The Spirit Filled Life: Hope in our Waiting

Summary

Hope is a powerful gift. Take a moment to reflect on your own… what images or ideas come to your mind as you think about hope? One of the images in the Bible is an anchor. It describes the hope that we have in Jesus as an anchor. 

Hebrews 6:19-20 says: 

We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf.

Personal Reflection (10 mins)

On your own, think about the following questions:

• When a ship uses an anchor – what is the context? What does it do, and what does it not do? 
• What does this tell you about the hope of Jesus? 
• What does this speak to your heart today?

When we’re waiting, sometimes life can feel like a storm – uncertain, unknown, and harsh. Even if it doesn’t look like anything is happening in our circumstances, our souls can be tumultuous, fragile, and swayed easily. We can feel unknown and unseen. 

Group Discussion (10 mins)

In groups together, reflect on this verse and discuss:

• What does hope as an anchor for our souls mean in real life? 
• When have you known the presence of Jesus to be anchoring? What has that been like? 
• For those who have experienced this, what would your encouragement to each other be with this in mind? 

Prayer (10 mins)

Spend some time in prayer thanking God, that for all the images of hope there are, He has given us as an anchor that holds us. 

Take a moment to be quiet and bring to God the areas of your waiting, or the waiting that you may be carrying for others. Talk to God about what this feels like for you. The Psalms are full of the pain that often comes with waiting, and sometimes it can help our own hearts to join these ancient words to our own situations and find that God is not scared of our honesty, but meets us in that most sacred place as we pray: 

Psalm 13

How long, Lord? Will you forget me forever?

    How long will you hide your face from me?

How long must I wrestle with my thoughts

    and day after day have sorrow in my heart?

Join together at the end to speak these words as prayers from Psalms 27 and 130: 

Wait for the Lord;

Be strong and let your heart take courage;

Yes, wait for the Lord.

I wait for the Lord, my soul does wait,

And in His word do I hope.