The word for this week is "rudder". It's found only in Acts 27:40:
40 And when they had taken up the anchors, they committed themselves unto the sea, and loosed the rudder bands, and hoised up the mainsail to the wind, and made toward shore. KJV
This is the Greek word "pedalion". Strong's Concordance says: a pedal or helm. Vine's Expository Dictionary adds: the blade of an oar; the pedalia were actually steering paddles, two of which were used as "rudders" in ancient ships. The Dictionary definition of "rudder" is: any means of or device for governing, directing, or guiding a course, as a leader or principle. This goes right along with another word, "helm", found in James that is also from the Greek "pedalion". James 3:3-4:
3 Behold, we put bits in the horses' mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body. 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. KJV
5 Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! 6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell. 7 For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind: 8 But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. KJV
The reason that the enemy trys so hard to get us to have 'loose lips', speaking things that we really do not want, or even speaking nonsense, is that he has seen first hand how very powerful our words are! Mark 16:20 says this:
20 And they went out and preached everywhere, while the Lord kept working with them and confirming the message by the attesting signs and miracles that closely accompanied [it]. Amen (so be it). AMP
When our words are God's Word, then we give HIM something to work with! When we meditate on God's Word, then THAT is what we will end up speaking out of our mouths, giving God something that He CAN confirm! Joshua 1:8 says this:
8 This Book of the Law shall not depart out of your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, that you may observe and do according to all that is written in it. For then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall deal wisely and have good success. AMP
Speaking the WORD out of our mouths AFTER meditation brings the understanding, and after HEARING that WORD so that faith can come, is what will change situations, circumstances, tests and trials! And THAT is the ONLY way to control this 'rudder' and steer our lives into victory and success and favor, rather than failure and defeat! Such a little 'instrument' to control our very lives! Here is Hillsong again with one of my favorite songs called "Say The Word":
Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!
