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"We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where Jesus, who went before us, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek" ( Hebrews 6:19-20 )

Anchors have been around since the beginning of nautical travel. An anchor holds a ship in place in the midst of the most tumultuous seas. This has always been a safeguard for vessels keeping them from being thrown to shore in the middle of a storm.

As believers we also have an anchor that is steadfast and secure, it is hope. This hope is placed upon Jesus Christ himself. This is because this hope rests on God’s promise to Abraham and the oath taken that this promise would come to pass ( Hebrews 6:13-18 ). Since the two, the promise and the oath, are intermingled and dependent on each other, we know that our hope is steadfast and secure. This acts as an anchor for our soul keeping our hearts at rest so they cannot be tossed about or dislodged from a place of peace.

This hope ushers us into the very presence of God, behind the veil and into the Holy of Holies. In the past, the High Priest was able to enter into God’s presence once a year with the sacrifice for atonement. There were many regulations that first had to be met. The High Priest did not enter in with confidence. In fact, the High Priest had to take a censer of coals and incense with him so the smoke would cover the mercy seat to shield him from seeing it, lest he die ( Leviticus 16:12-13 ). This was sacred ground because God was present. Now, we have a hope that brings us into the very presence of God, a way opened up and paved by Jesus. Unlike the Israel’s High Priest, we are to enter boldly, “Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need” ( Hebrews 4:16 ).

In fulfillment of both the promise to Abraham and the oath taken by God that it would come to pass, we have been invited to this place that was never accessible before. This is because Jesus went before us and operates as our High Priest before God having made atonement for us. “Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful” ( Hebrews 10:19-23 ).

The reason we can enter boldly into the Holy of Holies is because Jesus is there waiting to welcome us. His blood has removed all traces of sin making us clean ( Hebrews 7:27; Hebrews 8:11-12; Hebrews 9:26; Hebrews 10:10, Hebrews 10:12, Hebrews 10:14, Hebrews 10:18 ). As High Priest he makes intercession before God on our behalf ( Hebrews 7:16; Hebrews 7:25, Hebrews 9:24; Hebrews 10:19-21 ).  He eternally holds the rank of Melchizedek ( Hebrews 5:6; Hebrews 7:16, Hebrews 7:24, Hebrews 7:28 ) and has fulfilled the promise made to Abraham that through his Seed a great nation would be born ( Galatians 3:16-17 ). As believers, we are the result of that promise. All of this combined gives us the hope needed to enter into God’s presence. This is the anchor for our soul keeping us steadfast and secure no matter what life holds.