Three years later,
little Annie would lose her mother, who died as she gave birth to Annie’s baby
sister. Mr. Johnson, who himself was suffering from an incurable disease, would
die young too.
By a remarkable providence,
a local schoolteacher, who the children came to know as “Auntie Susie,” saw the
distressing situation. She recommended a childless Christian couple in the
town, Mr. and Mrs. Flint, as a possible solution. It would, of course, require
Eldon to be willing to allow them to be adopted as their own.
He was willing to do
this on two counts. First, his serious illness, which resulted in his own death
not long afterwards and secondly, the fact that they were Baptist! Annie’s father had long hoped that the children would be brought up in a Baptist
tradition.
The couple offered a
loving and warm-hearted Christian home to the two girls and after the adoption,
their surname was added to Annie’s. The Flint’s moved from their rural home in
the countryside, into the small town nearby. Annie always retained her love for
the natural world around her and it colored the rest of her life.
The move coincided with
a number of evangelistic meetings taking place in the town. At the age of
eight, Annie was brought to saving faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. In later
life she testified of the reality of that experience and although she was so
young, she was convinced that God had truly saved her that day.
Before she became a
teenager, Annie began to develop a keen interest in reading and
writing—particularly poetry. This was fueled by Mr. Flint’s extensive library.
She and her friend from school formed a two-member literary society. Every
Saturday afternoon they met together to read material by their favorite poets;
and then to attempt to write poems themselves.
Her character was
naturally cheerful and optimistic, which is remarkable in view of the sadness
and loss that she had known as a younger child.
After high school, she
spent one year in teacher training, but felt she was really needed at home.
Soon arthritis began to show itself. She grew steadily worse until it became difficult
for her to walk at all. The death of both of her adoptive parents within a few
months of each other left Annie and her sister alone again.
She wanted to be a
composer and concert pianist, but her illness deprived her of the ability to
play the piano. So, she began to write poetry. Later in life, being unable to
open her hands, she wrote her poems on the typewriter, using her knuckles. Out
of these trials and problems came this great hymn.
The poems she wrote
provided solace for her. Some of her poetry she set to music.
She began making
hand-lettered cards and gift books. Two card publishers printed some of her
greetings and released the first little brochure of her poems.
She put into poetry
words that she titled, “What God Hath Promised.” She said, “Most
gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities that the power of Christ
may rest upon me.” She believed that God had laid her aside for a purpose,
even though that purpose was obscure to her at times.
The marvelous thing is
that Annie’s faith never faltered. She was, at all times, able to say, “Thy
will be done.”
A missionary from India
once shared the following story about this song. “It was in the 40s when
this song was newly released. Some caring individual from the states sent me
the record through the mail. They had no idea how very discouraged I was or how
exhausted my resources were.
“I excitedly loaded my
Victrola record player and began to play this new inspiration song. When it got
to the chorus, ‘He giveth and giveth and giveth . . .’ the needle got stuck. So
over and over I heard the phrase ‘He giveth and giveth and giveth’ until it
brought absolute joy from the deep resources of my heart. I realized God truly
wanted me to experience His unlimited and overflowing provisions for my
needs.’”
This
hymn may have been based on 2 Corinthians 12:9: “But he said to me, ‘My
grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.
Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that
Christ’s power may rest on me.”
Verse One
“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.”
2
Corinthians 12:8-9
“Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take
it away from me. But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my
power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly
about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.”
Biblehub.com, Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary: The apostle gives an account of the method God took to keep him humble, and to prevent his being "lifted up" above measure, on account of the visions and revelations he had . . . When God does not take away our troubles and temptations, yet, if He gives grace enough for us, we have no reason to complain. Grace signifies the good-will of God towards us, and that is enough to enlighten and enliven us, sufficient to strengthen and comfort in all afflictions and distresses. His strength is made perfect in our weakness. Thus, His grace is manifested and magnified. When we are weak in ourselves, then we are strong in the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ; when we feel that we are weak in ourselves, then we go to Christ, receive strength from Him, and enjoy most the supplies of Divine strength and grace.
Verse
Two
“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.”
Isaiah 40:20
"He gives
strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak."
Biblehub.com, Benson Commentary: He hath enough, not only for Himself, but for all, even the weakest of His creatures, whom He can easily strengthen to bear all their burdens and to vanquish all their oppressors.
1
Corinthians 10:13
“No temptation
has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. 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 endure it.”
Studylight.org,
Coffman’s Commentaries on the Bible: The agency of God Himself is in view in
this passage. All temptation, while allowed by God, is also controlled by Him;
and the Father will simply not allow a child of God to be tempted above what he
is able to bear. In the wise providence of God, He has made a way out of every
temptation; and, as Barclay noted, “There is the way out, and the way out is
not the way of surrender, and not the way of retreat, but the way of conquest
in the power of the grace of God.”
Verse Three
“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.”
Deuteronomy 33:27a
“The eternal
God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms.”
Biblestudytools.com:
Such is Christ to His people . . . where they dwell as in a strong hold,
safely, quietly, comfortably, and pleasantly . . . which are the support of His
people, and their protection, safety, and security such as the arms of His
everlasting love, which encircle them, and compass them about as a shield; His
everlasting covenant, which is immovable, and in which they ever remain;
eternal redemption and salvation, wrought out by Christ, and everlasting power
. . .and so the arms of Christ, or His almighty power, are under the world, to
uphold it in being; and under His church, to support it . . . carries in His
arms, embraces in His bosom, bears them up under all their afflictions and
temptations, trials and exercises; nor will He ever suffer them to drop out of
His arms, or to be plucked from thence.
Verse Four
“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.”
Romans 11:33
“Oh, the depth
of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable His
judgments, and His paths beyond tracing out!”
Studylight.org,
Coffman’s Commentary on the Bible: The magnificent doxology . . . is an
exclamation of adoration and praise to God . . . Paul stated his absolute trust
and confidence in the inscrutable ways of God, whether people understand them
or not (and, in the very nature of things, people can never fully understand
them) . . . God is in control. Nothing else really matters. God’s ways cannot
be fully known to mortals . . . but true faith receives all that God does in
full trust and confidence. He who gave His Son to die for people will grant
eternal happiness to every possible recipient of it, provided only that people
believe and obey him.
Colossians
1:27
“To them God has
chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery,
which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.”
Studylight.org,
Gann’s Commentary on the Bible: Paul breaks into a doxology at this point . . .
Oh, the depth . . . The apostle has three subjects of admiration . . .to
express his admiration of the riches and the wisdom, and the knowledge of God .
. . The word “depth” is applied in the Scriptures to anything vast and
incomprehensible . . .The word “riches” denotes the abundant blessings and
mercies which had been conferred on people by the gospel . . . Wisdom is the
choice of the best means God used to accomplish the best end. The end or design
which God had in view was to bestow mercy on all . . . And knowledge, that is, God’s foreknowledge
and omniscience . . . How unsearchable – the word “unsearchable” means what cannot
be fully understood.”
The song “He
Giveth More Grace” was based on three Bible promises: “He giveth more grace”
(James 4:6); “He increaseth strength” (Isaiah 40:29); and “Mercy unto you, and
peace, and love, be multiplied (Jude 2).
“There is a grace
and strength from God that is not given in the everyday routine of life. But,
God gives it to us in our hour of need when our trust is in Him. When troubles
and trials come upon us, may we know His added grace, His increased strength,
and His multiplied peace.” “Songs in the Night”
I'm
indebted to the following resources:
Castlefieldschurch.org.uk, David Fielding
Hymnary.org
www.hymntime.com/teh
Dailyencouragement.net
Homecomingmagazine.com
By His Grace . . .
