More Grace. . . .

 

Every morning before reading Scripture and spending time thinking about what God is saying to me, I open a file of lyrics and sing praises to God. I’m not a great singer, but this turns my thoughts to Him and helps ready my heart for whatever comes next.

This morning I was feeling less lively than yesterday and focused more on my fatigue and the small trials behind and ahead of me. God knew. This song was in the queue:

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

My thoughts became thankful for the many times these words have been my experience. I also thought of the people I’ve criticized for always ‘doing, doing, doing’ without any seeming Sabbath rest, and felt ashamed. God is able to provide whatever is needed, even strength to do the impossible. I’ve no business being critical of any of His servants who take on a load that seems impossible to me. I’ve also many things that need His grace and enablement.

The reading today again includes this:

For the Lord your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great, the mighty, and the awesome God, who is not partial and takes no bribe. He executes justice for the fatherless and the widow, and loves the sojourner, giving him food and clothing. Love the sojourner, therefore, for you were sojourners in the land of Egypt. You shall fear the Lord your God. You shall serve him and hold fast to him, and by his name you shall swear. He is your praise. He is your God, who has done for you these great and terrifying things that your eyes have seen. (Deuteronomy 10:17–21)

God needs nothing, and because I am not God, I need everything, all the time. In serving others, I feel without resources. In day-to-day responsibilities, I feel useless, try to find easier chores, or simply check them off the list undone. Yet God reminds me again and again:

I can do all things through him who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:13)
And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:19)

PRAY: Rather than spend the day on the sofa, or pretend daily responsibilities do not matter, I need Your resources today. Clear my head of all the junk that plays tag inside it, snap my muscles into attention, and grant me a zeal to tackle what You have put on my plate. Your love has no limits and Your grace has no measure. Enable me to rely on Your infinite riches once again today.