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  ON THE MEDITERRANEAN SEA IN THE BAY OF CARMEL
  by Robert Murray M'Cheyne
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Summary: The sermon highlights God's unchanging and unwavering love for
His people, despite their failures and shortcomings.

Topics: "God's Unchanging Love", "Grace and Assurance"
Scripture References: Isaiah 54:10, Romans 8:38

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DESCRIPTION
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Robert Murray M'Cheyne reflects on the unchanging and ceaseless love of
God, comparing it to the Mediterranean Sea's constant waves that shape
the shore. He emphasizes that, like the sea, God's love is ever-present
and unwavering, even when we feel distant or dry in our spiritual lives.
M'Cheyne draws parallels between the historical desolation of Israel and
God's enduring grace towards His people, reminding us that despite our
struggles, His love remains steadfast. The sermon highlights the beauty
of God's grace that fills our hearts with peace, even in times of
barrenness. Ultimately, it reassures believers of God's unbreakable
promises and His love for His chosen ones.

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CONTENT
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LORD, this swelling, tideless sea,

Is like Thy love in Christ to me;

The ceaseless waves that fill the bay

Through flinty rocks have worn their way,

And Thy unceasing love alone

Hath broken though this heart of stone.

The countless smile that gilds the deep

When sunbeams on the water sleep,

Is like Thy countless smile of grace

When I am seen in Jesus' face.

No ebbing tide these waters know,

Pure, placid, constant in their flow -

No ebb Thy love to me hath known

Since first it chose me for Thine own.

Or, if perchance, at Thy command,

The wave retiring leaves the sand,

One moment all is dry, and then

It turns to fill the shore again:

So I have found Thy wondrous grace

Forsake my soul a little space;

Barren and cold, deserted, dry,

A helpless worm to Thee I cry;

Thy face is hid a little while,

But with the morning comes Thy smile -

Jesus once more His beauty shows,

And all my heart with peace o'erflows.

These deep blue waters lave the shore

Of Israel, as in days of yore!

Though Zion like a field is ploughed,

And Salem's covered with a cloud -

Though briers and thorns are tangled o'er

Where vine and olive twined before -

Though turbaned Moslems tread the gate,

And Judah sits most desolate -

Their nets o'er Tyre the fishers spread,

And Carmel's top is withered -

Yet still these waters clasp the shore

As kindly as they did before!

Such is Thy love to Judah's race,

A deep unchanging tide of grace.

Though scattered now at Thy command

They pine away in every land,

With trembling heart and failing eyes -

And deep the veil on Israel lies -

Yet still Thy word Thou canst not break,

"Beloved for their fathers' sake."

18th July 1839, near Acre.

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Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/robert-murray-m'cheyne/on-the-mediterranean-sea-in-the-bay-of-carmel/
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