“Beloved, think it not strange

ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.” 1Peter 4:12-13

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Author: Thomas Kelly Tune: Doxology

1. The Lord of glory, moved by love,

Descends, in mercy, from above;

And He, before whom angels bow,

Is found a man of grief below.

2. Such love is great, too great for thought,

Its length and breadth in vain are sought;

No tongue can tell its depth and height;

The love of Christ is infinite.

3. But though His love no measure knows,

The Savior to His people shows

Enough to give them joy, when known,

Enough to make their hearts His own.

4. Constrained by this, they walk with Him,

His love their most delightful theme;

To glorify Him here, their aim,

Their hope, in Heaven to praise His name.

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I must confess that, at least for the present moment, I feel that if Christ is unable or unwilling to save to the uttermost the most wretched and sinful of humanity, then I am lost and without hope. At all times I am aware of the doctrine of my sin, but at some times the truth of it bears upon me with such force that I go down to the depths as did Jonah and cry out, "Salvation is of the Lord," for if it is not, I am surely without any hope of salvation from any other quarter.

Youth and its strength are past. In days gone by I had always hoped that there would be some proof of grace, some evidence of the work of God in me in the form of sins conquered and godliness achieved. But at 61 years old I must confess that not one sin has been overcome and all the evil that ever raged in me rages still. I am as helpless against my inborn nature as ever.

A life of pursuing "the ministry" has not provided for me a place of soul rest but, in this matter of my eternal soul, it is nothing more than "a bed too short to stretch out on and a blanket to narrow to wrap up in." That I am called a minister of the gospel does not bring me comfort about my heart's condition, but serves only to accent the wickedness of my nature and add strength to my sense of righteous condemnation.

O, blessed Jesus, come fulfill your name in me! for it is written, "You shall call His name 'Jesus' for He shall save His people from their sins." Mark me as among your people and save me for your name's sake!

What a precious name I have to lean upon and in which to find a refuge for my guilty soul. Yes, in Him there is righteousness greater than my wickedness, saving determination in excess of my stubbornness, grace abounding over my abundant sin.

O, Sin, defeat me you will, and often, but never shall you defeat my Savior! O, Satan, you Accuser of the Brethren, pile your accusations as high as you can, I will own them all yet I will see that it is you and not me who is cast out, for you have been overcome by the blood of the Lamb!

What worthlessness in me; what worthiness in Him! What weakness in me; what power in Him! What failure in me; what success in Him. I am poor and needy, but He is rich and generous.

Blessed be the name of Jesus both now and evermore!

--Joe Terrell

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