"He Giveth More Grace"

“Songs My Father Sang”

He Giveth More Grace

This song was written by Annie Johnson Flint who has written some of the most inspiring poems dealing with faith and triumph in times of trial and suffering.

Born in Vineland, NJ, Anne had lost both parents before she was six years old. Before his death, her father left Anne and her baby sister with a childless Christian couple, the Flints, who adopted them.

She wanted to become a teacher, but in her second year of teaching she was afflicted with arthritis and soon after became unable to walk. The death of both of her adoptive parents left Anne and her sister alone again.

Anne aspired to be a composer and concert pianist but when illness deprived her of her ability to play the piano she resorted to writing poetry. Some of her poetry she set to music.

Her writing came from experience. “Her fingers were bent, her joints were swollen, and often she could write only a few lines at a time.” She wrote many of her poems on the typewriter, using but her knuckles.

“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 Anne’s physical condition, and readers would donate funds to help her.” (William J. and Ardythe Petersen. “The Complete Book of Hymns.” Carol Stream: Tyndale House, 2006, 176)

  "He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak."  Isaiah 40:29


He Giveth More Grace

Text: Annie Johnson Flint (188-1932)
Music:  Hubert Mitchell

He giveth more grace when the burdens grow greater,
He sendeth more strength when the labors increase;
To added affliction He addeth His mercy;
To multiplied trials, His multiplied peace.

Refrain:


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.

      This verse is not usually included in hymnals:

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.

Biblical promises on which the song is based:
     "He gives more grace" (James 4:6)
     "He increases strength" (Isaiah 40:29)
     "Mercy unto you, and peace, and love, be multiplied" (Jude 2).

2 Corinthians 12:9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

Also, see: Romans 5:1-6 "Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly."

I Corinthians 10:13  "No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.”

James 1:2-5 “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.” 

Here is another insightful poem by Anne Flint:

What God Hath Promised

Anne Johnson Flint, 1919

God hath not promised skies always blue,
Flower strewn pathways all our lives through;
God hath not promised sun without rain,
Joy without sorrow, peace without pain.

Refrain

But God hath promised strength for the day,
Rest for the labor, light for the way,
Grace for the trials, help from above,
Unfailing sympathy, undying love.

God hath not promised we shall not know
Toil and temptation, trouble and woe;
He hath not told us we shall not bear
Many a burden, many a care.

God hath not promised smooth roads and wide,
Swift, easy travel, needing no guide;
Never a mountain rocky and steep,
Never a river turbid and deep.