Someone asked me if I had to
describe the love of God, how would I describe it? Well, that's even
harder than describing romantic love or familial love! I pondered the
question and all I could think of was one of my favorite old hymns
written by Frederick M. Lehman in 1917. (It is now Public Domain.) It
was based on the following scriptures: John
3:16; and Romans 8:38 I used to love to hear George Beverly Shea sing
it on "The Billy Graham Crusades". I do believe this song is a master
piece, especially with such a formidable task as describing the Love of
God by a finite human mind. The third verse has always been my favorite.
The love of God is greater far Than tongue or pen can ever tell; It goes beyond the highest star, And reaches to the lowest hell; The guilty pair, bowed down with care, God gave His Son to win; His erring child He reconciled, And pardoned from his sin.
Refrain: Oh, love of God, how rich and pure! How measureless and strong! It shall forevermore endure- The saints' and angels' song.
When hoary time shall pass away, And earthly thrones and kingdoms fall, When men who here refuse to pray, On rocks and hills and mountains call, God's love so sure, shall still endure, All measureless and strong; Redeeming grace to Adam's race- The saints' and angels' song.
Could we with ink the ocean fill, And were the skies of parchment made, Were every stalk on earth a quill, And every man a scribe by trade; To write the love of God above Would drain the ocean dry; Nor could the scroll contain the whole, Though stretched from sky to sky.
A YouTube Video of Mercy Me's performance (same group that won The Song of the Year with I Can only Imagine) is submitted in case you have not heard the song. They perform verses 1 and 3 (my favorite verse), but not verse 2.
This song was written (first two verses) by a supposedly insane mental
patient, and the third verse was found scribbled on the insane asylum
wall after Frederick Lehman died. I think of all the great compositions
in classical music that were also written by supposedly "insane" men,
and I realize that "insane" does not always mean "insane". Thank You,
God, for this masterpiece!
What's your favorite hymn? And how would you describe The Love of God?
APRIL LORIER - So. California. An
award-winning poet, inspirational author and speaker. She first gained
recognition as a children's rights crusader while successfully fighting
for the passage of the Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act (CANRA),
which was signed into law by Ronald Reagan..... Read her Whispers from God's Spirit and be encouraged in the Lord. Or read her Inspiration and Encouragement blog and be inspired!
APRIL LORIER - So. California. An award-winning poet, inspirational
author and speaker. A survivor of both child abuse and adult domestic
abuse, April inspires women to be all that God designed them to be! She
first gained recognition as a children's rights crusader while
successfully fighting for the passage of the Child Abuse and Neglect
Reporting Act (CANRA), which was signed into law by Ronald Reagan. Her
book God's Battered Child is available on her blogs and in online stores.
» left by Avis Ward(8,929) Avis Ward (74 days 1 hour ago.)
I'm browsing through the site and found this article, April. The title stopped me in my tracks, so to speak. I weep from His presence just about everytime I think about how much He loves me. . . us! If we only knew how much we would only desire to please Him and simply do it! You ask what's my favorite hymn? What a Friend We Have in Jesus. And how would I describe His love? "The love of God is greater far Than tongue or pen can ever tell." I'm simply unable to put it into words but the tears in my eyes and the palpitations of my heart are merely signs. I have an assurance that He knows how much I love Him. I try to love Him more and more by loving you and everyone else, no matter what! A beautiful article. Thank you.
» left by April Lorier(4,551) April Lorier (73 days 4 hours ago.)
Thank you, Avis, for your thoughtful comments. That 3rd verse always chokes me up. The beauty of the words chosen, the imagination of what we will never "see" until we stand before our precious Lord, and the message all go to make this a masterpiece. BTW, I'm so glad to finally be able to "SEE" Avis Ward! Love the photo! Respond to this comment
» left by Avis Ward(8,929) Avis Ward (73 days 4 hours ago.)
April, you're welcome. I have so much catching up to do at SearchWarp. I simply loved this article. I am not sure I let you know but I have your book on my site. It's featured in a carousel with other female authors called "For Beautiful Minds." I will use some of your articles too, if you allow me. I have been very 'productive'. The photo is part of it, I "had" to do it for GeoVi's Home. Pray you're well and I've missed you and everyone else. Pray for me, my friend!
» left by April Lorier(4,551) April Lorier (73 days 4 hours ago.)
Thanks, Avis. Sure, you can use any article you want. Just make sure there's a link to the source! "For Beautiful Minds", huh? Gosh, maybe I should read it again! ha! Respond to this comment
» left by Avis Ward(8,929) Avis Ward (73 days 3 hours ago.)
Most definitely, all links remain. Yes, from battered child to leader! I haven't read your book yet but I am sure you used the Word of God to take you from where you were to where you are. A beautiful mind emerges from the ugliness of evil when God transforms and restores!
» left by April Lorier from not signed in (72 days 20 hours ago.)
Avis, I had several publishers interested in my book as far back as 15 years ago, but they wanted me to "take all the Jesus stuff out of it". Can you imagine? Take The Great Physician out of my life story? Oh, puh-leeze! Respond to this comment
» left by Teresa Ortiz(4,364) Teresa Ortiz (72 days ago.)
Hi April, thank you for sharing this wonderful song. O how true it is!! Love ya! Teresa
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