A Sure and Steadfast Anchor

finding hope in the darkness

Mar 03, 2026

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 6:16-20 English Standard Version).

The nations are raging again. They pursue dominion and power, plotting to rule according to their own wills and desires. In their wake is fear, uncertainty, and distrust. Corruption runs rampant through governments and corporations, and the people pay the price. Where is hope in evil times?

Our times are not unique in world history. War, conquest, and corruption mark the human story. Empires rise and fall, yet we remain, wondering how long it will be before there is peace on earth.

Power and the quest for it drive nations to attack and colonize. World leaders often share a single goal: more glory, more influence, more land, more resources, and more renown. They make themselves gods and demand praise for their deeds.

God sees them. He knows their folly. The psalmist said that He responds first with laughter, then with righteous anger. The current rulers who set themselves above the Lord will follow their predecessors in evil and eventual destruction. The kingdoms of this world may counsel together in rebellion against the Creator, but His sovereignty will prevail.

He who sits in the heavens laughs;

the Lord holds them in derision (Psalm 2:4 ESV).

It would be easy to look at the chaos in the world and lose hope. If the nations rage and the people plot evil, how do we move forward as believers, spouses, parents, children, and friends? How do we avoid becoming overwhelmed by the darkness that encircles us?

The psalmist pointed to the Messiah, the Son of God who will one day break the kings of the earth and rule in righteousness. Those who take refuge in Him will be secure. When will this promise be kept? No one knows the day or hour, but the One who entered into humanity once will return in glory and power to accomplish destruction of evil forever.

For now, we who trust in the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and recognize Jesus as the Son foretold in Psalm 2 can live in the knowledge that God keeps His word. He swore on Himself—because there is nothing greater—that His goodness is unchangeable. Jesus goes before us, having faced the vilest evil and emerged victorious over sin and death. Our hope is a sure and steadfast anchor in the middle of the dark.

How can we recognize that hope?

It looks like a row of plants on a window in Kyiv after four years of constant bombardment. It sounds like a daughter singing her grief to a Father whose presence is real. It feels like the hug of a friend whom you haven’t seen in ages, but pick up again right where you left off. It’s in the family home whose walls echo with generations of prayers. It’s looking away from the headlines and into the colors of nature, put in place by the Creator for us to enjoy.

Jesus, our hope and companion. The promise made in a garden and kept in an empty tomb. Let the nations rage. We have a refuge.

Defaulting to Grace

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