This hope we have as an anchor of the soul,

.... both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil (Hebrews 6:19). “This hope,” is the hope of those who who have fled for refuge (to Christ) in order to lay hold of it (verse 18).  As the verse says, this hope is a sure hope. The Christian's hope is both a strong "desire" for something, as well as  a corresponding "expectation" of its fulfillment (Barn's notes). The particular expectation of the hope being referred to in this passage, is of our eternal rest. And the author tells “And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end” (verse 11). The diligence in question concerns the work and labor of love which the Hebrews have shown toward His name, in that they have ministered to the saints, and do minister (verse 10).

The letter to the Hebrews provides a strong caution to those who would presume on the grace of God, feeling that they can live their same self-centred pre-conversion life. The full assurance mentioned above has to do with continuance  “to the end.” It is this continuance that is the anchor to the soul,  and which gives the settled expectation and assurance of eternity. It is sure because God is not unjust to forget the labour of love (verse 10a). This is both an oath and a promise,  and both are immutable (cannot be changed or modified), for it is impossible for God to lie (verse 18).  The writer then is doing two things here, he is showing us the ground and basis for the sure and steadfast hope that is found in continuance, but he is also giving a strong warning to those who would presume on God's goodness and grace and fall away (verses 4-6).

The anchor of our hope then is found in continuance, and it behoves us to recall from where we have come. From the Amplified Bible “[Remember] that you were at that time separated (living apart) from Christ [excluded from all part in Him], utterly estranged and outlawed from the rights of Israel as a nation, and strangers with no share in the sacred compacts of the [Messianic] promise [with no knowledge of or right in God’s agreements, His covenants]. And you had no hope (no promise); you were in the world without God” (Ephesians 2:12).  So then what does it mean that we have this hope as an anchor for the soul? Hope does for the soul what an anchor does for a ship, it holds it steady in the midst of the storm, in our case, the storms of life.  But there is more in the verse, because the cable of this anchor passes behind the veil into the very presence of the God who will never let us go! Let us therefore “hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful” (10:23).

Father, I want to thank You this morning that I am born again into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for me, and that I am kept by Your power through faith for salvation which is ready to be revealed in the last time (1 Peter 1:3-5). This sure hope is indeed an anchor for my soul, and I give You glory for this and many other things in Jesus Name Amen