Take Heart in the Storm”
When it was decided we should sail
For Italy beyond the gale,
Paul and others were delivered
To a centurion named Julius, ordered.
An Alexandrian ship they found,
Along Asia’s coast they wound.
Aristarchus traveled near,
A Macedonian volunteer.
At Sidon kindness was shown,
Paul was allowed to visit his own.
Past Cyprus under shelter’s side,
Winds against them did collide.
Myra’s port in Lycia’s land,
Another vessel under command —
Bound for Italy’s distant shore,
The voyage slowed more and more.
With difficulty Fair Havens gained,
The Fast now passed, the season strained.
Paul warned them, “Men, I perceive
This voyage loss and harm will leave.”
But captain and owner were believed
Above the prisoner’s word received.
So they set for Phoenix’ bay —
A south wind rose, they sailed away.
Chorus
Take heart in the storm tonight.
The Lord stands near in darkest night.
Though ship be lost and waves roll on,
The risen Lord holds everyone.
Soon a tempest called “Northeaster”
Struck with force they could not master.
Driven under Clauda’s lee,
They secured the lifeboat at sea.
Cables bound the hull in fear,
Lowered gear lest Syrtis near.
Neither sun nor stars appeared,
Many days hope disappeared.
After long abstaining there,
Paul stood forth in storm-torn air:
“You should have listened to my word —
Yet now take heart and be assured.
No life among you shall be lost,
Only ship at heavy cost.
An angel stood by me last night —
The God I serve in faithful sight.
He said, ‘You must before Caesar stand,
And God grants all who sail this land.’”
Fourteen nights in drifting sea,
They sensed land approaching near.
Sailors sought to flee by boat,
But Paul declared what hope he wrote:
“Unless these men remain aboard,
You cannot be saved,” he warned.
So ropes were cut; the boat let go.
At dawn he urged them all to eat,
“For not a hair shall loss defeat.”
He broke the bread and gave them thanks,
Two hundred seventy-six in ranks.
They lightened ship by grain cast out,
Ran aground when day broke out.
The bow stuck fast, the stern was torn,
By pounding waves of crashing storm.
Soldiers planned the prisoners slain,
Lest any swim and flee again.
But Julius, wishing Paul to save,
Stopped the sword that might have waved.
Some swam out, some clung to board —
All escaped as God had sworn.
Chorus
Take heart in the storm tonight.
God’s promise stands though out of sight.
Through broken ship and raging foam,
The Lord brings every soul home.
