Stories Behind Popular Hymns: Gaither Homecomingনমুনা

Oh, the Deep, Deep Love of Jesus

The Christian faith is filled with, what seem to be in the human mind, paradoxes. In order to live, we must die (Luke 9:24). When we are weak, then we are strong (2 Cor. 12:10). In order to be first, we must be last (Matt. 20:16). And sometimes, in our darkest moments, the love of God shines the brightest in our souls.

Samuel Trevor Francis experienced such a time in his young adulthood. He grew up in a home that laid for him a strong foundation of faith—he even sang in the church choir—but as soon as he struck out on his own, doubts began to seep in. He got a job in London and began working, all the while wrestling with nagging doubt and the pull for him to return to His first love. He wrote about his turning point:

“I was on my way home from work and had to cross Hungerford Bridge to the south of the Thames.

During the winter’s night of wind and rain and in the loneliness of that walk, I cried to God to have mercy on me. I stayed for a moment to look at the dark waters flowing under the bridge, and the temptation was whispered to me: ‘Make an end of all this misery.’ I drew back from the evil thought, and suddenly a message was borne into my very soul: ‘You do believe in the Lord Jesus Christ?’ I at once answered, ‘I do believe,’ and I put my whole trust in Him as my Savior.”

How incredible that just when Satan seemed to be screaming the loudest, the still, small voice of the Lord, in His deep, deep love, ultimately prevailed!

But that wasn’t the end of his story; it was only the beginning. Samuel Francis cultivated a deep, deep

love for the Savior, joining a local body of believers, preaching the gospel at revivals, and leading worship. He later went on to write this powerful hymn, and he continued to fight the good fight, finishing well the race set before him—after ninety-two years!