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希伯来书：6: 18-20: 18藉这两件不更改的事，神决不能说谎，好叫我们这逃往避难所、持定摆在我们前头指望的人可以大得勉励。19我们有这指望，如同灵魂的锚，又坚固、又牢靠，且通入幔内。20作先锋的耶稣，既照着麦基洗德的等次成了永远的大祭司，就为我们进入幔内。
“我们有这指望，如同灵魂的锚，又坚固，又牢靠。”盼望非常重要，因为没有盼望，就只剩下失望。人们常常失去此生的盼望，因为他们把自己的锚，自己的信靠放在错误的东西上。那些认为生活成功就是盼望的人在年老时会失望，因为老年会把盼望带走。我曾经听过蒂姆·凯勒的一次证道，他谈到三个著名的娱乐明星都以自杀的方式结束自己的生命。他们一度都曾是“街谈巷议”的话题。大家都以和他们在一起为荣。而他们也从一个成功走向另一个成功，直到有一天他们不再成功，变成了如同一般人一样。在失望中他们结束了自己的生命，因为他们把灵魂之锚放在不能持久的东西上，这些东西会朽坏，玷污，衰残。（彼得前书1章4节）
上帝在耶稣基督里赐给我们灵魂之锚，在他里面的盼望永远也不会朽坏、玷污和衰残。我们的盼望就是永远生活在天堂，我会永远满足于在上帝的天国中仅仅作一名圣徒。在那里，不再有任何期望会破灭，在那里，不再因为年老而消耗我的体力。只是一名圣徒，好像万事万物都比它强。不再以那些物质的东西为乐，它们就像孩子手里的气球，要么被吹破，要么被撒气。不再因为粉丝的崇拜和阿谀奉承感到欢欣鼓舞。不再重温我的光荣岁月。不再希望自己不会老去。天堂就是我的盼望。
为什么？因为耶稣是幕布后面的锚，这个幕布将世上的生命和死后生命分隔开来。他已经进入至圣所，在那里他为我的益处统管万有，每天在上帝的宝座前为我代求。此生的荣耀总会消失殆尽，但天堂的盼望永远不会。作为信徒，我们的一只脚已经迈入天堂，因为我们的盼望是确实的，这个在基督里的盼望像锚一样坚固。
祷告：主耶稣，谢谢你带给我超越此生的盼望，谢谢你做我灵魂的锚。当生命令我失望，让我陷于失落中，让我的心仰望你，因为我确信我的盼望在于你。阿们。
Hebrews 6: 18 God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope set before us may be greatly encouraged. 19 We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, 20 where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.
“We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.” Hope is so important because without hope, there is only despair. People lose hope in this life because they put their anchor, their trust, in the wrong things. People who think that their success in life is their hope will despair when old age comes and takes their hope away. In a sermon I heard by Tim Keller, he told of three famous entertainment stars who ended their lives by committing suicide. At one time in their lives, they were the “talk of the town.” Everyone wanted to be seen with them. They moved from one success to another. Until they didn’t. Until they became just so-so. They ended their lives in despair because the anchor of their soul was placed on things that can’t last, things that perish, spoil, and fade (1 Peter 1:4).
God has given us an anchor for our soul in Jesus, a hope that will never perish, spoil, or fade. The hope we have is spending all eternity in heaven, where I will be content to just be a saint in God’s kingdom forever. No more hopes dashed in front of my eyes. No more wasting away of my bodily strength by old age. Just a saint, as if anything could be better than that. No more taking joy in those things that are like a balloon in a child’s hands that will always burst or deflate. No more being buoyed up by the adulation and adoration of fans. No more reliving my glory years. No more hoping that old age won’t catch up with me. I’ve got heaven to look forward to.
Why? Because Jesus is my anchor behind the veil that separates this world from the next. He has already entered that Most Holy Place, where he rules all things for my good and intercedes for me daily before the throne. The glories of this life will always fade and disappoint. The hope of heaven never will. As believers, we already have one foot up in heaven, because our hope is sure, anchored in Christ.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you for giving me hope beyond this life and being the anchor for my soul. When life becomes disappointing and I am tempted to despair, then lift up my soul with the sure hope that I have in you. Amen.