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)
This past Sunday, during the traditional worship service from the St. Luke’s Downtown campus, we were treated to a beautiful version of the hymn “Love Lifted Me.” As the choir began to sing, I found myself singing along. My mind was taken back to the churches of my childhood and youth. I could hear the voices of my childhood singing the beautiful words. Although I was hosting the worship service in my office at home (as I am writing this devotional, my family and I are working to overcome COVID-19), I felt like my voice was joining with so many as we sang the familiar refrains.
“Love Lifted Me” was first written and published in 1912. It was written by James Rowe, an Irish immigrant. James knew a life of hard work, but he also knew 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 around the world. Most notably, it was found in the Cokesbury Hymnal, a hymnal that is used by many Methodists and was first published in 1923.
This hymn is based on a beautiful story found in the gospel of 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 so much bigger than the difficulties we face. James Rowe knew hardship, but he also knew the “mighty” love of God. 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, know 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
