compass_anchor

Compass & Anchor, by Randall D. Kittle

As I worshiped the Lord, He spoke to me saying, “Warn My Church that they are sailing upon a sea of dissatisfaction. For the enemy has flooded the world with wave after wave of dissatisfaction. Unless they use the compass and anchor I have given them, they will face spiritual shipwreck or be lost on this sea.”

While the Lord spoke, I began to see a polished, brass compass. Around the face of this compass were engraved the words, “Seek the Lord.” Next to the compass was a large anchor. While it didn’t appear to be new, it wasn’t rusty or damaged in any way. In fact, it was quite beautiful, nearly glistening with a soft pewter color. I could see a word was written on the anchor going down its shank. Written in raised capital letters was the word “HOPE.”

Dissatisfaction
We live in a day when Satan has covered our world with a flood of dissatisfaction. Many people feel like life isn’t exciting enough, and they are just going through the motions. They feel as if they must be missing out on something, because they just can’t get motivated about anything. They lack joy and excitement, and their lives seems disenchanting. More possessions, more money, new adventures, loftier positions, and increased recognition — nothing seems to give a lasting sense of satisfaction. People are changing their lives at an unprecedented rate — changing jobs, changing careers, changing spouses, changing locations — but still satisfaction eludes them.

If this spirit of dissatisfaction was only affected those outside the Church it would be sad enough, but a quick survey across almost any group of believers will reveal it has affected believers at least to some extent. But the Lord is faithful. He has given us all that we need to be set free from this pervasive spirit of dissatisfaction.

Fix Your Focus
We need not lose our way in the sea of dissatisfaction. The Lord has given us a compass to show us the way, and it is to seek the Lord. Every feeling we have of dissatisfaction is really just an indication that we desire more of God. Nothing and no one can ever satisfy our hearts like the Lord. When we choose to seek the Lord in spite of our circumstances, really focusing the energy and efforts of our lives upon Him, He will change our dissatisfaction to desperation. In Hebrews 11:6, God promises that “… He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” One of those rewards is the transmutation of our dissatisfaction with life into desperation for the Lord.

Hold on to Hope
But desperation by itself can still lead to despair and depression. We long for God. We begin to diligently seek Him … and nothing happens. Delay is the storm the enemy uses to try to shipwreck our faith. But God has given us what we need to weather this storm — hope. Hope is the anchor that helps us hold on to our desperation until it becomes more than desperation — until it becomes zeal. To hope to encounter God more richly means we both desire it and believe it will happen. Those with hope do so not blindly, for they see the testimony of God’s character. Since God is faithful and unchanging, we can trust Him to keep His promise, and He has promised that “… those who diligently seek Me will find Me” (Proverbs 8:17).

Don’t let the enemy’s flood of dissatisfaction shipwreck your faith. Turn all of your dissatisfaction with the things of this world into desperation for more of God by choosing to diligently seek Him. Set your heart on seeking God and don’t give up when you face the storm of delay. Never lose hope that God will fulfill His promise to reward those who seek Him with His presence. He will take your desperation and turn it into a fervent zeal for Him that will never be quenched.