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Octavius Winslow, 1856 (edited for
today's reader by Larry E. Wilson, 2010)
Bible Verse
"If we are faithless, he remains faithful—for he cannot deny himself" (2 Tim. 2:13).
Devotional
This is the only true and secure anchor for a poor soul tossed amid the waves of doubt and perplexity—to know that God cannot alter his Word. To know that it is impossible that he should lie. To know that if he were to deviate from his infinite perfection, then he would cease to be a perfect being and consequently would cease to be God. To know, too, that he is faithful in the midst of the unfaithfulness and perpetual backslidings of his child. To know that he is faithful in the depth of the deepest affliction. To know that he is faithful when earthly hopes wither and human cisterns are broken (Jer. 2:13). To know that he is faithful when the soul is led to exclaim, "His faithfulness has failed!"
Oh, what a boost to a tried and drooping faith is this view which God himself gives of his own glorious and perfect character! It is no small triumph of faith to walk with God when all is darkness with the soul and there is no light. It is no small triumph of faith to feel amid the roaring of the waves that still he is faithful; that though he slay, yet the soul can trust him (Job 13:15); that though he were to take all else away, he would never remove himself from his people.
Oh glorious triumph of faith! "Who among you fears the LORD and obeys the voice of his servant? Let him who walks in darkness and has no light trust in the name of the LORD and rely on his God" (Isa. 50:10).
Though the angry surges roll
on my tempest-driven soul,
I am peaceful, for I know,
wildly though the winds may blow,
I've an anchor safe and sure,
that can evermore endure.
Refrain:
And it holds, my anchor holds;
blow your wildest then, O gale,
on my bark so small and frail:
by his grace I shall not fail,
for my anchor holds, my anchor holds.
Mighty tides about me sweep,
perils lurk within the deep,
angry clouds o'ershade the sky,
and the tempest rises high;
still I stand the tempest's shock,
for my anchor grips the Rock.
(Refrain)
I can feel the anchor fast
as I meet each sudden blast,
and the cable, though unseen,
bears the heavy strain between;
through the storm I safely ride,
till the turning of the tide.
(Refrain)
Troubles almost 'whelm the soul;
griefs like billows o'er me roll;
tempters seek to lure astray;
storms obscure the light of day:
but in Christ I can be bold,
I've an anchor that shall hold.
(Refrain)
(William C. Martin, 1902)
Be sure to read the Preface by Octavius Winslow and A Note from the Editor by Larry E. Wilson.
Larry Wilson is an ordained minister in the Orthodox Presbyterian Church. In addition to having served as the General Secretary of the Committee on Christian Education of the OPC (2000–2004) and having written a number of articles and booklets (such as God's Words for Worship and Why Does the OPC Baptize Infants) for New Horizons and elsewhere, he has pastored OPC churches in Minnesota, Indiana, and Ohio. We are grateful to him for his editing of Morning Thoughts, the OPC Daily Devotional for 2025.
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