” For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly ” (Romans 5:6).
I was sinking deep in sin, far from the peaceful shore,
Very deeply stained within, sinking to rise no more,
But the Master of the sea, heard my despairing cry,
From the waters lifted me, now safe am I.
Love lifted me!
Love lifted me!
When nothing else could help
Love lifted me!
All my heart to Him I give, ever to Him I’ll cling
In His blessèd presence live, ever His praises sing,
Love so mighty and so true, merits my soul’s best songs,
Faithful, loving service too, to Him belongs.
Love lifted me!
Love lifted me!
When nothing else could help
Love lifted me!
Souls in danger look above, Jesus completely saves,
He will lift you by His love, out of the angry waves.
He’s the Master of the sea, billows His will obey,
He your Savior wants to be, be saved today.
Love lifted me!
Love lifted me!
When nothing else could help
Love lifted me!
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Words: James Rowe, 1912. |
“When nothing else could help, love lifted me.” Each of us can sing the words to this beloved hymn. Some of us can sing the whole song through because we have trusted in God and allowed Him to lift us out from the pit of sin and into life everlasting (Romans 10:9-10). Others of us can only sing the first line–“I was sinking deep in sin far from the peaceful shore.” Oh, what a tragedy it is that you are living one more minute in that condition. You don’t have the promise of the next breath, let alone tomorrow. ” Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away ” (James 4:14). You must come to Him in faith believing. The writer of Hebrews in Hebrews 11:6 makes this truth very clear: ” But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for He that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him .” You must accept Him as Saviour or you will spend eternity in a devil’s hell. “And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire” (Revelation 20:15).
” I waited patiently for the LORD; and He inclined unto me, and heard my cry. He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. And He hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD ” (Psalm 40:1-3).
Romans 3:23 tells us that each of us enter into this world in the miry pit of sin. Our flesh cannot be satisfied, and when we yield to sin we live in a life filled with war and strife (James 4:1-3). We cannot get ourselves up out of the pit (Ephesians 2:8-9). The pit is too deep for our frail efforts. But, in love and mercy, God sent His son and ” the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, ” Titus 2:11. God loved you so much that He sent His only Son to die upon the cruel cross that you might go free (John 3:16).
” Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends ” (John 15:13). It wasn’t the nails that held Jesus to that cross; it was His love for us that held Him to that rugged cross (I John 4:19). His love caused Him to shed His blood “and without shedding of blood is no remission” (Hebrews 9:22). “For He hath made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him (II Corinthians 5:21). He loves you so much that He became the bridge between heaven and hell. And His forgiveness is so complete and so strong that it reaches down right where you are and lifts you from the miry pit of sin in which you reside. He lifts you up, cleans you up, lights your way (Psalm 119:105), establishes your goings and puts a new song in your heart. His love washes you clean and makes you a whole new person. “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new” (II Corinthians 5:17). “Brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall” (I Peter 1:10). You can then sing with me, “Love Lifted Me.”