anchor of our souls

"When evening came, his disciples went down to the sea, got into a boat, and started across the sea to Capernaum. It was now dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them. The sea became rough because a strong wind was blowing. When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and coming near the boat, and they were frightened. But he said to them,“It is I; do not be afraid.” Then they were glad to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land to which they were going.” John 6:16-21

Why did Jesus wait to come? Why did Jesus allow the storm?

Jesus could have easily stopped the storm or even prevented it from happening(for He walked upon the very storm the disciples were in), he could have came when it was still light, he could have even been there when they got in the boat at the beginning—-but He waited. He waited until it was dark, He waited for the storm to come, He waited for all hope to seem lost outside of Him, and He simply waited. 

Jesus allowed the disciples to go through this in order that they would see Him in His true light. He allowed them to row for 3 or 4 miles so that they would see their great need for a savior. Their need for Him. 

Our God only allows that which will draw us closer to Himself. He will not allow us to ever be defeated when we keep our eyes on Him. He will not forsake us. He is the anchor to our boats, the anchor of our souls. 

"Then they were glad to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land to which they were going." As soon as Jesus came, they arrived to where they were going. And they arrived with a new-found hope and picture of who Christ is and what He has bestowed upon those who are called His children. 

Take hope and joy during the darkness and the storms that Jesus, the true anchor of our souls and perfecter of our faith, is drawing us to Himself. And is waiting for His perfect timing to get into the boat. 

"For when God made a promise to Abraham, since he had no one greater by whom to swear, he swore by himself, saying, “Surely I will bless you and multiply you.” And thus Abraham, having patiently waited, obtained the promise. For people swear by something greater than themselves, and in all their disputes an oath is final for confirmation. So when God desired to show more convincingly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable character of his purpose, he guaranteed it with an oath, so that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us. We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain, where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.” Hebrews 6:13-20