Psalm 119:105 (ESV)
Your word is a lamp to my feet
and a light to
my path.
During World War II, small compasses saved the lives of
27 sailors 300 miles off the coast of North Carolina. 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 ship
was hit, caught fire, and began to sink. Semenov and his crew lowered
compass-equipped lifeboats into the water and used the compasses to guide them
toward the 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 enough light
to illuminate the path for those pursuing God. When the psalmist was wandering
in the dark on a chaotic path of life, 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, using it to lead us into deeper
fellowship with Him.
Dear Lord, it is difficult to navigate life. At times we
drift, but we will trust in You. Lead us and guide us by the faithfulness and
reliability of Your Word. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
