"I arise today
with God's strength to pilot my course..."
At the age of 16, Patrick, not yet having knowledge of the one true God, was taken captive from his home in England and sold into slavery in Ireland. It was during this time of captivity that He became aware of God and began his journey toward becoming a believer.
In his own words: "And he watched over me before I knew him, and before I learned sense or even distinguished between good and evil, and he protected me, and consoled me as a father would his son."
As his faith grew, he began to sense the leading of God in all areas of his life, including a 200-mile trek, on foot, across Ireland, led by the Holy Spirit, to a particular ship which would take him away from this land and his captors.
When Moses and the people of Israel had escaped the pursuit of the Egyptians, they sang a song of celebration. One of the lines says:
“In your unfailing love you will lead
the people you have redeemed.
In your strength you will guide them
to your holy dwelling." (Ex. 15:13)
They knew that God had led them out of their captivity by His power and that they could rely upon that strength and guidance to see them through the remainder of their days.
Even though we know these things about God and how He works, it's good to be reminded of them on a daily basis, isn't it? This is where Patrick is coming from when he writes this.
Let us "not forget all His benefits." (Ps. 103:2b)
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