Week 2 // What Anchors You?

The Bible uses many metaphors to describe how we anchor ourselves in the Lord. In the Old Testament, Psalm 1 uses a tree to describe the process of seed, soil, water, and sun as the way the Lord anchors us in His kingdom. In the New Testament, Luke 6 describes the pouring of a foundation–water and cement mixing and hardening in order that we become immovable and unshakeable regardless of the elements that surround us. It is below the surface that the foundation, the anchor for a life devoted to the Lord and His kingdom work is laid.

Both of these biblical illustrations speak to what happens underground and are reflective of our private life. In our private life, we grab a hold of God through worship, reading, and praying. Just like a tree’s roots grab hold of the soil and anchor the tree, the process of being rooted is vital to our private health and our long-term public fruitfulness.

In the book of Genesis, we see Jacob anchoring himself in God by “wrestling” when he was alone (Genesis 32:22-32)–it was a messy, arduous process for him. He was broken to the point that he went from being a man who lived for himself to being a man who lived for God. Hannah “wept” (1 Samuel 1:7-13)–she was seeking God and needed answers. All the while, God was birthing a level of surrender in her that would bring about a son who would change the course of a nation. Paul described his anchoring process as “a mother travailing in birth”–a painful, yet eternally rewarding act.

If we are “rooted and built up in Him” (Colossians 2:7), then we will bear fruit and our house will withstand the storms. This is how we can experience the abundant life that only Jesus can give. This abundant life can only be experienced as we continually anchor in Him! H.A. Ironside once said, “We cannot live the life until first we possess it.”

Questions for Meditation 

1. When the root of a tree grabs the earth, they start to make it possible for something to grow, stand and bear fruit. What does the Bible promise will happen in our lives when we grab a hold of God and anchor ourselves in Him?
2. Proverbs 12:3 says, “Wickedness never brings stability, but the godly have deep roots.” What is the purpose of the anchor root, which we learned about this week?
3. The first way we anchor our lives is through Lordship. What are some ways that we, at times, can neglect God’s Lordship? And how do we properly live our lives under His Lordship?
4. The second way that we anchor our lives is by going to Him. When we go to Him, He anchors us – but if we go anywhere else, there is no guarantee that we will be anchored at all! What are some other ways and places in which we are drawn to anchor ourselves?
5. The third way we anchor our lives is by going deep. For trees, why is it specifically important that roots grow deep into the soil? How is that similar in our spiritual walk?
6. What are some specific ways that you can go deeper in your walk with God?