LBW 324, “Oh, Love That Will Not Let Me Go”
Devotion
George Matheson’s life was one of anguish and pain. He had been engaged to be married until his fiancé learned that he was going blind and there was nothing the doctors could do. So she broke off the engagement, saying she could not go through life with a blind man.
Matheson did go blind while studying for the ministry, so his sister learned Greek and Hebrew to help him in his studies. He became pastor in a large Scottish church.
Then his sister married, leaving him to feel abandoned again. On the eve of her wedding he wrote these words – in just five minutes, he said. In it he recounts the Lord’s dedication to him, which strengthened and nourished his faith and hopefulness. And he reminded himself that no matter the circumstances, his Lord was nearby, ready to sustain and uphold him.
Prayer
“Oh love that will 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.” Amen.