O the deep, deep love of Jesus, vast, unmeasured, boundless, free!
Rolling as a mighty ocean in its fullness over me!
And the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant, with faith and love which are in Christ Jesus (I Tim. 1:14).
Letting the Deep, Deep Love of Jesus Wash Over You
Paul, like the author of this hymn, is amazed at the deep, deep love of Jesus. Once a persecutor of the church, now an Apostle of the church. Once an enemy of God, now a messenger for God. Once ignorant, angry, and cruel; now loving, kind, and faithful. Once a profane man, now a believing man. Paul, transformed by the love of Jesus, proclaims the grace he has found in Jesus. Paul understood he was a sinner. He repented. God forgave. What he once knew no longer mattered; Jesus is all that matters now. His life forever changed. The grace of God, exceedingly abundant, extended to Paul, a man whose heart and life have been renewed by the forgiveness of God. Paul has come to know the grace of God through His Word, repentance, testimony, and prayer. The grace of God, pouring over Paul as mighty ocean waves, swelling and advancing without end.
As the waves wash over the shoreline, so does the grace of God wash over us when we recognize our sins and repent. Once we’ve met Jesus, He is all that matters. Not what we were before, but who we are now. Jesus’ love is undeserved and abundant; His favor is unwarranted and benevolent; His salvation is unmerited and free. When we know the grace of God, faith and love abound. Faith gives us hope in a hopeless world. The bitterness, anger, and hatred we once knew are crushed under the love of God. We have met Jesus. He has imparted His grace into our souls, evidenced by our love that freely flows from within us into the lives of those around us.
Do you see yourself as God sees you or do you define yourself by your past sins? His grace is abundant, His love for you is without measure. Let His deep, deep love wash over you. Let His grace shield you from the troubles that would try to pull you under this day. The Lord’s grace for you is exceedingly abundant. Today is your day to allow the love that is in Christ to spring forth in you. Immerse yourself—your mind, your heart, your soul—in His love. Though everything may be clamoring for your attention, your time, your heart, why not ask the Lord to send His safety net—His love—to your heart? Be on the lookout for evidence of this truth in your life: “O the deep, deep love of Jesus, vast, unmeasured, boundless, free! Rolling as a mighty ocean in its fullness over me!”
Bathing in the Love of Jesus
Every time I go to the ocean, I stand at the shoreline, allowing the waves to wash over my feet and sing the song, “Have You Seen Jesus My Lord?” My heart fills with awe and wonder at how vast my Lord is. I marvel at the ocean and can only wonder at all it contains.
Your Turn: A visit to the ocean would be amazing, though probably unlikely. Instead, take a bubble bath and allow the love of God to wash over you. You can make your own bubble bath, though it won’t be as luxurious as store bought. Combine 1/2 cup liquid soap, 1 tablespoon honey, a few drops of essential oil, and 1 egg in a small bowl. Pour under running water. Turn the lights off, light a candle, and listen to “The Deep, Deep Love of Jesus” with your eyes closed. Let the love of God wash over you as you converse with Jesus—praying and listening to Him, allowing His love to reach deep into your being.