"Then fearing lest we should have fallen upon rocks, they cast four anchors out of the stern and wished for the day." Acts 27:29

For fourteen days, the wind and crashing waves had bombarded the ship. They cast everything they could spare overboard. Fear filled their hearts. It looked like all hope was gone. But one man among the two hundred and seventy-six aboard had a promise that he would reach Rome. In the night, God appeared to Paul with a message:

Verse 23-26 "For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve, Saying, Fear not, Paul; thou must be brought before Caesar: and, lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee. Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me. Howbeit we must be cast upon a certain island."

That night, realizing they were nearing land, they put down four anchors to hold the ship steady until daylight came. As the crew tried to escape in the lifeboat, Paul warned them that only those who stayed with the ship would survive. As day dawned, they saw a way they could reach land, so they raised the anchors and steered for shore. Even though the ship broke apart, everyone on board made it safely.

Storms will come. Winds of difficulty will rise. Waves of life will sometimes overwhelm us. But when we submit our lives to Jesus Christ, we have an anchor that keeps us steadfast. We have His promise to never leave nor forsake us. He will always keep His promises.

Philippians 1:6 "Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ."

During the time of Roman persecution, early Christians used the anchor as a symbol to represent their faith, because it resembles a cross.

What do the four anchors mentioned in the above verses represent? Join me for the next few days as we look at what they could mean to us as followers of Jesus.

Thought For Today: "In every high and stormy gale, my anchor holds within the veil."

Devotion by: Anne Johnston