Your Anchor
But the following night the Lord stood by him and said, “Be of good cheer, Paul; for as you have testified for Me in Jerusalem, so you must also bear witness at Rome.” Acts 23:11
Have you ever started something that you were sure God was calling you to do, only to find that it became harder than you expected? Maybe you were full of excitement at first, confident that God was leading you, but when things didn’t go the way you imagined, you started to question if you heard Him right. At first you may have even thought God would make everything fall into place and it would be easy to do. Then when the first obstacle came that thought shifted to: “Maybe this isn’t God’s will after all.” That feeling is familiar to anyone who has stepped out in faith. The truth is, following God’s plan often leads through challenges that test obedience and endurance, not comfort.
In Acts 23, Paul faced one of those moments. He had obeyed God’s call to preach the gospel, yet he found himself in prison, surrounded by enemies who wanted him dead. From the outside, it didn’t look like success. But in the quiet of the night, God stood beside Paul and spoke directly to him, reminding him that his mission was not over. God told him to take courage, assuring him that just as he had testified in Jerusalem, he would also testify in Rome. That one word from God became Paul’s anchor. It was a promise to hold onto when everything around him felt uncertain.
There are times when life feels the same way. The promise God gave may not match what circumstances look like right now. But just as He stood beside Paul, He stands beside you. God’s word is your anchor, steady and sure in every storm.
1. God’s word anchors the heart during uncertainty.
When everything feels shaky, God’s word provides a place to hold on. It reminds you that His plan has not changed, even if the path looks different than expected.
- Spend time each day reading the Bible, even if it’s just one verse, and ask God to highlight what He wants to speak to you.
- Write down the verse that brings comfort or clarity to your situation.
- Keep that scripture somewhere visible, such as on a mirror, a journal, or your phone, so you can return to it when doubts come.
Start with one simple prayer: “Lord, speak to me through Your word today.” Then open your Bible and expect Him to guide you.
I can think of many times when I faced uncertainty about a ministry direction I was called to pursue. When things didn’t just drop into place to make the way simple, I wondered if I had misunderstood God. Keeping those times before the Lord in prayer, always leads me to scripture that I can hold onto as I complete each assignment. I especially remember a time the Holy Spirit led me to a verse in Isaiah about God upholding me with His right hand. I wrote it down and read it every morning. That scripture became my anchor, reminding me that God was still in control even when I couldn’t see the outcome.
2. God’s presence brings courage to keep going.
When Paul was imprisoned, God didn’t remove him from the situation. Instead, He stood beside him and encouraged him to keep going. The same is true for you. God’s presence doesn’t always change the circumstance immediately, but it gives you strength to endure it.
- Spend quiet time with God each morning. Sit in silence and simply say, “Lord, I need Your presence today.”
- Listen for the gentle thoughts of comfort or peace that come to mind.
- Thank Him for being near, even if you can’t see how things will work out.
Find a quiet place and take five minutes each morning to pause and invite God’s presence. Over time, you will start to sense His nearness in ways that steady your heart.
During a time of loss, I remember sitting in complete silence, unable to pray. I whispered, “Lord, I just need You to be near.” The peace that filled that room was overwhelming. It didn’t erase the pain immediately, but it gave me the strength to face another day. That moment reminded me that God’s presence truly is enough.
3. God’s promises give peace in the process.
When God gives a word, it may not happen right away, but it always comes to pass. The promise itself becomes an anchor when life feels unpredictable. Peace comes when you believe that what He has said will happen in His timing.
- Ask God for a specific word or promise for the situation you are facing. Ask Him for a scripture to anchor you in that promise.
- When you receive it, write it down and date it.
- Thank Him daily for it, even before you see it come to pass because you know it is on the way to you.
Take a few moments to pray and ask, “Lord, what do You want me to hold onto in this season?” Then wait quietly. The verse or thought that settles your heart with peace is often His answer.
Recently I was praying for direction about a new opportunity. I asked God for a word to confirm His will. A passage in Proverbs about trusting in the Lord with all my heart stood out to me. I wrote it down, and every time I began to doubt, I went back to that verse. It reminded me to trust His timing, and when the right moment came, the door opened exactly as He promised.
Practical application:
• Read a portion of Scripture each morning and ask God to speak personally through it.
• Write down the verses that bring comfort or clarity.
• Keep a journal of God’s promises and the dates you received them.
• When fear rises, speak the promise out loud as a reminder of His faithfulness.
• Thank God daily for His word and presence before asking for anything else.
Today I want to encourage you to hold fast to the word that God has spoken to your heart. Even when life feels uncertain or delayed, His word is your anchor and His presence is your peace. God has not forgotten what He said to you. The same way He stood beside Paul, He is standing beside you now. Ask Him to speak to your heart, write down what He shows you, and let that promise steady you until the day you see it fulfilled. You can trust His word completely.
Today’s scripture reading: Acts 23:11-22
11 That night the Lord appeared to Paul and said, “Be encouraged, Paul. Just as you have been a witness to me here in Jerusalem, you must preach the Good News in Rome as well.”
The Plan to Kill Paul
12 The next morning a group of Jews got together and bound themselves with an oath not to eat or drink until they had killed Paul.
13 There were more than forty of them in the conspiracy.
14 They went to the leading priests and elders and told them, “We have bound ourselves with an oath to eat nothing until we have killed Paul.
15 So you and the high council should ask the commander to bring Paul back to the council again. Pretend you want to examine his case more fully. We will kill him on the way.”
16 But Paul’s nephew—his sister’s son—heard of their plan and went to the fortress and told Paul.
17 Paul called for one of the Roman officers and said, “Take this young man to the commander. He has something important to tell him.”
18 So the officer did, explaining, “Paul, the prisoner, called me over and asked me to bring this young man to you because he has something to tell you.”
19 The commander took his hand, led him aside, and asked, “What is it you want to tell me?”
20 Paul’s nephew told him, “Some Jews are going to ask you to bring Paul before the high council tomorrow, pretending they want to get some more information.
21 But don’t do it! There are more than forty men hiding along the way ready to ambush him. They have vowed not to eat or drink anything until they have killed him. They are ready now, just waiting for your consent.”
22 “Don’t let anyone know you told me this,” the commander warned the young man.
Journal:
- What situation in my life feels uncertain right now?
- What verse has God brought to my heart that brings peace?
- How can I spend more time listening for His voice each day?
- What promise has He given me that I can thank Him for before seeing it fulfilled?
- How can I stay anchored in His word instead of my emotions this week?
The Daily Dose 