Stand StrongSample

God's Compass

During World War II, small compasses saved the lives of twenty-seven sailors three hundred miles off the coast of North Carolina. The ship SS Alcoa Guide was spotted by a German submarine, which opened fire. The ship was hit, caught fire, and began to sink. The crew lowered compass-equipped lifeboats into the water and used the compasses to guide them toward shipping lanes closer to shore. After three days, the men were rescued.

The psalmist reminded God’s people that His Word was a trustworthy “compass.” He likened it to a lamp. In that day, 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 light to illuminate the path for those pursuing God (Psalm 119:105). When the psalmist was wandering in the dark, he believed that God, through the guidance of His Word, would provide direction.

When we lose our bearings in life, we can trust our God, who gives His trustworthy Word as our compass to lead us into deeper fellowship with Him. Marvin Williams