Sometimes, it’s important to put down an anchor when the boat is fighting strong winds, turbulent waves, and moving off course.
We need anchors for our soul through turbulence, as well. Instead of reaching for something new, it’s powerful to reach for something old, tried, true through the course of time.
I’m talking about an old hymnal.
I bought this old treasure at an antique store for $5.00. To me, it’s worth thousands or more.
Why?
Because each of these old spiritual songs and hymns has me think on things upright, noble, full of goodness, and true. These trustworthy thoughts wash my chaotic mind, . . . immediately.
Instantly, these songs of praise lift me above my circumstance, and hope and truth set me free.
Find a hymnal! Open its pages. Read aloud the rich, solid words.
When I open the pages and read titles and phrases, I’m changed.
The first page of this treasure, Voice of Praise by Broadman Press, 1947 calms my raging mind with Crown Him with Many Crowns by Matthew Bridges and Doxology by Thomas Ken.
As the “nations rage and the people plot in vain” (Psalm 2),
We can regain focus on God through the rock, solid words of faith, hope, and truth in an old hymnal:
Crown him with many crowns,
the Lamb upon his throne.
Hark! how the heavenly anthem drowns
all music but its own.
Immediate refocus on the King of kings this anchor of hymns brings:
Awake, my soul, and sing
of him who died for thee,
and hail him as thy matchless king
through all eternity.
It’s true, if I think about the world and all its affairs without the proper balance of meditation on the Lord, I’m sunk in despair, sadness, and gloom. But this hymn of praise anchors my soul to remember, my life, no matter what, is in His hands:
Crown him the Lord of life,
who triumphed o’er the grave,
and rose victorious in the strife
for those he came to save;
He came to save all who would believe in the name of Jesus Christ. And for all who receive His great love and salvation:
his glories now we sing
who died and rose on high,
who died eternal life to bring,
and lives that death may die.
What glorious assurance this hymn of praise brings, “the death” of death.
This is why every believer can sing the Doxology with all their heart in the power of the Spirit:
Praise God, from Whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heav’nly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. (Thomas Ken.)
If you haven’t received Jesus in your life. He’s only a prayer away. He did the work on the cross. He paid each of our debts on the cross. You can be free and forgiven when you believe in Jesus. Talk with Him today. Open a hymnal, read the Bible and grow in His love and grace.
For those of us who believe, let’s keep our anchors in praise and focus on the Word of God.
Jesus is the anchor of our souls. Now. And forever. And, forever is a long time!
(My granddaughter had fun with some watercolors. I added some “notes” from my hymnal.)
“Dear Lord, keep of focused to praise You, in Jesus name. Amen.”
I pray today is the first day of the rest of your “eternal” life! Let someone know if you have asked Jesus to come into your life to make you new, today.