Vast

This week we get to hear from Erica Botha! Take a moment and learn more about her on the contributors page.

When standing by the ocean during a recent beach trip with my husband, the term vast came to mind as the only word to describe the magnitude of the ocean.  We talked about how much power the ocean has and that God miraculously spoke it into existence.  God’s power is so far beyond that of the ocean.  

Staring out at the ocean it is impossible to see the land on the other side.  It appears to have no end, and it doesn’t take long to walk out into the water and discover that your feet cannot touch the bottom.  It is impossible to comprehend how wide and deep the God’s love for us is, and the ocean is such a small illustration of that. And yet, when we look at the ocean, the word vast comes to mind.  The term vast is defined through a Google search as “of very great extent or quantity; immense.”  During this trip, the hymn, “How Deep the Father’s Love for Us” came to mind.  

How Deep the Father’s Love for Us

Written by Stuart Townsend

How deep the Father’s Love for us,

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 Chose 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 accomplished;

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 and resurrection.

Why should I gain from His reward?

I cannot give an answer;

But I know with all my heart –

His wounds have paid my ransom.

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life, John 3:16.  God sent his Son to pay my ransom and yours, too.  God’s love for us goes beyond the width and depths of the ocean.  His love far exceeds any earthly thing we can compare it to.  How humbling and encouraging it is to be reminded that we are loved beyond anything that can be measured!