October 7

A Ship without a Steering Wheel

This is how you are to build it (Genesis 6:15).

Scripture: Genesis 6:9b-22

Song: “He Leadeth Me”

Leif Eriksson sailed his Viking ship with a tiller. Both Magellan and the pilgrims on the Mayflower steered their ships with a whipstaff attached to the tiller. “Old Ironsides” and the Titanic were steered by a steering wheel. But Noah had no such device for his ark.

God gave Noah exact instructions for the ark that included its size and features such as the roof, door, and decks. But God gave no instructions for a steering device. Noah and his family were to trust the Lord as helmsman of the ark. So if Noah thought that the ark was headed directly for a mountain he would have to trust the Lord. And Noah would trust God to steer the ark to a safe place to land as well.

We often like to be in control. This might lead us to make plans for where we will work or live. We make a to-do list that maps out our day. But the reality is that the Lord is the one steering the ship of our life. It’s not easy to take our hands off the rudder. But that is exactly what trusting the Lord looks like. Look to God today and let Him steer your life.

Dear Lord, I trust Your control of my life. Even though I like to be in control, I will let go of the steering wheel and let You take me where I am to go. In Your name, amen.