Vast as the Ocean!

Here is love, vast as the ocean
Lovingkindness as the flood
When the Prince of Life our Ransom
Shed for us His precious blood
Who His love cannot remember
Who can cease to sing His praise
He can never be forgotten
Throughout heaven's eternal days

Well, this has always been one of my favorite hymns but the first line has taken on greater meaning these last couple of days. That's because I am making this post from Myrtle Beach, South Carolina on vacation. Where we are staying, I am able to see the ocean from our deck. So, this morning I started the day with God's Word and worship with the ocean in view. And, I couldnt help but sing this song!

As vast as the ocean is and how it can so easily swallow up the largest boat, the hymn writer reminds us that God's love is greater still! It is wider, higher and deeper than this massive body of water and it also exceeds in its power and strength. As powerful as these waters are...it is no comparison with God's love. God's love is so powerful that it was able to overcome the enemies of sin, death and hell. The Bible tells us that God's love is demonstrated to us 'in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us' (Rom. 5:8). Or as this song says, 'when the Prince of life, our Ransom, shed for us His precious blood. Or as the second verse puts it:

On the mount of crucifixion
Fountains flowing deep and wide
Through the floodgates of God's mercy
Flowed a vast and gracious tide
Grace and love like mighty rivers
Poured incessant from above
Heaven's peace and perfect justice
Kissed a guilty world in love!

Well, a couple more quick thoughts from Myrtle:

#1. I thank God for Pastor Ron Starcher. Again this morning he is preaching for me and it is such a privilege to have such a humble servant of God fill the pulpit. I do not believe that there is another pastor in our area who handles the Word as carefully and structures a sermon as efficiently as this man. It is a great blessing to have him as a part of our church and to hear from him as he opens God's Word!

#2. Anytime I am away from First Baptist, I feel something is missing. In fact, it isnt something but someone - the body of Christ "locally" that God has called me to and has allowed me to be a part of. The Bible describes every local church as a "body" and that some of us are "eyes" or "hands". So, it only makes sense that while I am away...it feels like a part of me is missing. Everytime I feel this void, I stop and thank God for it...cause it reminds me of the unique situation that I have with the church that God has called me to. Not every pastor has this "love" relationship with his congregation and I do not take it for granted!

So, to quote Paul from Philippians 4:1
"Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and my crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved."