The Incomprehensible Love of God: More Than Words Can Express

The Love of God: More Than Can Be Told

Have you ever tried to describe the love of God? It's like trying to count the grains of sand on a beach or the drops of water in the ocean. It's an impossible task. The love of God is so vast, so deep, that our words cannot do it justice. But that doesn't mean we shouldn't try.

In Psalm 40:5, the psalmist writes, "You have multiplied, O Lord my God, your wondrous deeds and your thoughts toward us; none can compare with you! I will proclaim and tell of them, yet they are more than can be told." The psalmist recognizes that God's love is beyond comprehension. It is more than can be expressed in words.

Frederick Lehman, a hymn writer from the early 20th century, understood this truth as well. In one of his most famous hymns, "The Love of God," he wrote, "Could we with ink the ocean fill, and were the skies of parchment made; Were every tree on earth a quill, and every man a scribe by trade; To write the love of God above Would drain the ocean dry, Nor could the scroll contain the whole, Though stretched from sky to sky."

Lehman's words were inspired by a poem found on the walls of an insane asylum. The author of the poem remains unknown, but the words spoke deeply to Lehman. They reminded him that no matter how much we try to express God's love, it will always be more than can be told.

As I reflect on these words, I am struck by the imagery they evoke. The vastness of the ocean, the expanse of the sky, the multitude of trees on earth – these are all incredible in their own right. And yet, they pale in comparison to the love of God. His love is greater than all of creation combined.

But why? Why is God's love so great? The answer can be found in the Bible, where we see countless examples of God's love for his people. In Micah 7:19, we read, "You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea." This verse reminds us that God's love is forgiving. He takes our sins, our mistakes, and buries them beneath the sea. He removes them from us completely, never to be remembered again.

In Psalm 104:24-25, the psalmist writes, "O Lord, how manifold are your works! In wisdom have you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures. Here is the sea, great and wide, which teems with creatures innumerable, living things both small and great." This passage reminds us that God's love is creative. He made all of creation, from the smallest insect to the largest whale. And yet, his love for us, his crowning creation, is even greater.

As we consider these verses, we begin to see glimpses of the immense love of God. We see his forgiveness, his creativity, his care for every detail of creation. But still, these glimpses are just that – glimpses. They are like drops of water in the ocean, hints of something greater that we cannot fully comprehend.

So how do we respond to this overwhelming love? How do we express our gratitude for something that is beyond words? The answer lies in the psalmist's words in Psalm 139:17-18: "How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! If I would count them, they are more than the sand."

We respond by acknowledging the greatness of God's love. We recognize that it is more than we can ever fully understand. And we respond with gratitude and praise. We proclaim and tell of his wondrous deeds, knowing that our words will always fall short.

In conclusion, the love of God is a mystery. It is more than can be expressed in words, more than can be comprehended by our finite minds. And yet, it is a love that we can experience and know deep in our hearts. It is a love that forgives, creates, and cares for every detail of our lives. It is a love that is greater than all of creation combined. So let us respond with gratitude and praise, knowing that even our best efforts to express God's love will always fall short.