Love so mighty and so true
It merits my soul’s best songs
Faithful, loving service, too
To Him belongs
(Love Lifted Me, James Rowe)
“Love Lifted Me” was first written and published in 1912. It was written by James Rowe, an Irish immigrant to the United States. James knew a life of hard work but also a life of faith. His faith taught him that God was love and that God loved His children. It did not take long for “Love Lifted Me” to become a favorite among Methodists worldwide. Most notably, it was found in the Cokesbury Hymnal, a hymnal that was used by many Methodists and was first published in 1923.
This hymn is based on a beautiful story found in the gospel of Matthew. (Matthew 8:23-27) Jesus and his disciples are on a boat when suddenly, a terrible storm threatens them. The disciples beg Jesus to save them. Matthew records that Jesus “arose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm.”
What God does for us is much bigger than our difficulties. James Rowe knew hardship, but he also knew God’s “mighty” love. In his life, he witnessed struggles in Ireland and the United States, but he also realized that God’s great love was bigger than our world; after all, God created this world, and “Even the winds and the sea obey Him.”
Today, I give thanks to God for His great love. In our most difficult moments, God offers us peace and refuge as we come to Him. When we realize this great love, given so freely by God, we begin to understand that our response is to share that love with the world. “Love so mighty and so true It merits my soul’s best songs faithful, loving service, too to Him belongs.”
Rev. Keith King, Pastor of Worship
