The anchor is as old as ships, but is used as an analogy in the Bible only in this verse. Scores of 'anchors' are used to steady and inspire life in the world. But there is only one powerful and effective for the soul and for eternity.

The richest king of his time, who indulged to extremes in pleasure, intellectual pursuits and creative skills, and who kept 700 wives - Solomon - eventually found a godless life futile and turned to the Lord. Here is his experience and his appeal to all for conversion.

Who God is, His attributes, purposes and plans are often unknown to people today. Nor do we know how God views us and reaches out to us. Here is the God of the Bible, with His infinite kindness and power, and how He may be known.

'And when they were escaped, then they knew that the island was called Melita. And the barbarous people shewed us no little kindness: for they kindled a fire, and received us every one, because of the present rain, and because of the cold.'

Over nearly three years the disciples learned from Christ and came to love him, need him, and recognise him as divine. But for most, personal conversion came late in this period. Peter's vital response is a model and challenge to seekers in every age.

Paul personifies sin as an emperor who conscripts us into his army and drills us in unbelief and lust to bind us in his service. Then Paul shows how we may be 'brought out' of our bondage to walk with the Lord God.

Christ sets out life's options. Here is the meaning of the wide gate, through which one is carried by the crowd into purposelessness and spiritual disaster. In contrast - the narrow gate; and why it gets this description, when in fact it is the gate of enduring happiness.

'Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved.'

'I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.'

'When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee.'