O Love That Wilt Not Let Me Go

A Devotional Based on "O Love That Wilt Not Let Me Go" by Lindsay I. Terry

Scripture: Romans 8:26-39

Nay, in all these these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

The story behind this hymn is remarkably similar to that behind the hymn, "No One Ever Cared for Me Like Jesus." Both were born out of dark sorrow. Dr. George Matheson was another of the great preachers produced by Scotland. He was born there in 1842. While still in his teens, he entered the University of Glasgow. He was stricken with total blindness shortly after his entrance into school. But not even the loss of eyesight could stop George Matheson. Before his death, Mr. Matheson recorded his own account of the writing of his masterpiece hymn. The hymn was composed in the manse of Innellan on the evening of June 6, 1882. He was alone and it was the day of his sister's marriage, and the rest of the family were staying overnight in Glasgow. Some event, known only to him, caused him the most severe mental suffering. It has been suggested that he was in love with a young lady and was jilted. This may have been the reason for his extreme distress. The hymn was a fruit of that suffering. He reported that the hymn was the quickest bit of work he ever did in his life. It seemed to be dictated to him by some inward voice. The whole work was completed in five minutes and it never received any retouching or correction:

                                       

                                          O love that wilt not let me go,

                                          I rest my weary soul in Thee,

                                          I give Thee back the life I owe,

                                          That in Thine ocean depths its flow

                                          May richer, fuller be.

Terry's thoughts: It is only the tremendous love that God has for us that causes Him to draw a curtain over our future so that we cannot see what lies ahead. Therefore, we must cling to Him for daily strength and daily guidance. Truly this makes our lives richer and fuller.

Candy's thoughts:  If only I could remember this as trials pile up and my feelings go down!

My favorite version of this hymn