A Day-by-day devotional

January 22, 2023

Anchor in Jesus

Chronological One Year Bible Reading Plan: Genesis 39-41

Scripture of the Day: Lamentations 3:22-26

Before my friend Patie moved to continue her studies in Greifswald, a city north of Germany, she sang the hymn ‘Great Is Thy Faithfulness’ at church. The song which was written by Thomas Chisholm with music composed by William M. Runyan contains, in part, the following lines:

“Great is Thy faithfulness

Morning by morning new mercies I see

All I have needed Thy hand hath provided

Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me.”

When I visited Patie up north, we went to Rostock. The place has got a lovely beach area with lighthouses. While we were strolling along the beach, we talked about anchors, surging waves, the lighthouse, among many other things. But we always ended up talking about the one to whom we should be anchored, the one who gets us through the waves, the one who lights our path – our Lord Jesus. While walking, we also sang ‘Great is Thy Faithfulness’ to commemorate the various instances that God had seen us through tough and terrible times.

Apart from sharing the same faith, my friend Patie and I are also both biologists. Aside from these two things, however, one other major thing we share is the experiential knowledge of God’s faithfulness in our lives. There had been times when we failed to be faithful to Him, yet the Lord remained faithful. In fact, He renews His promises each morning when we open our eyes to the wonder of a new day.

Before we parted ways, Patie gifted me with a memo holder that came in the form of an anchor. She got a similar one for herself. In that way, we would both be reminded, each time we looked at the anchor, that our plans, hopes, dreams, and in fact, our very lives, need to be anchored to the one who would always remain faithful – God!

Reflection: Have you ever doubted God’s faithfulness that you received the shock of your life when He came to your rescue? Sometimes, a season of waiting would make us think and believe that He has forgotten us. But He never will. He is faithful!

Prayer: Lord, I thank you that you are an ever faithful God, always true to your word and promises. Forgive me for my lack of faithfulness to you. Keep me always anchored to you and do not let me slip away. Amen.