Where is Your anchor?
Luke 21:20-28
20 “When you see Jerusalem being surrounded by armies, you will know that its desolation is near. 21 Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those in the city get out, and let those in the country not enter the city. 22 For this is the time of punishment in fulfillment of all that has been written. 23 How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers! There will be great distress in the land and wrath against this people. 24 They will fall by the sword and will be taken as prisoners to all the nations. Jerusalem will be trampled on by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.
25 “There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. 26 People will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken. 27 At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”
The world will end – here Jesus describes that there is an endpoint to this world. There will be signs to tell us it is coming. The picture here is of chaos and great pain.
It doesn’t have to be the end of the world for it to feel like life is nothing but chaos and pain.
Where is our anchor in those times? It is in Jesus our redeemer. We have confidence he is with us and is mighty to save because he has bought us back with an incredible price. I love the picture of people who trust in the Lord in verse 28 – “when these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” Don’t be cowering and worried, thinking ”will I be saved?” Rather, stand confidently trusting in our Saviour Jesus. We know that we are redeemed by the precious blood of the Lamb (Ephesians 1:7). There is nothing else that can save, now or at the end of time. Our redemption is secure, it is a certainty because God has done it.
As Isaiah prophesied so long ago “I am the Lord, and apart from me there is no saviour” (Isaiah 43:11).
How will I answer when someone asks, “How can you be sure you are going to heaven when you die?” I am sure because I trust in the God who has redeemed me. It isn’t guesswork or being hopeful – I am confident!
Dear Lord Jesus, I’m trusting in your death for me that I am redeemed – I am bought back like a slave in ancient times, to be free, to live forever in eternity with you. How can I thank you? Amen
Written by Claire Moore