Charted vs. Chanced

“What man is he that feareth the LORD?  Him shall he teach in the way that HE shall choose” (Psalm 25:12).  “The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe” (Proverbs 18:10).  “The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and He knoweth them that trust in Him” (Nahum 1:7).  “There stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve, saying, Fear not, Paul; thou must be brought before Caesar: and, lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee.  Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me” (Acts 27:23-25). 

Our life, like a ship that is charted,

Is right on the course God has planned. 
Before our life’s voyage was started,
Our times were then held in His hand. 

The Lord saw the day in advance

When we would cry out in our fear. 
Our life was not given to chance
When God in that moment drew near.

The Lord showed Himself in that hour

To be the great Refuge we needed.
We found Him to be a strong Tower;
He called us inside, and we heeded. 

How good is the God of salvation

And gracious the path that He chose
To draw us by His orchestration
With grace that He richly bestows. 

How great our security is

In Christ, as we trust in His name!
The Lord surely knows who are His: 
He called us as sheep, and we came.

Consider the voyage of Paul,

Transported to Rome through the storm:  
The Lord kept him safe through it all,
And told him what He would perform. 

How rightly with Paul we can say

That “I believe God” will be true,
Assured at the end of the day,
He’ll do all He said He will do. 

O Lord, we give thanks for Your grace

Which charted our course long before
And also prepares us a place
In heaven with You evermore! 

Until we are home with You, Lord,

Beholding Your glory above,
We trust that Your grace will afford
A way to show others Your love.