There’s a Wideness in God’s Mercy (Evangelical Lutheran Worship 588)
1 There’s a wideness in God’s mercy, Like the wideness of the sea;
There’s a kindness in his justice Which is more than liberty
There is no place where earth’s sorrows Are more felt than up in heav’n.
There is no place where earth’s failings Have kindly judgment giv’n.
2 There is a welcome for the sinner, And a promised grace made good;
There is a mercy with the Savior; There is healing in his blood.
There is grace enough for thousands Of new worlds as great as this;
There is room for fresh creations In that upper home of bliss.
3 For the love of God is broader Than the measures of our mind;
And the heart of the eternal Is most wonderfully kind.
There is plentiful redemption In the blood that has been shed;
There is joy for all the members In the sorrows of the head.
4 ‘Tis not all we owe to Jesus; It is something more than all:
Greater good because of evil, Larger mercy through the fall.
If our love were but more simple, We should take him at his word;
And our lives would be all sunshine In the sweetness of the Lord.
Text: Frederick W. Faber; Music: North American; Public Domain
Devotion
One phrase in this hymn especially stands out for me: “For the love of God is broader than the measure of our mind.” (vs. 3) Psalm 130:4 reads, “But there is forgiveness with you, so that you may be revered [NRSVue; “feared” in some older translations].” God’s forgiveness is unexpected, even mind blowing, and often we do not know what to make of it or are left awestruck. We can find ourselves in times and places when and where forgiveness is not respected, much less worthy of awe—where vengeance is lifted up and honored and forgiveness is seen as weak and not worthy of awe. The readings for this week have reminded us again and again of God’s forgiveness and faithfulness in the face of human weaknesses, failures, and sin. What distinguishes God—what makes our God holy, set apart, is God’s forgiveness, not God’s vengeance.
Prayer
Gracious God, remind us again and again of your awe-inspiring faithfulness, forgiveness, and love. Set us free from bondage to judgment and vengeance that we might know the transforming power of your love. Amen.