Text: Romans 5:6-11, Romans 8:31-39, Hebrews 6:19
I am not a great singer.
In middle school, I decided to make up for mediocre pitch and air support with huge confidence and volume. Instead of being the best singer in the choir, I’m the most enthusiastic. You’ve probably sat next to me in church and thought, “Well, she sure is enjoying herself.”
Once you start to take joy in singing you can really go to town with the harmony. And when I learned to read harmony, well, I was unstoppable. Or is it insufferable? Hard to know.
In college I had a great teacher who taught us to love the rich theological heritage of church music. We all started singing these dear hymns and songs together, and as we learned them, the words and melodies became the background and texture of our college life. Adorable as it sounds, those hymns really were a touchstone for us.
My hands-down favorite from that season is “O The Deep, Deep Love of Jesus.” The harmony is so satisfying to sing, and the whole song rumbles with robust enthusiasm. The hymn writer, Samuel Trevor Francis, didn’t always rumble with robust enthusiasm. When he tells the story of his life, he remembers walking along the Thames in London as a young man and wishing he could throw himself in the water and end it all.
To varying degrees, I think a lot of us have moments of wanting to give up. And not just because “Thames” is hard to pronounce (FYI- it’s “tems”). That college girl singing hymns couldn’t imagine letting go of life; there was still so much joy to be squeezed out of it! But years later, when all the babies were crying and all the diapers needed changing, life looked less plump with promise to me.
Samuel went on to live a very long and gospel-driven life. Good for him, right? Well, I believe that God rescued him. Samuel had a bad spell and he longed for the numbing embrace of water all around him, but instead God gave him love—love “rolling as a mighty ocean in its fullness” over him!
We’ve all heard the lies that Samuel heard in his head. Life can be the worst. Let’s just stop here for a minute: I hear you. I read your stories, too. Some of you have been kicked in the gut too many times for it to be funny anymore.
But I have to believe that the solid, reliable, and deep love of Jesus that surrounds me is better than the ephemeral lies swirling in my head. The Bible promises that He is “a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain.” (Hebrews 6:19)
I get super car sick when I’m the passenger, and a few years ago I was riding with my sister and feeling like I was for sure going to lose it. I put my head down, rocked back and forth, and sang this song to myself. After the trip was over, everyone had a good laugh about how I’m the crazy singing lady.
But isn’t that what we all need sometimes? Sometimes we just need to tuck our heads low, forget about everything else, and hold on to the one thing we know to be true. Shut everything else out for just a minute today, and hold on to the “deep, deep love of Jesus—vast, unmeasured, boundless, free.”
I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ.
– Ephesians 3:17-18
O THE DEEP DEEP LOVE OF JESUS
by Samuel Trevor Francis, 1875
O the deep, deep love of Jesus,
Vast, unmeasured, boundless, free!
Rolling as a mighty ocean
In its fullness over me!
Underneath me, all around me,
Is the current of Thy love
Leading onward, leading homeward
To Thy glorious rest above!
O the deep, deep love of Jesus,
Spread His praise from shore to shore!
How He loveth, ever loveth,
Changeth never, nevermore!
How He watches o’er His loved ones,
Died to call them all His own;
How for them He intercedeth,
Watcheth oer them from the throne!
O the deep, deep love of Jesus,
Love of every love the best!
Tis an ocean vast of blessing,
Tis a haven sweet of rest!
O the deep, deep love of Jesus,
Tis a heaven of heavens to me;
And it lifts me up to glory,
For it lifts me up to Thee!
_________
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Click below to hear the hymn on the She Reads Truth |Hymns II Spotify playlist.
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133 thoughts on "O The Deep, Deep Love of Jesus"
I don’t remember this hymn, but what a profound testament of God’s love for us.
I’ve grown up in a church that sings hymns my whole life and I’ve never heard this one! Or, at least, I don’t remember it. The words are beautiful, how have I missed this one??
In the throes of postpartum as a new mom, this was balm for my soul. How vast is the Lords love for me. All praise to Him.
Lord help me understand just how much you love me
Grateful for God’s never-ending love!
Very beautiful
Man, I needed this today! Thank you! ❤️
Thank you for this truth this morning!
<3
Beautiful lyrics and extremely quotable.
Nothing will come between I and our Lord Jesus Christ’s relation!
The words to this song we’re so comforting
I am new to the app and have only been doing the hymn devotionals for a little over a week, but this one really spoke to me. Maybe it’s because I have been going through a rather bleak period in my life. You could say the last 12 or so years have been one bad decision after the other and the worse part was thinking I could handle it without God. I have been at the edge, I have wanted to end it all, but something always pulled me back. These last few weeks including the one I found this app in, have really put things into perspective and given me the wake up call I needed. God loves me all the time and all I need do is ask for Him and He is there
Audrey Assad has a beautiful version of this hymn that has been often stuck in my head over the past few months. I love the imagery of God’s love as a current that holds us and moves us through whatever other circumstances are.
Lord, please impress me with your deep love today!
God is really faithful! The deep, deep love of God. Thank you for sharing this. This is very timely… It’s a reminder for me to stay in the deep, deep love of God.
Amazing! I needed this.. Right now… He intercedes for us. For me. It’s deep, deep love. Thank you!
I love music! This is such an awesome devotion app! I love it! Thank you SRT! ❤️-xoxo Abigail
I need to remember this deep deep love…this series is so helpful…my tough times are often in the middle of the night…up with a young baby and feeling very sleep deprived…Sleep deprivation leaves me very open to these lies….I convince myself that I am the only mum who is unable and in my head incapable of helping her baby sleep and of staying calm when he doesn’t. In these moments I find it so helpful to repeat the words of these hymns in my mind…to remember those promises!
We love because he first loved us.
1 John 4:19 NIV
http://bible.com/111/1jn.4.19.NIV
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Romans 5:8 NIV
http://bible.com/111/rom.5.8.NIV
And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.
1 John 4:16 NIV
http://bible.com/111/1jn.4.16.NIV
“Underneath me, all around me”- comforting. It feels like I can’t handle any more pain. Surely there’s a limit, right?! It feels like the ocean is swirling around me. all I can hold onto is that Jesus is in these waves with me, God is holding me. All around me. just feels so heavy sometimes.
I love that moment so much so I have a hard time moving away from it. I want to just stay there. I tantrum like a child when God says it’s time to move again within the world.
Fear and doubt however are now gone and hope illuminates. Thank you Lord for those moments.
Thank you for this song. Lately it seems like the world is falling down around me. I understand Sameul’s feelings all too well. Some days it seems impossible to keep going.
I have been in a time of learning to lean on Jesus. I so needed this today. I have been feeling so tired of struggling through, and this encouraged me so much!
I’ve been battling crippling anxiety for the last 3 months and tonight I was thinking how done I am with it all…. But this is exactly what I needed to read tonight. Praise you Lord and thank you for your abundant and unfailing love!
I’ve been having that feeling of being “kicked too many times in the gut for it to be funny anymore” lately, and between reading and studying Job:1 last night and this today I feel so reassured in my faith and the love of Jesus surrounding me even today. Thank you for this!
Some days are difficult and it’s hard to remember that we always have someone who unconditionally loves us and who has given his life for us…but if we hold on to the truth and faith God has given us, we can live a life unmeasurable, steadfast and free with our dear savior for all eternity everlasting. I’m so thankful for my father God and I will love and worship him forever because he has given it all to me so I want to lay down my life and give it all to him.
Forgetting everything for a moment and clinging to what you know. Love this!
Oh boy! This really hit the spot. I’m a mommy of two boys. One is four and one is nearly two. Some days (ah, who am I kidding…most days) I just cannot win! Frustration, selfishness, fear of failure…they all overwhelm me and I find myself distant and angry. This post reminds me that grace just keeps on abounding!! Yes, when I’m mad! Yes, when I’m tired! Yes, when I just don’t see the “joy”! I will never be perfect. And that’s exactly why I need Jesus!! Thank you SRT!
my favorite part was when she said that you sometimes need to forget everything else and just hold onto what you know. love it.
Oh how I needed this today. I’ve been suffering from anxiety lately over everything happening in the world right now, but this was a wonderful reminder..”38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” What a blessing! Thankful for His promises.
^
Oh the DEEP deep LOVE of Jesus. Vast. Unmeasured. Boundless. FREE.
Rolling as a MIGHTY ocean
It it’s fullness over ME.
Oh that deep deep love of Jesus.
On most Mondays I find myself focusing on how I can be better. I want to start my week out moving towards perfection. That mentality is not rooted in Christ’s love. Oh may I slow down today and meditate on that love. May I be present to the moment at hand.
As my husband and I start our adoption journey,I’ve been looking for scriptures to pray over because sometimes things don’t work out like we want, or this process seems never ending, but today I found the scripture for our birth mother through this message and I’m just so joyous and happy I’ve found peace about it.
“I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ.” Ephesians 3:17-18
I NEED her to feel love and I want to show her love like Christ and be a light for her.
I truly feel like this message was wrote for me today. Thank you!
He gives the childless woman a family, making her a happy mother. Praise the LORD! (Psalms 113:9 NLT). Trust his promises
If there’s one word to describe the love of God, it is INDESCRIBABLE.
Reading this devotional on Easter Sunday. Leading up to today, I find myself in a monotony of life. Things just feel too common. But, O the Deep, deep love of Jesus. Embraces me no matter where I find myself. Will carry me when I’m unaware and even don’t care. He is risen and His love never fails.
Loving this series so far! It gives me so much comfort each day! Some days I read it first thing of the morning and other days in my lunch break. I love reading about the history of the hymn. Also loving the app! Glad I got it!!
Really needed the reminder of Gods deep great love!! While reading this I realized that whenever I am struggling with my idols or am constantly feeling down about myself… I need to meditate on Gods love for me because if he loves me I need to learn to love myself!! And his love will make me stronger because he is the only love I need!!
Love this song
Yes this series is a winderdul reminder of the love of Christ. my heart is touched with every days insights
A great reminder of the truth that God loves us deeply. This is something that is difficult for me to remember each day and grasp.
“All the babies crying and all the diapers need changing” this is my life. With a just-turned-3-year-old and 2 fifteen month olds, let’s just say I’m teetering on the brink of insanity. Especially this week, our second week of winter weather in TX when it is supposed to be spring! It is the truth that sustains me, the love of Jesus, he is good in all things and is at work in my family. Now I just need to find my earplugs.
I’m right there with you! I have a 3 year old and a 17 month old, also in TX with this crazy weather. We’re stir crazy and ready for spring! I need this reminder to rely on the deep love of Jesus to get me through!
I bet your a amazing mom
….and all the time God is good!!!
God is good…and all the time!!
Needed this today. God’s love for us is not only wide but it has depth. He knows us better that we know ourselves. Sometimes I get so caught up in expectations, work, and due dates that I forget to meditate on His deep love! God is good all the time!!
Never heard this hymn before… Love it!!
used to sing this with my family, love the story. loving someone who also wants an end to it all makes you even more grateful for the anchor of hope that is the deep love of Jesus. thanks for the truth this morning!
I need this soo deep and I have started to get in my keenes before I go to sleep have my time with God no phones …no laptop …no nothing …just me and my Daddy God. It’s be amazing feeling of do that that soo yes I can totally understand girl !! I need this thankz !!!!
So good! God is soo good. And what an amazing reminder that His Love is so deep and FULL for us! In every battle or struggle or failure His Love NEVER Fails for us.
Beautiful lyrics…wonderful reminder of the vastness of His love for us. Thanks for sharing!
Hahaha- you put your head down when you were car sick??? No! That makes it so much much worse! Hehehe- all I could think of when I read this (fellow car-sickness sufferer) but seriously- so much joy comes through in this and what a beautiful reminder to let the love of Jesus overwhelm us rather than the lies xoxo thank you
Thank you.
Beautiful.
This has been one of my favorite hymns since my childhood singing it in church… It too for me has been a comfort through the darkness of depression that I have been through. I am amazed at how deep the love of Jesus is, and how I have not even touched the surface of how deep it goes.
This song is one of my favorites. Sovereign Grace Music sings it beautifully on their “Come Weary Saints” CD. Same words, different music. It’s beautiful!
This was so encouraging to me and was exactly what I needed! I’ve been going through a lot here lately but one thing is for sure God has sure been a rock for me! He has given me the strength to make it through each day! I sure appreciate this devotional,it is a blessing!!
Romans 5:6-8 “For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will hardly die for a righteous man; though perhaps for the good man someone would dare even to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us”. This contrast though. I am unwilling to be inconvenienced so often … even for people I love. But God. He died for me? Before I knew Him. When I hated Him! And then He sought me out when I was His enemy. I’m not sure this has ever hit me quite like this before :(
“And then He sought me out when I was His enemy. “… O the depth of such a love!
Romans 8:38 “For I am convinced…”
That is the declaration of someone who lives a life without fear. How grateful am I, who still quakes with fear when the way gets dark and rough, am not exempt from that great, washing, sustaining Love. The more trouble I face, the more love covers me, the more convinced I become, the less space fear has to play in my life. “Tis a heaven of heavens to me”!
Me and 8 of my best friends got tattoos of an anchor to represent our Faith (Hebrews 6:19) Family and Friends. My anchor holds⚓️amen!
Ah how I needed this reminder! I’ve been through the wars the last year or so and many times I’ve wanted to end it all. If it wasn’t for Jesus being my anchor, I would have tried. But what a STRONG solid anchor He is! No matter how fiercely the storm raged, I was kept and held and protected- even when I just wanted to throw off the anchor… I couldn’t. Jesus held me fast. I’ve been struggling again the past few weeks and this is what I need to hear. Head down low, ears blocked, just running blindly to Jesus and holding on to the truth of His steadfast love! Thank you so so much for this encouragement! These devotions are changing my life. Praise God!
Tomorrow afternoon I will be taking NCLEX (nursing state boards). I would be SO grateful for any prayers during this test!
SHANNON! I’m an RN so I actually know what you’re going through! You will be fine! Don’t psych yourself out! And if you feel like you don’t know any answers…THAT IS HOW EVERYONE FEELS. I am praying for you right now. Praying for peace, confidence, that the Lord will bring the knowledge to mind that you need, and for 75 questions!
Thanks so much Christina. It means a lot!
“…have to believe that the solid, reliable, & deep love of Jesus that surrounds me is better than the ephemeral lies swirling in my head.”
Friends, my heart and mind have been shaken once again to the core this month. I’ve been in and out of a wilderness season for a couple of years. But I know that God is using this bittersweet time to draw me close to Him. And although I’m in a new town – desperate for friends and a community yet allowing my feelings of self doubt to hold me captive – I have to know that this time will not last forever.
And the love of Jesus never changes and He watches over me. Grateful. Hopeful in the dark. Trusting His good to prevail in my life.
Praying for you Beverly. Lord please wrap her up in your loving arms, let her feel your presence. Holy Spirit comfort her as only you can. I hope you keep strong dear,xo.
Thank you, sweet Beth. I appreciate your prayer. :)
I am in the same season Beverly! Praying for you!
Emily, I’ll be prayerful for you as well. May God fill you with so much grace and peace and hope so that you may overflow with His goodness and love. xo, Beverly
This was perfect for today! Hebrews 6:19 is my all time favorite verse ! Last night I found out I am expecting baby #2 I have wanted it for so long and I just had this hope that The Lord would pull through and bless our family when the timing was right! Last night when I saw those little 2 pink lines I felt his love was over me like never before!
Congratulations!! Your hope and peace are inspiring for such a sweet time!
I also found out I am expecting baby #2 this week. My husband and I hoped and prayed for 15 months for this to happen. When I would become impatient, I kept reminding myself to trust in God’s timing. He is never wrong. Congratulations on your pregnancy!!!
Wow!! Did indeed need this today. Most of you know what I’m going through with my battle with cancer. I was back in emergency room last night, wonderful husband by my side. I had gladder surgery surgery last week and have had lots of swelling in my legs. Come to find out it was from my cancer pressing against my legs and making them swell. I do believe this was God working though, or I would have had to wait 2 mouths to get it.
Do I feel like giving up sometimes? ,,, heck ya, but then I go back to my Lord and know he’s smack in the middle of it all. Thank you ladies,, once perfect timing. xoxo
Beth, your words of bravery are so encouraging today! So thankful for His presence in the midst of the unknown. What a sweet friend you are to us! Praying you encounter His deep, deep love today!
xoxo-Kaitlin for She Reads Truth
Thank you so much dear lady.thank you Girls.
Honestly Beth, your testimony and love for Jesus is so impacting. Praise God for your beautiful faith!!! How precious it is in God’s eyes!!! Praying for you dear sister x
Thank you sweetheart,
Is amazing that in those moments of despair is when we feel closer to God. Last year I dealt with this feeling almost the entire year, everything was going wrong and I was so tired of fighting with the pressures of this world. In those moments is when I came to him and poured out my heart to him and at these moments is when I felt him the strongest, I felt his peace, his love, and nothing else mattered. He gave me the strength to carry on, no matter how difficult and impossible the situation seemed. He was preparing me for something big, he is still preparing me. I still don't know what it is, but I feel it in my heart and I'm no longer scared because I walk in faith, I walk in his footsteps, he is my guide.
Sisters hold on to the only thing that is true and constant in our lives which is Jesus. In the morning give me Jesus, in the afternoon give me Jesus, at night give me Jesus! No matter how desperate you are, seek him and trust in his word, he will give you a joy and peace like no matter. Don't give up sisters he is with us and he will never leave us. God bless….
Thanks for your encouragement, Gema! And for sharing your hope and story.
Laughed and loved reading this gem this AM. Oh the deep love of our father is a beautiful thing. Hallelujah.
I needed this.
Vanessa, we are so grateful to have you in our community! Praying you encounter the "deep, deep love of Jesus" today!
xoxo-Kaitlin for She Reads Truth
Loved this post for so many reasons. I had to just laugh as I TOTALLY identify with the whole singing loudly and with much enthusiasm to compensate for lack of other musical skills. Just ask anyone in my high school choirs! (Sorry folks of Carman-Ainsworth and Jenison!) ;)
But, I also loved toward the end how she described that clinging to Jesus when we really can't do anything else. So often, we come to the end of ourselves and just need to abide in Him, however insane it looks to the watching world.
Thankful for this study!
Laura, we are so thankful you joined us today! In my opinion, singing loudly is the only option! :) So happy to hear what The Lord is teaching you through this study!
xoxo-Kaitlin for She Reads Truth
Ah, a Michigander, I see!
This is so great. It was exactly what I needed to start my day!
This couldn't have come at a better time. I have been struggling to recover from a major trauma, and it's gotten so impossibly hard that I've wanted (and tried) to end it all many times. But there is hope in Christ and I have to just do as you said and "hold on to the one thing" I know to be true. Thank you for this encouragement, I'll hold on a little longer.
Joy – I will be praying for you this week. I too struggled with depression last summer/fall/winter and all I can say is that it IS going to be okay. Just keep holding on, and I promise you WILL make it through this. Praying God’s love and protection over you!
Joy, don’t give up – the world needs you! God has you here for a grand purpose. Lean into Him. He will turn your trauma to good in His way and His time. Prayers and hugs to you, sweet Joy. (Joy is my word of 2015 – I will pray to our great Father for you when I meditate on JOY throughout this year.)
Joy, there is such bravery in your words! Thank you for sharing your heart with us. I'll be praying that you encounter the "deep, deep love of Jesus" as you hold on today. We love having you in our community!
xoxo-Kaitlin for She Reads Truth
Joy, I pray for you today.keep holding on. God's plans for you are immensely greater than you can imagine. Allow Him to continue to His great work in you…you will see the awesome wonders of His works for you. Wait…and watch His plans unfold. His love is great toward you. You are the apple of His eye! Psalm 118:17 says "You shall live and not die, and declare the works of The Lord." Continue to hold on. Even when it doesn't look or feel like it, The Lord is always at work…He thinks of us always…He has us on His mind!
This is so beautiful. Just what I needed today!!
We love having you here, Anna! Blessings to you today!
xoxo-Kaitlin for She Reads Truth
I am so thankful this morning to know that my Father loves me. A couple of years ago my church had a special worship service on a Friday night with a couple of awesome worship bands. I don’t remember the song that was playing. I don’t remember which group was singing. But I remember clear as day, as I stood there with my hands raised, I heard God say “I love you Miranda.”
I knew that. I had sang about it as a child. But something changed that night. His love became real during a really rough time in my life. Jesus loves me! Because the Bible tells me so. Because HE tells me so! And I believe He is saying the same thing to each of you today. Be blessed!
Amen! I receive!
My daddy is the music leader at my family’s (and mine before marriage) church. One of his biggest emphasis was that hymns had a wonderful place in the midst of more modern praise songs, and that it was a beautiful thing to mix the two. He always wanted the young people of the church to enjoy hymns, and thanks to his leading, most of our favorite songs are hymns. Hymns are so full of meaning and feeling – it’s a rare thing for a song to be so theological and yet so emotionally moving, hymns are those songs for me. This study has been so wonderful as it has just made me stop and really contemplate the songs I grew up singing, and reading through the lyrics has caused me to deeply consider the truths that are there. Oh, how thankful I am for men and women of God who wrote these wonderful hymns and for the wonderful truths they cause me to sing of! And most of all for the depth of Jesus’ love FOR ME.
The power of the ocean is unsettling for me — huge waves coming to take me out (in my dreams). Yet the power of God's love for me comes crashing in, wave after wave, and this is comforting.
A beautiful picture, Valanne!
Testing app
"Spread His praise from shore to shore!"
I need to do more praising. Lately I feel like I've been doing a lot of complaining to God– complaining about my job and how I wish I could just quit. Complaining about the germs and temporary illness in our house. Complaining about the baby weight and my pants not fitting. Complaining about the weather and wishing I could take a vacation. It's time for me to just put my head down and sing of His love. To praise Him for a job that pays the bills and allows for extras, for the quick return to health for those in my house who have been sick, for the precious babe that resulted in too-tight pants, for the snow that excites my older kids and the promise that spring will come. His love is so deep and worthy of praise.
i'm with you…more praising and less complaining!
“When we were yet without strength” is me today: went to bed late working on lesson plans and slept through my run this morning. Thankful for the reminder that He is not hindered by my weakened because of his great strength and love.
It is an unfathomable amount how much He loves me. And to know that there are no bounds to His love is still beyond my comprehension. It is deeper than the deepest sea, larger than the sky, bigger than the whole of space. Yet He is right here next to me always.
“But I have to believe that the solid, reliable, and deep love of Jesus that surrounds me is better than the ephemeral lies swirling in my head.” This is soooo powerful. I used to let Satan use my mind as his playground believeing all of the negative lies about myself, my future and family. I’d believed that I was condemned and that I’d done too much for God to forgive me. I tried to commit suicide years ago, and that was before I knew God. I was just…tired. Oh, but He is truly my soul’s anchor. His love is so overwhelming that at times I can’t help, but to sit back with my head down in awe… I honestly don’t always have peace about things, but when I do just kneel before Him he causes my soul to rest…speechless.
No better way to begin another gift of a day than to hear how much my savior loves me!!
Oh, His love! Always there. Always deeper than we can phathom. Praise Him!
I awakened this morning…still and thinking about my childhood with a smile. The sheets from the bed upon which I slept, awakening in a completely different position than that which I had fallen asleep in…Wildly asleep, but rested…talking to god about it all. Then my mind went to something that I completely forgot to do yesterday…something that is of great importance to my son…something so simple…he reminded me, but by bed time, I forgot. First there was anger, then tears rolled, because I can't do it all. There is only one of me, and in trying to get things done, I sometimes drop the ball. But why this, why something so important to him…I feel so overwhelmed at times…mentally…emotionally. Sometimes so down, so worn out…yet I know that "His strength is sufficient", and in my weakness He is strong. Sometimes though, I just need a good cry. Even in this, I still have much to be thankful for…But oh how I need to shut EVERYTHING out for a minute, and hide myself in his deep deep love. To be refreshed, to be restored, to be renewed. "The prayers of the righteous availeth much." Your prayers for me today would be greatly appreciated. And I pray that you all will have that "deep, deep love moment during your day. Blessings to you all and to you all at SRT.
That is beautiful Maderia! Even in your suffering this, it's beautiful. And so relatable. I often wonder how my oldest has any faith in my word to remember things…..but she does. She gives me opportunity after opportunity to get it right. I, too, feel so overwhelmed in just the daily sometimes, that to add anything to it leaves me concerned that something will not be accomplished, which serves to defeat me…..but that is all enemy territory. I know that God wants me to feel valuable even in my forgetting. I will be lifting you up today Maderia, prayerful that your son with understand and that you will have grace in it today. That you will be given a new opportunity and that you will wildly see the fruits of it. ~ B
Thank you so very much…for sharing and for praying
"Rolling as a mighty ocean
In its fullness over me!
Underneath me, all around me,
Is the current of Thy love"
The night of my 9 year old's birth was a quiet night shared with God for me. I suffered a severe pregnancy disorder that nearly took my life and that of my daughter's. That night, as my health worsened instead of getting better, my most vivid memory is of the long conversation I had with God. My husband was with our eldest daughter at home, the rest of my small family out of town and no one else allowed to visit. I remember insisting my husband be with our then 7 year old and after that nothing, except God. It was the oddest thing…I was awake, or at least it felt like I was, but I don't remember my nurses or doctors and it felt as if my body was sinking, like I was leaving, BUT I remember God in it. He was faithful and remained with me. I was physically unable to see the entire day and night, but I could *feel* God, *feel* His love and feel the peace that came with it. I remember two nights before I had my daughter, as I lay on bedrest in the hospital, hearing another ailing mother cry out for pain relief, but this wasn't like that for me. I was quiet, I didn't feel pain, I didn't feel discomfort, I didn't feel anything but God. I was not certain I would wake in the morning and I remember discussing my desires, my fears with Him that night, there were tears, but there was so much love, so much peace. It was intimate, warm and life changing. I will never forget God with me, feeling my Father sit with me, endure the many hours with me, just being, comforting me and waiting it out with me.
I was not familiar with this beautiful song, but the words above provide such an apt description of what I felt that night, "fullness over me". I have never had a term, in almost ten years, fit my experience so perfectly. Thank you for sharing this, it brings tears to me as I recall this experience in my life. God has never forsaken me. In all things, the good, the hurtful, the scary, He has been there. Words truly are inadequate for the thanks, the love, the joy I have for my Father, my Rock, my Comforter, my Savior. His love truly, truly IS an ocean, vast of blessing! ~ B
Overwhelming! What a testimony of peace that passes understanding. Wow. You painted the picture so beautifully too. So very thankful God took you THROUGH that harrowing time in your life so you could raise your children and love your family. God is good no matter our circumstances and He is with us. ♥
Wow. Thank you so much for sharing this with us! I’m so glad He saw fit to wake you in the morning and to restore your body as to do more Kingdom work here.
This is awesome!!, thank you so much sharing. I needed to hear your story too. God bless you sister. Xo
Your memory brought tears to my eyes. Thank you so much for sharing this.
How for them He intercedeth, Watcheth oer them from the throne!
It blows my mind still that the maker of all heaven and earth intercedes on our behalf! As he sits on his throne, the spirit intercedes for us…
Yes, I love that truth too, Alyssa! What a good Father He is!
xoxo-Kaitlin for She Reads Truth
Life is not fair. God never promised it would be. But He promised He would send the Comforter, the Holy Spirit to abide IN us. No longer would Jesus be with them in Body, physically walking with them, talking, etc. No, it would be even better if that were possible…He would be IN us!! His Word tells us," I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” IN ME.
When I went overseas for the second time, for a year, I was hit with such a spirit of fear that I had never experienced before. Wringing of the hands fear, overwhelming, suffocating, "I've got to get out of here" fear. I was shocked that I was going through this because I had sold out and sold pretty much everything I owned to be there, planting new churches in the former Soviet Union. What was wrong with ME? Why was I afraid?
Of course the enemy didn't want us there, he had owned that territory for so long that he would do anything to keep us from taking it from him and establishing a work for God. It wasn't anything I had done, anything wrong with me (although I was sure it was!), we all came under attack of some kind. But when I was prayed for, I was instantly at peace. A sincere peace that passed human understanding. It was so immediate that we were all surprised.
Ha, aren't we like that with God? We pray and pray for something and He gives it and we are surprised! But I was instantly at peace and knew that if the enemy attacked again I would know how to overcome, because Christ had already overcome death, hell and the grave and He owned the keys to any spiritual attack I might face while there working for Him. It worked when we invoked the Name above every name…Jesus!
That peace truly does pass our understanding. No matter what we go through, we can do as Rebecca did, reminding ourselves God is with us and that makes everything alright. Quote scripture, sing songs unto Him, building up our most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost. And that peace will be there… Underneath me, all around me, is the current of thy love!
I love that last stanza of the hymn! Love of every love, the best!…….And it lifts me up to glory, for it lifts me up to Thee!!
A Comforter abiding IN us! When we grasp that reality it's impossible to contain our Joy! This song truly reflects that! ~ B
I was thinking about God's peace this morning. I'm at a point in my life where my future is completely uncertain. All the earthly things I care about may soon be taken from me. And yet, God is filling me with peace. I can't understand it, I can't explain it, but I know it is from Him. I know He has a plan for all of this. Anyway, I could totally relate when you said you pray and pray for something and then are surprised when he gives it to us. This morning as I was driving, I just kept thinking, "Why am I so at peace, Lord? This makes so sense, Lord". But I know it truly surpasses any earthly understanding I may have. God is so good, and when the enemy brings me fear and lies I know I can look to the One who loves us deeper than we could ever fathom.
amen! praying for you this morning sister, I don't know what God has in hand for you but I'm happy to know that he is filling you with his peace, in this uncertain world his peace and his guidance is all we need. God bless you.
Love your strong faith despite the unknown! Praying for you, sister!
Amen! thank you sister for being obedient to God's word even in moments of fear. I myself know what it is to deal with fear and receive the peace of God after seeking him. Sisters we have the tools lets use them! come to him and he will give us what we need, either physically, or emotionally. He will always fill us with peace, knowledge, courage, or whatever it is that we need in that moment to carry on. Let's seek him more in prayer. God bless you all!
Oh I needed this today! I need to just hide myself in the deep deep love of my Father! My heart is beaten down and wounded and only His love can restore me!
Can I tell you what gets me every time, I read words others have written, long before I was even a twinkle in my parents, parents eyes….that no matter what I am feeling ….someone in 1645..1876..,1387..1570…would have felt it at some point or other…these moments of sadness, joy, euphoria, abundance, lack, wanting, blessing, confusion, etc, has been there for as long as I guess life has….I am often overwhelmed to read or hear of others, who have perhaps walked in similar shoes….it is NOT exclusive to me or my 'time' it has always been……Then…comes the real seal it deal, for me …the discovery and head, heart, soul knowledge that there is a God…that He hears us, He forgives us, He saves us, He protects us, God loves us…oh, how He loves us….and this, this has been for as long as life has been toooooo….
When singing a hymn, which was written, like this one, say, in 1875, and I seriously take in the words, into my heart…and perhaps visualize the words as I sing…for me, that moment is special….as in me, I see and feel what the author of such words, also felt and saw to write them…does that make sense…The bible is God's truth…God's word.. and I DO NOT doubt it for one minute, but the words of ahymns, as recent as they are, compared to the bible, are words of another human, who wrote of God's love,.. how God saved them, ..or how God has redeemed them through the power of the cross..or how Jesus has made a way….I think what I am rambling on about, is that, life does happen, and it has been happening since the beginning of time…the Bible, the hymns…they all point to that……and…But God…He has been there in every page of every story, from the beginning…Adam and Eve, Joseph, Daniel, ..Hosea,…Malachi, ..Matthew, ..Saul (Paul) , ..Samuel Trevor Francis, ..John Newton, ..Tina Blankson, ..You…God is the constant, the One, …Same yesteryear, today, and for sure tomorrow….and I for one are mighty thankful for this Beautiful and Almighty, Loving and protecting, Giver of HOPE, throughout time, in my life, my time…and as for His love….I pray it continue to wash over each and every one here and ours, and beyond….
I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ…..THIS is a forever ever LOVE…no doubt, what so ever…Claim it!!…Sing it!!! Preach it !!! .It is as wide as it is deep as it is high….it is abundant…and by God's Grace, it is for all…Amen.x
I love you too, sisters…Be Blessed…xxx
I’ve been so enjoying this series. It’s like I can barely wait to read through the next devotional! God has been speaking to me, through each day, though I am still so overwhelmed by the peace that day 2 (His Eye is on the Sparrow) brought me.
Molly, we love having you with us for this study! Grateful for you!
xoxo-Kaitlin for She Reads Truth