Eternal Father, Strong to Save (Evangelical Lutheran Worship 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.
Text: William Whiting; Music: John B. Dykes; Public Domain
Devotion
As I think about the 4th of July celebrations happening this past week, I want to give a shameless plug for what is known as “The Navy Hymn.” (This former Navy submariner and current Navy chaplain may be just a little biased!) Whatever one’s feelings about war and military operations, the vocation of military service is one of selfless sacrifice, love for others, and standing up for those who cannot defend themselves.
The final verse of the hymn speaks to all of us as we travel along life’s journey, living out the vocations to which God has called us. May each of us find great joy in following Christ as his disciples—whether that be on land, in the air, or at sea!
Prayer
Eternal Father, continue to save us from ourselves. Save us from our indifference, our timidness, our despair. Save us so that we might rise to serve you. Amen.