HE GIVETH MORE GRACE

HE GIVETH MORE GRACE!

James 4:5-7

5 Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy?

6 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.

7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

2 Cor 12:9

9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.

           Only once, in James chapter 4 do we see this phrase. It is very interesting to me because James can sometimes come across as a bit harsh in his application of truth. Grace might have been reserved for John, or even Paul, but James also admits both the need and the supply. I don’t like being – or even feeling – weak. Neither did Paul! But in his weakness Paul experienced and learned to appreciate the grace of God.

           Your automobile is equipped with a gas pedal, or what we old timers used to call the foot feed. When going uphill or in times of stress or strain the foot feed fed more and more fuel to the engine which enabled the car to proceed. So it is with the grace of God. It seems there is always sufficient grace for every need.

           Grace can be defined as God’s favor, kindness, and friendship. Dr. Charles Stanley said it is: God's kindness toward humanity, without regard to the worth or merit of those who receive it, and without their deserving it. In 2 Corinthians 12:9 the word “sufficient” has the idea of “raising a barrier.” So we see that God raises a protective barrier against those things that distress us.

I awoke this morning with this old song in my head. It was written by Ann J. Flint.

1.     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.

2.     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.

3.     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.

4.     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.

Dear Lord, all I can say this morning is thank you for your sufficient grace. AMEN