Being a military wife has its perks.
My husband and I were stationed in Ketchikan, Alaska, on one of our tours a few years back. Not only is it beautiful, but it’s also known for being the salmon fishing capital of the world, at least that is what the sign says at the town entrance.
I believe it too, because you could smell the salmon during their spawning season in all the creeks downtown. Alaska also has wonderful hunting areas.
This is my husband’s dream.
He has always wanted to hunt, and this was his chance to do that, at the best place possible.
One weekend my husband, Jared, ventured out with his buddies on a hunting expedition to a place called, “Brown Mountain.” After hunting for a couple of hours and not seeing much, Jared and his friends decided to head back.
Even though my husband had the compass, his friend said he knew a quicker way to get back to the car. Against his better judgement, Jared decided to take the advice of his friend since he had lived in Ketchikan longer.
Jared soon realized that listening to the Ketchikan “native” was a huge mistake.
After seven hours, equivalent to ten miles of hiking through rough mountainous terrain, dense flesh cutting trees, driving rain, anxiousness, and losing about ten pounds of water weight, they finally made it back to a pedestrian sitting in the back of his truck, which was a very pretty sight for them all. At this point, the guys had lost all pride, and Jared humbly asked the gentlemen for a ride back to their truck.
I was worried to say the least because Jared called me to tell me he was lost, but he thought he would be getting out. All he said after that was, “Amy, get me a big glass of ice-cold water, a hot bath ready and two Advil by the tub please.”
I still laugh about that phone call and the story he tells of that eventful day!
As believers, God gives us our compass, He is our light to guide us on our path. Why would we ever trust or listen to anyone else?
King David, in several Psalms, asks God to give him light and a clear vision to see the path. Two Psalms that ask God for light and truth along the journey are Psalm 24 and 43.
Psalm 24:3-6, (NASB), says, “Who may ascend into the hill of the Lord? And who may stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who has not lifted up his soul to falsehood and has not sworn deceitfully. He shall receive a blessing from the Lord and righteousness from the God of his salvation. This is the generation of those who seek Him, who seek Your face – even Jacob.”
Psalm 43:3-4 (NASB) states, “O send out Your light and Your truth, let them lead me; let them bring me to Your holy hill and to Your dwelling places. Then I will go to the altar of God, to God my exceeding joy; and upon the lyre I shall praise You, O God, my God.”
Have you ever asked yourself why sometimes you don’t have light and truth in your path?
Why is your face downcast?
Why are you stumbling over and over again in the same areas?
Have you not heeded God’s word and not sought Him with all your heart?
I believe all of us have let the world and its pleasures creep in at times when we needed God to fill us most. David is crying out to God to fill him with His light, the Holy Spirit, and His truth, God’s Holy Word.
God’s Spirit and Truth will lead us to His presence, to His Holy temple, to His dwelling! And when we are filled with His Spirit and words, we are filled with joy and true worship happens, in spirit and in truth. (John 4:23)
Psalm 24 says those who have clean hands and a pure heart are in God’s presence. It also says to not sow deceitfully or lift to falsehood. Are we lying to others? Are we lying to ourselves and God?
We need to ask ourselves, are we truly seeking righteousness and following the “True Compass” in Jesus Christ? Are we setting our minds on falsehood or on things above?
If we are not seeking Christ, we need to repent and ask the Lord to fill us and bring us back to His dwelling place.
Why repent and ask Him to fill us?
So, we can be in communion with God, in His presence and walk in the path of righteousness. So, we can have complete joy, only found in Him, and a peace that surpasses all understanding. So that we won’t hurt ourselves or others around us by stumbling over and over again by mistakes and disappointments made on our own accord. So, we can find rest for a weary traveler like ourselves and help other travelers along their journey.
Proverbs 14:12 (ESV) tells us, “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.”
Like Jared’s hunting story he had the compass but chose the advice of a friend, which ultimately lead them on the wrong path and delayed their return home. May we choose to listen to our Savior for guidance at every turn.
What a great verse to keep within us.
In what ways do you need to make Jesus and His Word your true compass?
Are there people, celebrities, social media, etc. that you are looking to for advice instead of God?
MEET THE AUTHOR: Amy Fraizer is a singer/songwriter and worship leader based out of Oklahoma. Amy has been writing songs and leading worship for over fifteen years. Currently, she leads worship at various churches on Sunday mornings, Nights of praise, Women’s events, Youth and College retreats, and other special events. Check out her website.
