We are crossing the stormy sea of life, in perilous waters. On every side there are hidden rocks, and shallow waters, not always visible to the eyes. Many ships have suffered shipwreck and perished. Therefore, we need a pilot in our ship, one who knows the dangers and can guide our ship safely to the harbour.
Without a pilot who knows the way, no one will make it safely to the end. We need God; we need Jesus to guide us through the dangers that lie ahead of us. Yet, many try to pass these turbulent waters alone, thinking that they are wise enough to avoid the hidden dangers.
The prodigal son thought that he was wise enough to decide for his life. He made up his mind to leave his father’s house. He did not ask counsel. He did not consult his father. He decided to enjoy life, to have good times. He saw the world outside as very attractive, and therefore he said goodbye to his father. Was he wise or foolish? Was he happy now? For a while perhaps, but soon he realized his mistake.
We read in Luke 15:14–16, “And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want. And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him.”
He was miserable, hungry, and disappointed. Now the prodigal son realized that he needed God, he needed Jesus to guide his life. Jesus could have told him before not to be so foolish, but he did not want to listen.
The older brother remained in the house; he did not go away, but he was miserable and unhappy. He complained about his father’s conduct. He did not like that his father was so kind and merciful towards his younger brother.
There are many professing Christians who complain about the leading of God. They have no confidence in His providence. Yet if we let God be our pilot, we all will make it to heaven. He has decided all our life incidents to develop perfect characters in us. He designed the life for Joseph. It involved slavery and prison, but the end result was perfect. Moses passed 40 years caring for sheep, and by this training he became the meekest man on the earth.
Abraham trusted the leading of God. When God told him to sacrifice his son, Isaac, he did not ask why, neither did he hesitate one moment in obedience.
Jonah, on the other hand, did not like the leading of God in his life. He wanted to go in the opposite direction. Later he complained when the gourd that gave him shelter died, yet at the same time he had no pity for 120,000 people in Nineveh.
Balaam did not like God’s leading. When God told him not to go to curse Israel, he asked a second time, can I go? As a result he lost his life for it.
These men did have a pilot in their ship, but they did not follow His leading. They did not believe Romans 8:28. “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.”
There are other examples in the Bible of people who followed the instructions of their pilot.
Noah built the ark to the instruction of the Lord, and by so doing saved his life.
Enoch walked with God, and where is he today? In heaven.
Hezekiah obeyed the instructions of the Lord and we read of him, “The Lord was with him; and he prospered whithersoever he went forth.” 2 Kings 18:7
Daniel decided to obey God and not to eat the king’s food and God blessed him. He became the prime minister of the kingdom. God protected him also from the lions; they did not hurt him.
These people decided to follow exactly the leading of their pilot, they did what God told them and all went well, and they were happy and prosperous. Our pilot Jesus knows the way. Let Him be your guide and all goes well.
There is another pilot who wants to guide our ship, and he is Satan.
“I saw the rapidity with which this delusion was spreading. A train of cars was shown me, going with the speed of lightning. The angel bade me look carefully. I fixed my eyes upon the train. It seemed that the whole world was on board, that there could not be one left. Said the angel, ‘They are binding in bundles ready to burn.’ Then he showed me the conductor, who appeared like a stately, fair person whom all the passengers looked up to and reverenced. I was perplexed and asked my attending angel who it was. He said, ‘It is Satan. He is the conductor in the form of an angel of light. He has taken the world captive. They are given over to strong delusions, to believe a lie, that they may be damned.’” –Early Writings, p. 88
Not only the unbelievers are deceived, but professed Christians also.
“And Satan exults at his success in controlling the minds of so many who profess to be Christians. He has deceived them, benumbed their sensibilities, and planted his hellish banner right in their midst, and they are so completely deceived that they know not that it is he.” –Testimonies for the Church, vol. 2, p. 440
Many professed Christians are asleep. Satan has paralyzed them. They are not able to move. Year after year they are in the same lukewarm condition and never reach the perfection that is required for their salvation.
We sing in our gospel hymn, “Jesus Saviour, pilot me, Over life’s tempestuous sea; unknown waves before me roll, hiding rock and treacherous shoal, chart and compass come from Thee, Jesus, Saviour, pilot me.”
If you want Jesus to be your pilot, tell Him like David did, “Lead me in thy truth, and teach me.” Psalm 25:5
When the Lord enters your ship, He will calm the waters and say, “Peace be still,” and you will be safe.
We read Psalm 91:10, “There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.”
Do not trust your young age. Do not think that you have many years to decide who will guide your ship, the divine pilot or yourself. The Bible is clear, “Today if ye will hear His voice, harden not your hearts.” Hebrews 3:7–8
The hidden dangers can be your relatives who do not love God, friends who invite you to parties and get-togethers where God is not present. Television, Internet, books and magazines have hidden dangers in them.
Worldly amusements have powerful effects to destroy your faith in God. Satan, being invisible, comes as a roaring lion to devour you, and almost the whole world has fallen helpless victims to his deceptions.
Do not let even one day pass without inviting Jesus into your ship to pilot you safely through all these dangers that surround you. Wise, intelligent, and educated people have fallen and suffered shipwreck. Isaiah writes, “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way.” Isaiah 53:6. To go our own way means to go astray, and lose the path to heaven.
Our merciful pilot is still calling us to Himself with open arms; let none of us lose this golden opportunity to have Him to pilot our ship, He is the only one who knows the way. AMEN.
Timo Martin