Have you ever wondered about the stories behind the hymns we've sung for generations? Today, we uncover the fascinating and unlikely origin of "Oh How I Love Jesus," a beloved hymn with a surprisingly divided history.
What many don't realize is that Whitefield originally wrote nine verses, though most hymnals only include four. The five forgotten verses contain some of the most beautiful imagery in the hymn, speaking of God's guidance through darksome paths, His comfort in our deepest sorrows, and the promise of joining "the blood-bought throng" in heaven. These lost lyrics enrich our understanding of the hymn's message - that our love for Jesus flows naturally from His prior love for us, as 1 John 4:19 reminds us: "We love him because he first loved us."
As we begin our week, let this powerful truth settle into your heart: God loved you before you ever thought about Him, before you deserved it, before you were right with Him. His love never ends and never fades. Listen to Carrie Underwood's beautiful rendition of this hymn (link in show notes), and carry this message with you today.
Here is the youtube link to today's song.
https://youtu.be/u8fKX3xZaMM