HE
GIVES MORE GRACE
As I sit here at my computer wondering what the Lord
wants to say to you out there this day.
Many of you are going through sickness in your body and you wonder when
this trial will ever end. I know of
several who are suffering with cancer right now, and some are just waiting to
go “home.”
I talked with a lady this past week and she has gone over
the time they predicted she would die from her ailments. I told her that maybe I would see her next
week. She said, “Oh, no as I won’t be
here next week. I am going “home” to
heaven and she pointed up. I told her
that someday we would meet again around the Throne! Then there will be no sickness, tears, or
sorrow and no more death, live eternally with our Lord Jesus Christ.
As I was looking at songs and their stories that would
bless you in these times, I found the song “He
Giveth More Grace.” As we watch a dear loved one go through multiple
procedures to halt the cancer in his body, and take prayer requests of others
who are in great pain, I am reminded of His grace in these times when it seems
like there are no earthly answers to our pain, we learn that “He giveth more
grace when the burden grows greater.”
HE GIVETH MORE GRACE
“Annie Flint, the author of this hymn, understood
something of God’s grace. Her mother
died in childbirth, and her father died shortly afterwards from an incurable
disease. Before his death, Annie’s
father left her and her baby sister with a childless Christian couple, the
Flints, who adopted them.
Annie wanted to become a teacher, but in her second year
of teaching, she began experiencing the symptoms of arthritis. The disease grew worse until she could hardly
walk. Then the death of both adoptive
parents left Annie and her sister alone again.
Annie went to a sanatorium, but the doctors said there was nothing they
could do for her.
She began writing from experience. Her fingers were bent, her joints were
swollen, and often she could only write a few lines at a time. But she continued writing, praying that
others might be helped through her experience.
Her poems were published in magazines across the country. Sometimes the publisher would mention Annie’s
physical condition, and readers would donate funds to help her.
Annie learned what the apostle Paul had learned when God
told him, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in
weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9, NIV).
He giveth more
grace when the burden grows greater; He sendeth more strength when the labors
increase. To added affliction He addeth
His mercy; To multiplied trials, His multiplied peace.
His love has no limit; His grace has no
measure; His pow’r has no boundary known unto men. For out of His infinite riches in Jesus, He
giveth, and giveth, and giveth again!
When we have
exhausted our store of endurance, when our strength has failed ere the day is
half done, when we reach the end of our hoarded resources, our Father’s full
giving is only begun.” (Annie Flint, 1866-1932).
Many of us can relate to this song and Annie’s
experience. Oh, we may not suffer as she
did, but we do have our various trials, and they are just as big to us in our
lives. And sometimes the burden is
simply unbearable, but He promises:
“Come unto Me, all
you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from Me, for
I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light”
Matthew 11:28-30.
My heart goes out to so many people whose burden of grief
is great today. I know of three deaths
recently, two of those were beloved Pastors.
The one we learned of today was a shock to everyone who knew him. He had been ill, but was again in His pulpit
preaching, but God called Him Home. I
think of the loved ones, his small congregation, his wife and children and so
on. But God promises His mercy, and His
multiplied peace! Praise the Lord!
And I, myself, have experienced the loss of my endurance
when the day is only half over. There
are days when I don’t feel like I can accomplish the next task before me. I have no more resources left in me, and I am
sure there are many out there who experience those moments. We have no more resources to give, and then
we realize our Father’s resources never give out, and He gives and He gives and
He gives. We can reach out and receive
His strength for the moment and beyond.
Aren’t we glad we serve such a Wonderful Lord who never tires or runs
out of His love for His children?
Yes, He gives more grace no matter what the trial, the
pain, the sorrow or whatever the situation may be. And to those who have recently faced surgery
and may be in pain at this moment, He is there with His Wonderful grace and His
mercy. His arms reach out to you, just
let Him take you in His gentle arms, and He will give you rest, in Jesus’ Name!
“Father, I know of so many today who suffer
with cancer, who have lost loved ones, and those who are just waiting for Jesus
to call them “Home.” There, Lord, they will be free from pain at last! And we, left here, cannot even comprehend the
joys you have prepared for these loved ones.
I think of the two pastors, and the crown they have won for their
faithful service to You. So, Father,
comfort the families today, bring strength to those who remain and Your peace,
which you give and give and give. And we
thank You, Father, that Your resources are unlimited. And we give you great praise this day.”
In the Name of Jesus,
Pastor Sharon
