I was reading a missionary story to my children the other day – Evidence Not Seen – about a lady who spent World War II in a Japanese POW camp. After describing a scene of suffering she tells how her heart was reminded of the words of this hymn and the peace it gave her.

I love this song and knew I wanted to bring it to the attention of those who read this blog. There is very little known about the author beyond the fact that he died at the young age of 39 and wrote this hymn one year before he died.

Reading the peace and assurance he had of God’s love makes me wonder if he had a debilitating disease that forced him rest in God’s love. This entire song is a beautiful tribute to the love God has for His own.

The first verse shows us the beginning of God’s love – His grace that makes His love possible, the peace that this knowledge gives us.

In the second verse we are shown a deepening love. Life is richer and more beautiful because of the knowledge that God loves us.

The third verse speaks of the peace we can have even in desperate circumstances. “Wild alarms” cannot distress us when we know God’s everlasting love for us.

Verse four reminds us that God’s is an eternal love. There is “bliss” in knowing that nothing can separate us from the love of God – forever His.

Loved with everlasting love,
Led by grace that love to know;
Gracious Spirit from above,
Thou hast taught me it is so!
O this full and perfect peace!
O this transport all divine!
In a love which cannot cease,
I am His, and He is mine.
In a love which cannot cease,
I am His, and He is mine.

Heav’n above is softer blue,
Earth around is sweeter green!
Something lives in every hue
Christless eyes have never seen;
Birds with gladder songs o’erflow,
Flowers with deeper beauties shine,
Since I know, as now I know,
I am His, and He is mine.
Since I know, as now I know,
I am His, and He is mine.

Things that once were wild alarms
Cannot now disturb my rest;
Closed in everlasting arms,
Pillowed on the loving breast.
O to lie forever here,
Doubt and care and self resign,
While He whispers in my ear,
I am His, and He is mine.
While He whispers in my ear,
I am His, and He is mine.

His forever, only His;
Who the Lord and me shall part?
Ah, with what a rest of bliss
Christ can fill the loving heart!
Heav’n and earth may fade and flee,
Firstborn light in gloom decline;
But while God and I shall be,
I am His, and He is mine.
But while God and I shall be,
I am His, and He is mine.

~George W. Robinson