Anchored

Anchored 

We suffer, we all suffer to some extent

The old question “if God is good then why is there suffering in the world?”

We hear of sisters Blair and Brooke, who died still holding hands when found from the Texas flood at Christian Camp Mystic

Local pastor age Rob 51, esophageal cancer, recently died, writes an encouragement last note to the church on Hope eternal.

Neighbor has best friend cutting grass on a mower falls over a bank -now gone, neighbor helped dig him out, Travis still having his gold cross that they got when they were saved from their wayward lives.

We live in a broken world, but our hope we have in our suffering is that we are anchored- Anchored by God, who says:

 “When someone is hurting or brokenhearted, the Eternal moves in close and revives him in his pain.” (Psalm 34:18)

Anchored –

 “Now I’m sure of this: the sufferings we endure now are not even worth comparing to the glory that is coming and will be revealed in us.” Romans 8:18.

But anchored in our suffering:

“But God remembered Noah.

 Sent wind to blow over all the earth and the waters began to subside.”1

In suffering, we gasp for life, but hear:

“Don’t worry – I will guide you.

 I have plans to make a great people from your descendants.”2 

Look around you -North, South, East, and West.

“Do not be afraid –

 I am always your shield and protector. 

Your reward for loyalty and trust will be immense.”3

God sees you and anchors you and your suffering.

“I’m going to call you the God of Seeing. 

Well of the Living One who watches over me”.4

Without hope or sight, we hear:

“Is anything too difficult for the Eternal one to accomplish?”5

Light on cash, vision for the future, or seeing family through hard times?

“The eternal one will provide, 

I will reaffirm my covenant of blessings to you and your family.” 6

Surprised – in awe of fleeting time, we leave as we came, taking nothing of the wealth with us.

“Sarah reached the end of her life. She was 127 years old.” 7

That’s all that is recorded of a very full and important life. 

Sarah's life who is in the genealogy of our Savior, 

The One who brings purpose out of pain

and where suffering does not have the last word

“Oh, that, as a cloud ascending

  Upwards to the skies above,

We may rise, and with unending

  Rapture realise Thy Love!”

( Ann Griffiths , Hymn VI)

Bible version shared Voice

1. Genesis 8:1

2. Genesis 12:1

3. Genesis 15:1

4. Genesis 16:13,14

5. Genesis 18:14

6. Genesis 22:14,17

7. Genesis 23:1

"Now we have this hope
 as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul 
it cannot slip and it cannot break down under whoever steps out upon it—

a hope that reaches farther 

and enters into the very certainty of the Presence within the veil," 

Hebrews 6:19 (AMP)

Watching Over Me

You thought I was to die for

 

It could’ve been like any other ordinary morning 

Soon realizing that “Jesus was not here but raised”

The viburnum, arrowwood fragrance in the air

When we arrive, “we would see the stone rolled away in spite of its weight and size”

Dogwood blossoming -affection and new life

“Why are you seeking the living one in a place of the dead?”

                                 

Red bud blossoming in the background 

“After hearing these words, she turned around and Jesus stood before her”

Aspens quaking -“I give you the gift of peace”

New daffodils - “He drew close enough for them to feel his breath”

Hydrangea new growth with the old - 

“He breathed on them…

welcoming the Holy Spirit of the living God”

No ordinary day at all

“You thought I was worth saving 

So, You came and changed my life

You thought I was worth keeping 

So, You cleaned me up inside 

You thought I was to die for”

Worth - Anthony Brown

Worth - Spotify