There is a palm, called the Comb Spine palm, which grows in the midst of dense forests. It has a crown of leaves so heavy that the slender trunk is wholly unequal to the task of supporting it. Yet by a beautiful provision the tree is enabled to to stand erect and grow upwards. A stem, or continuation of the trunk, rises to a considerable height through the leafy plume that generally terminates the growth of other palm-trees. This stem is furnished at the end with hooks or grapnels, by which it lays hold upon the giant branches of some overshadowing tree, and is thus supported and rendered stable. This anchor thrown on high entering within the leafy curtain of the growth above, keeps the palm from falling or being blown away.

Behold an image of the Christian's hope! He, too, has a crown, "an exceeding great and eternal weight of glory," which his own feeble powers are not able to sustain. But just such a means of support as we have described has been given him. When heart and flesh fail, and his spirit sinks within him, he may reach the arm of confident hope far above, and thus lay hold on the immutable promise of God. "Hope of salvation," "hope in Christ," "a good hope through grace," this steadies and strengthens the soul. A happy, steadfast expectation of eternal life proves to the child of God, an unfailing stay. Anchors are generally cast below, but that of the Christian is thrown on high. Thus the Apostle says of those who have fled for refuge, to lay hold upon the hope set before them, "we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to seize the hope set before us. We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner shrine behind the curtain where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf." (Heb.6.18-19)                                                  (Selected)