A compass is a device for determining direction. We can head north, south, east, or west, or any direction in between. If we follow any of these precisely, we will eventually arrive at our destination.
Our Jesus compass is none of these, neither north, south, east or west.
Exodus, in the 27th chapter, gives us a description of the brazen altar of God. Verse 5 says:
“And you shall put [the network of brass] under the compass of the altar beneath, that the net may be even to the midst of the altar.”
This is our first recorded mention of the compass of the altar, yet its casual mention suggests the people of the day were very familiar with it. They recognized the term, were accustomed with its use, and felt no confusion at its meaning. They accepted the compass of the altar as part and parcel, as intrinsic to the daily use of the altar.
Various commentators have differing viewpoints about the exact nature of this compass, but they all agree on one thing: The compass encircled the altar, gave it stability, and was a place of sacrifice.
Jesus, our Lord and Savior, is that exactly in our lives. At the moment of surrendering our heart to him, he encircles us with his arms. He wraps us with his love, and we know the security of his presence. We no longer skitter from sin to sin, unsure of our satisfaction in things fleeting and gone before we can grasp them. Rather, Jesus is our solid place of strength, our rock, our keel, keeping our boat upright in the strongest of storms.
He is also the brazen flame that consumes the sacrifices we offer unto him: anger, willfulness, and our desire for vengeance. His arms surround us, and his hands are open to receive that which is not of him.
Why is Jesus not north or south or east or west? There is only one direction in our walk with Christ. We keep our faces toward the light of God, that glorious unfolding that is the holiness of our Creator. There is no other direction in Jesus. All other markings on the compass of life are irrelevant.
If we follow after our Lord, we will always find our way home.
Our Jesus compass points only one direction, to the throne of our almighty God.
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Code: FGO.C.31.16.vp.kjv