It’s a wonder how quickly we can go from strength to weakness and dependence. It’s humbling. We walk in our pride and dignity every day, but it’s an empty vapor.”
–Dan Arnold (Bear Creek)
“But the free gift is not like the offense. For if by the one man’s offense many died, much more the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abounded to many.”
–Romans 5:15 (NKJV)
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Remember, yesterday I wrote that there were two songs that had been going through my mind. Today, as I plan to send you into the weekend with a song in your heart, if not on your lips and mind, is the second one. I really don’t know how I know the song. I looked through both of the hymnbooks that our church used when I was a kid and it is not in either of them. The song rings forth with some glorious truths. Contemplate them as you read.
“He giveth more grace as our burdens grow greater,
He sendeth more strength as our labors increase;
To added afflictions He addeth His mercy,
To multiplied trials He multiplies peace.”
The song was written by Annie Johnson Flint (1866-1932). She was orphaned at age six and was raised by the Flints. After going to school she became a teacher but was diagnosed with severe arthritis and within five years was unable to help herself and confined to a wheelchair. If anyone was afflicted it was her and I can imagine her writing this hymn for herself.
“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.”
The Father has said in Jeremiah 31:3 that He has loved us with an everlasting love. It is important that we get that etched deep into our hearts and minds, for there may come a time when the burden gets too heavy to carry. There may be a time when we don’t “feel” the love of the Father. There are times in our lives when we are exhausted, perhaps to physical exertion and it has pushed us to our limit. Perhaps it is emotional and mental exhaustion caused by stress, work, family, finances, or other events. Then, hear me, then realize the truth of the words of James, “But He gives more grace….” (James 4:6) How much more? As much as is needed.
“Fear not that thy need shall exceed His provision,
Our God ever yearns His resources to share;
Lean hard on the arm everlasting, availing;
The Father both thee and thy load will upbear.”
The Lord will uphold you in the midst of your trials no matter what they are. He is dependable; He is faithful. When you are exhausted, He is not even moved toward tiredness. When you cannot take another step, reach out and feel His arm holding you up. He is our heavenly Father, and He is there to help, to lend a hand, to carry if needed. Paul writes, “And He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness…” (2 Corinthians 12:9) He will multiply His grace to us as we need it.
“His love has no limits, His grace has no measure,
His power no boundary known unto men;
For out of His infinite riches in Jesus
He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again.”
WOW! More and more I realize that I need God’s grace. A day cannot go by when I don’t realize that it is only the grace of God that gets me through. Heaven is waiting, but it is only through His grace and think of it–He continues to give and give and give–there is no measure to the end of His grace. So do not be overwhelmed by your difficulty, or by the terror that you see in the world. God’s grace is able to keep you; God’s grace will keep you.
———————————-
Remember, yesterday I wrote that there were two songs that had been going through my mind. Today, as I plan to send you into the weekend with a song in your heart, if not on your lips and mind, is the second one. I really don’t know how I know the song. I looked through both of the hymnbooks that our church used when I was a kid and it is not in either of them. The song rings forth with some glorious truths. Contemplate them as you read.
“He giveth more grace as our burdens grow greater,
He sendeth more strength as our labors increase;
To added afflictions He addeth His mercy,
To multiplied trials He multiplies peace.”
The song was written by Annie Johnson Flint (1866-1932). She was orphaned at age six and was raised by the Flints. After going to school she became a teacher but was diagnosed with severe arthritis and within five years was unable to help herself and confined to a wheelchair. If anyone was afflicted it was her and I can imagine her writing this hymn for herself.
“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.”
The Father has said in Jeremiah 31:3 that He has loved us with an everlasting love. It is important that we get that etched deep into our hearts and minds, for there may come a time when the burden gets too heavy to carry. There may be a time when we don’t “feel” the love of the Father. There are times in our lives when we are exhausted, perhaps to physical exertion and it has pushed us to our limit. Perhaps it is emotional and mental exhaustion caused by stress, work, family, finances, or other events. Then, hear me, then realize the truth of the words of James, “But He gives more grace….” (James 4:6) How much more? As much as is needed.
“Fear not that thy need shall exceed His provision,
Our God ever yearns His resources to share;
Lean hard on the arm everlasting, availing;
The Father both thee and thy load will upbear.”
The Lord will uphold you in the midst of your trials no matter what they are. He is dependable; He is faithful. When you are exhausted, He is not even moved toward tiredness. When you cannot take another step, reach out and feel His arm holding you up. He is our heavenly Father, and He is there to help, to lend a hand, to carry if needed. Paul writes, “And He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness…” (2 Corinthians 12:9) He will multiply His grace to us as we need it.
“His love has no limits, His grace has no measure,
His power no boundary known unto men;
For out of His infinite riches in Jesus
He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again.”
WOW! More and more I realize that I need God’s grace. A day cannot go by when I don’t realize that it is only the grace of God that gets me through. Heaven is waiting, but it is only through His grace and think of it–He continues to give and give and give–there is no measure to the end of His grace. So do not be overwhelmed by your difficulty, or by the terror that you see in the world. God’s grace is able to keep you; God’s grace will keep you.