How Deep the Father's Love for Us is my all time favorite hymn. It's something I catch myself humming or turn on in the car to sing along to.
How vast beyond all measure
That He should give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure
How great the pain of searing loss,
The Father turns His face away
As wounds which mar the chosen One,
Bring many sons to glory
Behold the Man upon a cross,
My sin upon his shoulders
Ashamed I hear my mocking voice,
Call out among the scoffers
It was my sin that held Him there
Until it was accomplish
His dying breath has brought me life
I know that it is finished
I will not boast in anything
No gifts, no power, no wisdom
But I will boast in Jesus Christ
His death an resurrection
Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart
His wounds have paid my ransom
There are a lot of times when I don't feel loved, or lovable. When I feel like a complete waste of space, and inadequate for anything life throws my way. When I feel like I'm the only person in the world who hurts. When I feel as though I'm completely alone. When I feel like a complete scumbag sinner who doesn't deserve the kindness of others. This is the hymn that encourages me and reminds me of just how much I am loved by our Father. Loved so much that He sent His only Son to die a horrible and painful death to wash away my sins.
Ever stopped and thought about all the sins and wrong doings that have your name written on them? I do sometimes, it makes me feel like I'm looking at my own Dorian Gray portrait. The ugliness is rather overwhelming. And I think about all those things being pinned to Jesus and them being the reasons that He was nailed to a cross. Makes me sorry for every single one and beg for God's forgiveness. He gives it every time because Jesus paid the price for them. He ransomed me from death.
How deep a Father's love! How much He loves me! This hymn just reminds me of why I believe what I believe, why I am here. It reminds me that I'm never alone, that I am never unloved, and I no longer have the heavy burden of my sins weighing on my shoulders.
Why should I gain from His reward? I cannot give an answer. But this I know with all my heart: His wounds have paid my ransom.
