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 Often, as a ship approaches a harbor, there is only one safe angle that it may come in from. There may be rocks, a coral reef, or other dangers that would prove hazardous if the ship sails in from the wrong direction. While the lighthouse marks the harbor, alone it provides no information as to the direction from which the harbor may be safely reached. Since the lighthouse may be seen from many angles, there must be another light, the lower light to guide the ship in the right direction. The ship must sail until it sees this lower light in line with the lighthouse and approach the harbor at this angle. In this hymn, our Heavenly Father stands as the lighthouse, constantly marking the harbor. However, we are entrusted to the keeping of the lower lights. It is our responsibility to keep that light constantly shining so that our brothers and sisters out on the stormy seas of life may evade the danger and be brought safely into the harbor.
Sailors like to sing this hymn.
 Brightly beams our Father’s mercy From his lighthouse evermore, But to us he gives the keeping Of the lights along the shore. Dark the night of sin has settled; Loud the angry billows roar, Eager eyes are watching, longing, For the lights along the shore. Trim your feeble lamp, my brother; Some poor sailor, tempest-tossed, Trying now to make the harbor, In the darkness may be lost. Let the lower lights be burning; Send a gleam across the wave. Some poor fainting, struggling sea-man You may rescue, you may save. Text and music: Philip Paul Bliss, 1838-1876 |
