During World War II, Waldemar Semenov (a retired merchant seaman) was serving as a junior engineer aboard the SS Alcoa Guide when a German submarine surfaced and opened fire on the ship. The US merchant ship was hit, caught fire, and began to sink. Three hundred miles off the coast of North Carolina, Semenov and the other sailors lowered lifeboats into the water. Fortunately, the lifeboats were equipped with a compass. Semenov and his crew used the compass to sail west by northwest toward the shipping lanes. After three days, a patrol plane spotted Semenov’s lifeboat and the USS Broome rescued the men the next day. Thanks to that compass, Semenov and 26 other crewmembers were saved.
The psalmist reminded God’s people that their lifeboat was equipped with a trustworthy compass as well—God’s Word. He likened God’s Word to a lamp (Psalm 119:105). The flickering light cast by an olive-oil lamp was only bright enough to show a traveler his next step. To the psalmist, God’s Word was such a lamp, providing enough light to illuminate the path of life for those pursuing obedience to God (Psalm 119:106,109). When he was adrift in the dark and chaotic waters of life, he believed God would provide spiritual longitude and latitude through His Word. In another psalm, the writer said God’s light and truth would guide him (Psalm 43:3).
When we lose our bearings in life, we have the Bible as our compass, leading us into deeper fellowship with God and directing our lives to please Him. Because His Word is a trustworthy compass and has the ability to save our lives, let’s determine to read it, study it, and obey it. It’s truly the “light for our path” (Psalm 119:105).
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: 1 Peter 3:1-22
More:
Read 2 Timothy 3:16-17 and see why we should use Scripture to guide our lives.
Next:
When are you tempted not to follow the directions the compass of God’s Word provides? What are some practical steps you can take to continue to walk in obedience to God’s Word?
tom felten on December 23, 2013 at 10:37 am
Marvin, thanks so much for this powerful word about The Word! I’m reminded of what Peter wrote down: “The grass withers and the flower fades, But the word of the Lord remains forever” (1 Peter 1:25). Praise God for the comfort, counsel, and wisdom He has given us in the Scriptures!
judithanne on December 23, 2013 at 11:34 am
I wouldn’t call it a temptation but we often don’t stop and seek God’s will about common everyday decisions. Instead, we just make the decision ourselves. We are learning more and more to pray about EVERYTHING and not just about the BIG things in our lives. I guess that’s why when life throws us one of those curve balls, it drives us back to the realization that we need to be seeking the Lord’s will and strength at all times.