I enjoyed waking up to "Jesus, Savior, Pilot Me" this morning as I do not recall hearing it in many years. I first remember hearing it when I was a teenager. I believe it almost became a song of prayer for me and some of my teenage friends as we were asking for guidance and direction through the difficulties of life.
I realized I knew very little about the song this morning so I decided I would look it up and see what I could find. It was written by Rev. Edward Hooper and the music by John E. Gould in 1871. Rev. Hooper was pastor of a church in the New York harbor called "Church of Land and Sea". His ministry was mostly to the sailors as they came and went to and from their ships. He wrote this song anonymously, as he did all of his works, and used nautical type language - charts, compasses, and the absolute need for a competent pilot to guide their crafts that all sailors knew well. At the age of 72, Rev. Hooper's thoughts in the third verse were realized. He died at his desk with pen in hand, writing a poem about Heaven.
No doubt, as we go through today's tempestuous sea of life, with the unknown waves all around us, we need the compass and charts Jesus, our Savior gives us! He can hush the oceans wild, the boisterous waves will obey His will, "Jesus, Savior, Pilot Me". I hope you will enjoy hearing this old hymn this morning!
I look forward to seeing you in prayer meeting tonight!
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