Anchored in Truth

<p>My family lives in a nearly century-old house with a lot of character, including wonderfully textured plaster walls. A builder cautioned me that with these walls, to hang a picture up I&rsquo;d have to either drill the nail into a wood support or use a plaster anchor for support. Otherwise, I&rsquo;d risk the picture crashing to the ground, leaving an ugly hole behind.</p> <p>The prophet Isaiah used the imagery of a nail driven firmly into a wall to describe a minor biblical character named Eliakim. Unlike the corrupt official Shebna (vv. 15&ndash;19), as well as the people of Israel&mdash;who looked to themselves for strength (vv. 8&ndash;11)&mdash;Eliakim trusted in God (v. 20). Prophesying Eliakim&rsquo;s promotion to palace administrator for King Hezekiah, Isaiah wrote that Eliakim would be driven like a &ldquo;peg into a firm place&rdquo; (v. 23). Being securely anchored in God&rsquo;s truth and grace would also allow Eliakim to be a support for his family and his people (vv. 22&ndash;24).&nbsp;</p> <p>Yet Isaiah concluded this prophecy with a sobering reminder that no person can be the ultimate security for friends or family&mdash;we all fail (v. 25). The only completely trustworthy anchor for our lives is Christ (Psalm 62:5&ndash;6, Matthew 7:24). As we care for others and share their burdens, may we also point them to Jesus, the anchor who will never fail.</p>