Eternal Father, Strong to Save (ELW 756)
1 Eternal Father, strong to save,
whose arm has bound the restless wave,
who bade the mighty ocean deep
its own appointed limits keep:
oh, hear us when we cry to thee
for those in peril on the sea.
2 O Savior, whose almighty word
the winds and waves submissive heard,
who walked upon the foaming deep,
and calm amid the storm didst sleep:
oh, hear us when we cry to thee
for those in peril on the sea.
3 O Holy Spirit, who didst brood
upon the chaos dark and rude,
and bid its angry tumult cease,
and give, for wild confusion, peace:
oh, hear us when we cry to thee
for those in peril on the sea.
4 O Trinity of love and pow’r,
all trav’lers guard in danger’s hour
from rock and tempest, fire and foe,
protect them wheresoe’er they go;
thus evermore shall rise to thee
glad hymns and praise from land and sea.
Devotion
As a young man, William Whiting was sailing off the coast of England, when a violent storm threatened the ship upon which he was sailing, and he was thankful that God spared his life. Some years later, a young student preparing to sail to America unburdened his fear to Whiting. Whiting then wrote these words to provide comfort to that student, and over the decades, to many seafarers. Whiting’s words have been adopted to serve as the Royal Hymn for the British Navy, as well as the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Coast Guard.
I expect that most of us can identify with this young student. Ventures unknown can bring anxiety; dark and rude chaos can grip our lives. Taking a risk can make us afraid, and at the same time fill us with excitement. The fear is real, but so too is God’s promised presence. Remember Emmanuel: God is with us! And then may you embrace the hymn’s final stanza:
“Thus evermore shall rise to thee glad hymns and praise from land and sea.”
Prayer
Prince of Peace, calm our hearts and minds as we navigate the storms of this world. Amen.