Constrained by their Lord to embark, <br />And venture, without him, to sea; <br />The season tempestuous and dark, <br />How grieved the disciples must be! <br />But though he remained on the shore, <br />He spent the night for them in prayer; <br />They still were as safe as before, <br />And equally under his care. <br /> <br />They strove, though in vain, for a while, <br />The force of the waves to withstand; <br />But when they were wearied with toil, <br />They saw their dear Saviour at hand: <br />They gladly received him on board, <br />His presence their spirits revived; <br />The sea became calm at his word, <br />And soon at their port they arrived. <br /> <br />We, like the disciples, are tossed <br />By storms, on a perilous deep; <br />But cannot be possibly lost, <br />For Jesus has charge of the ship: <br />Though billows and winds are enraged, <br />And threaten to make us their sport; <br />This pilot his word has engaged <br />To bring us, in safety, to port. <br /> <br />If sometimes we struggle alone, <br />And he is withdrawn from our view; <br />It makes us more willing to own, <br />We nothing, without him, can do: <br />Then Satan our hopes would assail, <br />But Jesus is still within call; <br />And when our poor efforts quite fail, <br />He comes in good time and does all. <br /> <br />Yet, Lord, we are ready to shrink. <br />Unless we thy presence perceive; <br />O save us (we cry) or we sink, <br />We would, but we cannot believe <br />The night has been long and severe, <br />The winds and the seas are still high; <br />Dear Saviour, this moment appear, <br />And say to our souls, It is I!<br /><br />John Newton<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/the-disciples-at-sea/
