God is Love by S. Elmer

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Sep 1, 1859

"God is Love."

By S. Elmer

So said a beloved disciple, and so has my soul been made to respond of late. I had been sorely tried by the enemy, and the trial was so peculiar that I thought, How shall I be delivered? But I knew that the Lord had often delivered me, and still I committed the case into his hands by prayer, and sooner than I was aware I received strength to wait upon him; and on the day following I had an uncommon sense of the love of God, and how we should love one another. As I repeated these words "God is love," I felt that if I could be heard I would sound it forth even to the ends of the earth. God is love! Yes, and I can witness to his long-suffering to me, unworthy as I am. At times I have been so overwhelmed with sorrow that like David I have cried, "the proud waters have gone over my soul." "I sink in deep mire when there is no standing." But I have often found that the Lord was a present help in time of trouble, and that it is much better to look up than to keep our eyes on the roaring billows as they dash around us.

O for a heart to bless his name, A heart to sing his praise, And all his goodness to proclaim Throughout my remnant days.

A heart that's free from self and pride, And each corroding care; Doth ever in the truth abide, And watches unto prayer.

A heart that's washed in Jesus' blood, And trusting every hour Upon the promises of God, Nor fears the tempter's power. S. ELMER.