Turn
us again, O God, and cause thy face to shine; and we shall be saved.
(Psalm 80:3)
The
Magnetic Compass
The magnetic compass is a device that has been used widely by sea-going vessels
and land navigators for the past several hundred years. It is indispensible to
the soldier. It was the most crucially important article on sailing vessels
though it was also the smallest.
It is comprised of a magnetized needle with a positive (north) and a negative
pole (south), and is usually encased beneath a radial dial with cardinal, and
intermediate, headings engraved.
The magnetic compass to the navigator is very much like the conscience to the
Christian. The magnet compass is small and simply informs, but does not
dictate. The human conscience is also small and never demands any action be
taken - it simply informs of the right and wrong way. It is up to its owner to
decide to follow or to disregard that small, still voice of the conscience.
On rough stormy seas, the magnetic compass will fluctuate briefly from its
correct readings. So will the conscience of man fluctuate during times of great
hardship and the storms of life; but when the storms subside, the compass
needle, and the conscience, will become more reliable.
When a ship passes another ship bearing, perhaps, a heavy cargo of metal, the
compass will be attracted to the material of that ship and temporarily vary
from its true reading. When material wealth and even other persons of an
undesirable nature come near to the Christian he, too, may suffer a temporary
lapse of conscience; but when that temptation has been subdued and passed, his
conscience will respond in truth and righteousness.
The magnetic needle of the compass is fixed on a far greater magnet than itself
- the magnetic poles of the earth. The conscience is far more reliable when
informed of the Holy Spirit and fixed on a far greater power than itself - His
Lord.
The Holy Bible is our compass rose at which we fine tune our consciences by
reading, study, prayer, and application. Depending on God's True North to see
us through the shoals and billows of life will bring, always, to safe harbor
and rest.
