“This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and steadfast .” (Heb. 6:19 NASB)

There are several words to look at within this passage that will help us understand its meaning.

Hope: a feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen.

Anchor: something used to hold another thing securely.

Sure: confident in what one thinks or knows; having no doubt that one is right.

Steadfast: resolutely or dutifully firm and unwavering.

In other words, the hope we have from God is rock solid!

Therefore…

“Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying.” (Rom. 12:12 NLT)

“But if I say I'll never mention the LORD or speak in his name, his word burns in my heart like a fire. It's like a fire in my bones! I am worn out trying to hold it in! I can't do it!” (Jer. 20:9 NLT)

Therefore, declare His glory among the nations!

“Declare His glory among the nations, His wonders among all peoples.” (Psalm 96:3 NKJV)

Go into all the world and preach!

“And He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.'” (Mark 16:15 NKJV)

To every nation, tribe, tongue, and people!

“Then I saw another angel flying in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach to those who dwell on the earth—to every nation, tribe, tongue, and people— saying with a loud voice, ‘Fear God and give glory to Him, for the hour of His judgment has come; and worship Him who made heaven and earth, the sea and springs of water.'” (Rev. 14:6-7 NKJV)

Make disciples of all nations!

“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Matt. 28:19:NKJV)

And then the end will come!

“And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.” (Matt. 24:14 NKJV)

“For anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says, “Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” (Eph. 5:14 ESV)

Wake up! Salvation is nearer than when we first believed!

“Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed.” (Rom. 13:11 ESV)

Wake up! Do not go on sinning!

“Wake up from your drunken stupor, as is right, and do not go on sinning. For some have no knowledge of God. I say this to your shame.” (1 Cor. 15:34 ESV)

Wake up! We are not of darkness!

“For you are all children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness. So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober.” (1 Thess. 5:5-6 ESV)

Wake up and strengthen what remains!

“Wake up, and strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your works complete in the sight of my God. Remember, then, what you received and heard. Keep it, and repent. If you will not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come against you.” (Rev. 3:2-3 ESV)

“The Lord said to me, “You have seen correctly, for I am watching to see that my word is fulfilled.” (Jer. 1:12 NIV)

God keeps all promises in His Word, even in seemingly impossible ways!

Elisha’s amazing request

Just before the prophet Elijah was taken to heaven in a whirlwind, his successor, Elisha, made an amazing request. He asked for a double portion of Elijah’s spirit (2 Kings 2:9). This request was granted when Elisha met Elijah’s one condition that he be present when he was taken up.

Number of miracles

If you count the number of miracles done by both men you will notice something truly amazing, Elisha died one miracle short of the number of miracles Elijah did. But, don’t stop counting! Be sure to read all the way to the end. (Hint. Death cannot stop God from fulfilling His promises).

The miracles in the lives of these two men summarized

Miracles in the career of Elijah:

1) Causing the rain the cease for 3 1/2 years (1 Kings 17:1)

2) Being fed by the ravens (1 Kings 17:4)

3) Miracle of the barrel of meal and cruse of oil (1 Kings 17:14)

4) Resurrection of the widow's son (1 Kings 17:22)

5) Calling of fire from heaven on the altar (1 Kings 18:38)

6) Causing it to rain (1 Kings 18:45)

7) Prophecy that Ahab's sons would all be destroyed (1 Kings 21:22)

8) Prophecy that Jezebel would be eaten by dogs (1 Kings 21:23)

9) Prophecy that Ahaziah would die of his illness (2 Kings 1:4)

10) Calling fire from heaven upon the first fifty soldiers (2 Kings 1:10)

11) Calling fire from heaven upon the second fifty soldiers (2 Kings 1:12)

12) Parting of the Jordan (2 Kings 2:8)

13) Prophecy that Elisha should have a double portion of his spirit (2 Kings 2:10)

14) Being caught up to heaven in a whirlwind (2 Kings 2:11)

Miracles in the career of Elisha:

1) Parting of the Jordan (2 Kings 2:14)

2) Healing of the waters (2 Kings 2:21)

3) Curse of the she bears (2 Kings 2:24)

4) Filling of the valley with water (2 Kings 3:17)

5) Deception of the Moabites with the valley of blood (2 Kings 3:22)

6) Miracle of the vessels of oil (2 Kings 4:4)

7) Prophecy that the Shunammite woman would have a son (2 Kings 4:16)

8) Resurrection of the Shunammite's son (2 Kings 4:34)

9) Healing of the gourds (2 Kings 4:41)

10) Miracle of the bread (2 Kings 4:43)

11) Healing of Naaman (2 Kings 5:14)

12) Perception of Gehazi's transgression (2 Kings 5:26)

13) Cursing Gehazi with leprosy (2 Kings 5:27)

14) Floating of the axe head (2 Kings 6:6)

15) Prophecy of the Syrian battle plans (2 Kings 6:9)

16) Vision of the chariots (2 Kings 6:17)

17) Smiting the Syrian army with blindness (2 Kings 6:18)

18) Restoring the sight of the Syrian army (2 Kings 6:20)

19) Prophecy of the end of the great famine (2 Kings 7:1)

20) Prophecy that the scoffing nobleman would see, but not partake of, the abundance (2 Kings 7:2)

21) Deception of the Syrians with the sound of chariots (2 Kings 7:6)

22) Prophecy of the seven-year famine (2 Kings 8:1)

23) Prophecy of Benhadad's untimely death (2 Kings 8:10)

24) Prophecy of Hazael's cruelty to Israel (2 Kings 8:12)

25) Prophecy that Jehu would smite the house of Ahab (2 Kings 9:7)

26) Prophecy that Joash would smite the Syrians at Aphek (2 Kings 13:17)

27) Prophecy that Joash would smite Syria thrice but not consume it (2 Kings 13:19)

The number of miracles at the time of the two prophet’s deaths

• Elijah: 14
• Elisha: 27

Elisha was one miracle short when he died

When Elisha died, it appeared as though he fell one miracle short in fulfilling the promise of doing double Elijah’s portion. But, wait! Death cannot stop what God is able to do! There is one more amazing surprise after Elisha’s death!

Read this incredible story!

“Once when some Israelites were burying a man, they spied a band of these raiders. So they hastily threw the corpse into the tomb of Elisha and fled. But as soon as the body touched Elisha's bones, the dead man revived and jumped to his feet!” (2 Kings 13:21)

The last miracle is performed after Elisha is dead and buried!

28) Resurrection of the man touched by Elisha’s bones. 

God’s eternal Word stands firm!

“Your word, LORD, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens.” (Psalm 119:89 NIV)

“The LORD is near to the brokenhearted And saves those who are crushed in spirit.” (Psalm 34:18 NASB)

Jesus was sent to bind up the brokenhearted and heal them

“The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, Because the LORD has anointed me To bring good news to the afflicted; He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to captives And freedom to prisoners.” (Isa. 61:1 NASB)

“He heals the brokenhearted And binds up their wounds.” (Psalm 147:3 NASB)

He sent his word to heal and deliver them 

“He sent His word and healed them, And delivered them from their destructions.” (107:20 NASB)

“I, wisdom, dwell with prudence, And I find knowledge and discretion.” (Prov. 8:12 NASB)

Prudence: Careful, wise discernment; the avoidance of rash behaviour or speech; the good management of talents and resources and the showing of tact and wisdom in relationships with other people. The quality of being prudent. Wisdom, good judgment, common sense, sagacity, shrewdness, advisability, caution, care, providence, farsightedness, foresight, forethought, shrewdness, circumspection.

The prudent person carefully considers their steps

“Only simpletons believe everything they’re told! The prudent carefully consider their steps.” (Prov. 14:15 NLT)

The prudent person acts with knowledge

“In everything the prudent acts with knowledge, but a fool flaunts his folly.” (Prov. 13:16 ESV)

A prudent person heeds reproof

“A fool despises his father's instruction, but whoever heeds reproof is prudent.” (Prov. 15:5 ESV)

A prudent wife is from the Lord

“House and wealth are inherited from fathers, but a prudent wife is from the Lord.” (Prov. 19:14 ESV)

A prudent person conceals dishonor

“A fool's anger is known at once, But a prudent man conceals dishonor.” (Prov. 12:16 NASB)

The prudent person sees danger and hides himself

“The prudent sees danger and hides himself, but the simple go on and suffer for it.” (Prov. 27:12 ESV)

The prudent person understand where they are going

“The prudent understand where they are going, but fools deceive themselves.” (Prov. 14:8 NLT)

A prudent person takes precautions

“A prudent person foresees danger and takes precautions. The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences.” (Prov. 22:3 NLT)

“Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.” (Prov. 16:3 NIV)

Success comes from God, remember that!

“But remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your ancestors, as it is today.” (Deut. 8:18 NIV)

Pray, be thankful and be confident

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” (Phil. 4:6 NIV)

Be faithful in little things

“Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches?” (Luke 16:10-11 NIV)

Develop your work skills

“Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will stand before kings; He will not stand before obscure men.” (Prov. 22:29 NASB)

God will strengthen and help you

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (Isa. 41:10 NIV)

Therefore…

“But blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him.” (Jer. 17:7 NIV)

“And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.” (2 Cor. 3:18 NIV)

Transformation is dramatic change

Transformation: a thorough or dramatic change in form or appearance; alteration, conversion, metamorphosis, transfiguration, overhaul, remodel, reshape, redo, reconstruction, remake.

He transforms us in three areas: Spirit, soul (mind), and body

“Now may the God of peace make you holy in every way, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ comes again.” (1 Thes 1:23 NLT)

Transformed in your spirit – when born again

“Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.” (2 Cor. 5:17 NASB)

Transformed in your soul (mind) – a continuing process

“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.”

Transformed in your body – at His return

“But let me reveal to you a wonderful secret. We will not all die, but we will all be transformed! It will happen in a moment, in the blink of an eye, when the last trumpet is blown. For when the trumpet sounds, those who have died will be raised to live forever. And we who are living will also be transformed.  For our dying bodies must be transformed into bodies that will never die; our mortal bodies must be transformed into immortal bodies.” (1 Cor. 15:51-53 NLT)

"For You, O LORD, have made me glad by what You have done, I will sing for joy at the works of Your hands.” (Psalm 82:4 NASB)

Rejoice in all your undertakings

“There also you and your households shall eat before the LORD your God, and rejoice in all your undertakings in which the LORD your God has blessed you.” (Deut. 12:7 NASB)

The upright in heart will glory

“The righteous man will be glad in the LORD and will take refuge in Him; And all the upright in heart will glory.” (Psalm 64:10 NASB)

You rejoice in your spirit

“And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.” (Luke 2:47 NASB)

Rejoice again and again and always

“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.” (Phil. 4:4 NASB)