O LOVE, THAT WILL NOT LET ME GO
12th Aug 2020
Parents of young children seem to instinctively know what their child needs when they are in distress - for some it is to be held, for others comforting words, still others a strong assurance that things will be OK, or the possible reminder of a promise which will be kept. Every situation requires understanding and comfort.
We are God’s children and are designed to need His love, presence, comfort and kindness - words that give hope, and so much more. All this is freely available, but so often as adults we do not access this love, and spend much time trying to find all sorts of ways to deal with it alone.
I talked recently with a lady dealing with a painful, non-explained severing of relationship with her daughter and consequently her grandchildren. She described the tormenting pain and mental gymnastics she was faced with moment by moment, and said only Jesus knows the pain and only His love can ease it, and it does.
Others dealing with bereavement and loss have told me how Jesus’ love and presence has comforted them and taken away the sense of isolation. We hear daily on our news and through personal contacts, tales of sadness, loss, grief and injustice. Praying into these needs I have found myself singing an old hymn, written by George Matheson in 1842.
“O Love that will not let me go, I rest my weary soul on Thee,
…And feel the promise is not vain that morn shall tearless be.”
Written many years ago by a man whose fiancé broke off their engagement when she discovered the inevitability that he would soon be blind. Despite the handicap George studied at university and entered the pastoral ministry in Edinburgh leading a very large church. His mainstay and helper was his sister. The hymn was written on the day she married and he faced life on his own without her caring support.
He knew how to turn to the only One who can comfort, heal, restore, give hope and practical wisdom. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 written by Paul who himself knew what it was to suffer, says, “All praise to the God and Father of our Master, Jesus the Messiah! Father of all mercy! God of all healing counsel! He comes alongside us when we go through hard times, and before you know it, he brings us alongside someone else who is going through hard times so that we can be there for that person just as God was there for us.” (The Message)
Today, go to the Father and receive His love, comfort and help - don’t run away.
by Joyce Sibthorpe
