April 7 Steady As She Goes

April 7

Steady as She Goes

Re 3:11 …hold that fast which thou hast,…

What sustaining devotional thought can we take away from these seven verses addressed to the church at Philadelphia?

This church did not seem to be either a dynamic powerful church, or a miserable failure filled with idol worship. A quick read of the verses will help us understand what kind of church it was and what the conditions were in Philadelphia.

Verse 7 describes Christ as holy and true. Holy remind us of his Holiness, which speaks of judgment. True brings to mind the book of John, chap 7; “…I am the way, the truth, and the life…”. The world says there are many ways to the happy hunting grounds, nirvana, paradise, supreme enlightenment. The Bible says there is only one way to heaven, the Man Christ Jesus.

Verse 8 tells us Christ knew their works. He then described their works. First they had little strength, but in spite of that they kept the Word and did not deny Christ.

Vrs 9 and 10 tell us there were difficulties. A large settlement of Jews opposed them and were slandering the church and its members. Also there was greater tribulation on the way. But Christ said he would keep them from that hour of tribulation.

    The last 3 verses are promises and a final admonition

 Re 3:13 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the

Spirit saith unto the churches.  

What is the devotional thought for us from this passage? It is simply to keep on keeping on. Or in nautical terms “steady as she goes” which means to keep your eye on the compass and make steering adjustments to maintain that compass heading.  You do not need to add some marvelous sailing skills, try shortcuts, or anything untried. Just keep on doing what you are doing with adjustments to maintain it.

To continue with the nautical theme of a sailing ship let us consider what it takes to maintain “Steady as she goes”.  The first requirement is you need a compass and we have that in Christ and our Bibles. It is impossible in the middle of the ocean to maintain a heading if you have neither compass nor landmarks to go by.

A bunch of guys decided to go ice fishing on a large lake. They all had snowmobiles and about noon the fish started biting. Reluctant to leave for lunch a couple guys volunteered to go in, use the bathroom and gather all the lunches. Warm temperatures had produced a thick fog on the frozen lake and with no compass or visible landmarks the guys with the lunch discovered they had missed their group and were at the opposite shore of the lake. A second try and they were back at the parking lot. Etc etc for several more tries. They even stopped and yelled but no one responded. Eventually they found their group and asked if anyone had heard them yell. Yes, but didn’t respond because they enjoyed hearing them roar by several times somewhere out in the fog.

But we have a compass to guide us in the way that we should go. The helmsman also needs the skill to read the compass and understand what it is telling him. In addition he needs to be familiar with his craft, to know it’s strengths and weaknesses in order to control the ship. The helmsman needs to know what currents are running contrary to the ship, and keep an eye on the wind. All these and more are required to maintain “steady as she goes”.

Oh and a couple of other things. When the waves are calm and the wind is steady the helmsman must stay alert. He must not become weary or impatient. He must remain faithful to his assigned task.      

That gives us a lot of devotional thoughts for today. The Church at Philadelphia had little strength but had maintained their course. That church had not leaped tall buildings in a single bound, but they had not denied Christ in a strongly pagan city. They were not mightier than a speeding locomotive, but they kept the Word of Christ.

We all have the compass of God’s word. What kind of helmsman would only check the compass once a week on Sunday morning at 11 AM?  What kind of helmsman would see the needle move a little and declare “Close enough. What does it matter if I miss the mark a little?”  Could you maintain your course even with unexpected huge waves or stormy winds?  And even more important could you maintain a course that keeps you in God’s will and do so with patience when life is calm and monotonous?

Here are some navigational aids for you to meditate on as you keep an eye on God’s compass for your life.

Jas 3:4 Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth.

Here James is referring to the tongue. If you can’t control that thing, you can't stay on course.

Ps 107:23 ¶ They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters; 24 These see the works of the LORD, and his wonders in the deep. 25 For he commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind, which lifteth up the waves thereof.

Turn to this wonderful 107^th psalm and read how God sends the waves and brings us through the storm to build our faith in Him.

What can we learn from an ancient church that had little strength, did not deny Christ, and kept His Word? 

Heb 12:1 Let us run with patience

the race that is set before us…..