draw near to us and give us rest; an added bonus.
James 4:8 – “Come near to God and he will come near to you…”
Matthew 11:28 – “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” We need to seek God in the midst of our trials and in the midst of the chaos around us.
We can’t know all that God knows. We have to trust in His sovereignty. He is omniscient, omnipotent, and omnipresent. He views the ends of the earth. We may not always feel His presence, but we can become aware of His presence and KNOW that He is near and with us.
Is there hope in injustice? What do you feel when you see injustice? How do you react when you feel you are being treated unjustly? The only thing I know to do is to pray. I pray that God will thwart the evil plans in that particular situation.
Our society is changing in such a way that morals that were once considered bad are now good and what was once considered good is now bad. It’s not right. 2 Timothy 3:1-5, tells us that in the last days, people will become lovers of self, abusive, ungrateful, unappeasable, the list goes on. We see a lot of what Timothy describes in these verses today; a lot of injustice.
Often I wonder how to pray as prophecy unfolds before our eyes. The Bible has many books and passages of prophesy. The books of Daniel and Isaiah are filled with prophesy. Isaiah 7:14 -“Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.” Isaiah 52 -53 speaks of Jesus’ death and resurrection, both which take place in the New Testament. I do believe we are on the fringes of the end times. And we see so many people being rewarded because they are offended. That’s just not right. So how does one pray against what is to unfold. And there are bigger things to unfold. The Bible is full of prophecy that has already unfolded as we see in his birth, so there is no denying that the rest is going to come to pass.
As I opened my Bible, it fell open to;
Job 42 :1-2 “Then Job replied to the Lord: I know that you can do all things; no purpose of yours can be thwarted. “
Job. Now there is some unjustness. Job lost everything; his health, his family, his wealth, and his possessions. And, God allowed it. But you have to read the whole story. In the end God does restore Job, his health, his family and his wealth. God alone runs the universe, nothing goes unseen:
Genesis 1:1– “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. ” Psalm 22:28 -“For the kingdom is the Lord’s and he rules over the nations.” Colossians 1:17 “He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.” Isaiah 45:12 “it is I who made the earth and created mankind on it …” Job 28:24 -“For he views the ends of the earth and sees everything.”
God is in control although he doesn’t control our free will, which he gave us. He can still use everything for the good of those who love him (Romans 8:28). Joseph in Genesis 37 is another good example – Joseph was sold as a slave by his own brothers. His brothers were jealous of him for Joseph was favored by his father. I’m sure Joseph prayed to God to return him back to his family, but maybe not after the way he was treated. But God was with Joseph and gave him success in whatever he did (Genesis 39:23). Joseph became second in command to Pharaoh. If you haven’t read it, I highly recommend you do, it’s an amazing passage! So I realized that praying to stop evil in some cases is pointless. God gave us free will so I can’t control what someone else will do. However, God is in control. Genesis 50:20 – “you intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.
The injustice Joseph faced in Genesis, God used for his good and to save many lives. God controls everything. He can use evil for his good or his plan to fulfill his purpose.
Perhaps a better prayer I could pray is “Lord, use the evil and injustice against me for your glory.” As a prophecy continues to unfold we can pray for the comfort and protection of other Christians and salvation of the lost. God can and will use the evil, in what I believe to be the early stages of end times, for his glory and to bring others to him. Besides if you have read Revelation, you know how it all ends; God wins, justice wins, the earth and humanity are restored to its former glory and to perfection once again! Revelation 21:4 “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”
We can pray for encouragement for all believers, for safety, and we already know that God is with us – Emmanuel. So we can also pray that as we and our fellow believers continue to walk with Emanuel, we would be more aware of his presence, and encourage each other to be obedient to God’s voice and his word.
1 Thessalonians 5:11 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.
Injustices are going to happen, it’s a fact of life in this fallen world. How we pray and encourage others in their injustices makes a difference in how we can look forward to answered prayer. Isaiah 55:8-9 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,”declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” We may not expect the outcome God has for that situation, but I can guarantee it will be for our good and His glory.
How can we encourage others and find hope? Encourage others to be obedient to God’s word and his still small voice. Encourage others to pray and pray with others. Prayer is the only weapon I know of to combat evil. As God’s children the enemy never has the last word in our lives. God does and with that we can rest safely, secure in his hands. He is our only HOPE!
“In the beginning God created…” Genesis 1:1 
The Kedge Anchor 
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