February 9, 2019 -- Hebrews 6:19-20 -- Hold the Rope

We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain,  where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.

Hebrews 6:19-20 ESV

When the missionary William Carey went to India as a missionary, he told his friend Andrew Fuller: “I will go into the pit, but you must hold the rope.” Carey was prepared to endure hardship, suffer for the sake of the Name of Jesus Christ, that many would hear and believe. Those who stayed behind, life his friend Fuller, had the important work of holding the rope—that which anchors our souls to Jesus Christ. The rope which is anchored in the promises of Jesus and His faithfulness.

Did you know that for every line of duty death in police services and in fire fighting services, there are at least four suicides? Experts who study such things, such as Dr. Robert Douglas, note many of these suicides go unreported. Our police officers and our firefighters go into the pit. They go into danger every day, putting their lives on the line so that we, as ordinary citizens may live at peace. Many of these men and women have severe trauma arising from the things they have heard, smelled, seen, touched and investigated. They encounter evils that are rivaled only by what soldiers witness on the battlefield. They battle in the pit, at the front lines of evil. Hold the rope.

Believers, hold the rope for these men and women by praying for them. Regularly, faithfully, pray. When you see a media report of a line of duty death, or a suicide, or a report of the work of their work—hold the rope by praying for them so that they are anchored in Jesus Christ.

Hold the rope for the firefighters and police officers by providing for counselors and chaplains. Encourage your city councilors and police boards to make sure the firefighters and police officers have access to spiritual counsel as well as psychological counselors. We are spiritual beings waging war against evil, many of these men and women need spiritual help to overcome what a secular counselor will not acknowledge. Hold the rope that anchors these men and women to Christ in Whom we have victory.

Hold the rope for them by offering encouragement wherever you see them.

Hold the rope for them by countering the media’s all-too-often negative reports of our firefighters and police officers. Get informed on their work.

Hold the rope for them by regularly asking your church members and pastors to pray earnestly for the police officers and firefighters. These men and women have chosen to go into these difficult professions because of the gifts they possess, their strong desire to help others and out of passion to keep their communities safe. Hold the rope for them and honour such lofty desires!

God of Glory thank You for the Spirit Who gives to men and women tremendous gifts of service, help and mercy. Thank You Spirit of God for the men and women who serve as police officers and firefighters. Lord Jesus, thank You that You are the anchor for our souls when the times are troubled and the battles of this life rage at their fiercest. Thank You for the intercessors who go to Your throne room, holding the rope on behalf of men and women facing dangers and keeping our communities safe. Thank You, Lord Jesus Christ, that at the cross, You disarmed evil and You are the way of healing and life. We pray today for the men and women who have nightmares, anxiety, stress, and other symptoms which are a direct result of their hazardous work. Bring them the relief and help only You can provide. Thank You for the many, many who serve with mental and spiritual resilience. Keep them safe and cause them to be a caring presence to their fellows who are struggling. Bless the chaplains and the psychiatrists, the counselors and the doctors who use their gifts and talents to help our wounded warriors. Help us, as ordinary citizens to hold the rope which anchors others to the throne of grace where Jesus is seated in compassionate glory. Amen.