Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast and which entereth into that within the veil; Hebrews 6:19.

When Christopher Columbus sailed across the ocean to the new world it is believed he may have had as many as eight anchors on each ship.

Why so many anchors?

In those days, anchors were not made of good material and they would often break. There are many people today that trust their soul to many weak anchors.

Webster gave these definitions of an anchor, &#8220A heavy object usually a shaped iron weight with flakes, lowered by cable or chain to the bottom of water to keep a ship from drifting any device that holds something else secure, anything that gives or seems to give stability or security.”

What is it that brings stability or security to your life? Our text says that Jesus is our hope and that he is both sure and steadfast.

He can keep our soul from drifting away from Him by the chain of hope being secured to the anchor called Jesus, which is fastened to the promises of God. Let us look at three things that are not an anchor of hope for the soul.

1. Religion is not an anchor of hope for the soul because when the thing or person you put your trust in fails you or dies you are left without any hope.

2. Wealth is not an anchor of hope for the soul because Jesus asked in Matthew 16:26 - For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

King Solomon said in Proverbs 11:28: &#8220He that trusteth in his riches shall fall; but the righteous shall flourish as a branch.”

3. Education is not an anchor of hope for the soul because one can lose their mind and

all that they had ever learned is lost.

King Nebuchadnezzar was a great conqueror and was the head of the Babylonian Empire; but when pride filled his heart from all his accomplishments he boasted in Daniel 4:30

&#8220… Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for the house of the kingdom by the might of my power, and for the honour of my majesty?”

Nebuchadnezzar's mind was taken from him for seven years and it was not until he looked up, as to acknowledge there was a God in heaven, that his mind returned to him and he took back over the kingdom.

What makes Jesus such a great anchor of hope for our soul?

1. &#8220Although He died He arose for our justification” - Romans 4:25.

2. &#8220Although He was rich yet for our sake He became poor” - 2 Corinthians 8:9.

&#8220Although He never attended formal schooling He could still confound the doctors of His day when only twelve years old” - Luke 2:46-47.

The Bible is very clear that Jesus is the only way to Heaven - Acts 4:12 - &#8220Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”

If you feel that your soul is drifting away from God, call on Jesus and ask Him to forgive you of your sins and He will forgive you today.

Romans 10:9 says, &#8220for whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

Jeff Cremeans is pastor of Ironton City Mission Church.