We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. Hebrews 6:19a NIV

So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.  I Corinthians 13:13 ESV

Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Romans 12:12 ESV

These three verses were written by Paul. In the first one he says that our hope (our confidence that God will keep His promises to us) is like an anchor. An anchor holds a boat in place in a body of water by digging into the bottom and keeping the boat from drifting too close to shore or too far away from shore.

Do you see the sailboats in the picture above? They are anchored near the coastline. The anchor holds the sailboat in a small area so that it doesn’t get too close to the shore and get stuck or get too far out to sea where the waves are rougher.

The sea, the water, is like God’s everlasting love for you. God created you. He loves you. His love surrounds you like the water surrounds the sailboat. His love helps to build your faith and your hope.

The sailboat is you and your faith in God. Faith is your belief and trust in God. Your faith, your sailboat, holds everything you know to be true about God; that He will keep His promises to you. That God will care for you and guide you. Your faith floats on God’s love.

The anchor is your hope. Hope is expecting that good things will happen in your life because you have put your trust in God. It holds your faith firmly and securely in God’s love. Your hope is your confidence that God will keep all of his promises for you. Your hope knows that God has good plans for your life. (Jeremiah 29:11)Your hope is sure that God is always with you. (Hebrews 13:5) Your hope understands that through Jesus your sins are forgiven. (Luke 7:48) Your hope realizes that one day you will have a place in heaven with God and Jesus. (Romans 6:23)

In our last verse, Paul says we should be happy in our hope, to wait patiently for God in our troubles, and to constantly talk to God in prayer.

This week draw of picture of your own faith sailboat, anchored with hope, floating on God’s everlasting sea of love. Share it with your parents and your friends. Ask your parents to help you find some more of God’s promises in the Bible.

Blessings as you sail with God through life with faith, hope and love!