He Giveth More Grace

Heather Allington

Heather writes for Sunday Song Book on behalf of the The Salvation Army Oshawa. As a lifelong member of the Army, she has loved these familiar - and some less familiar - songs for many years, and enjoys researching and writing about their origins. She is a wife, mother, grandmother and retired elementary school teacher who likes trying her hand at watercolour painting and poetry writing.

He giveth more grace as our burdens grow greater;
He sendeth more strength as our labours increase;
To added afflictions He addeth His mercy;
To multiplied trials He multiplies 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.

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.

The writer of these comforting words was Annie Johnson Flint, a young American woman who certainly knew the extent of God’s enabling grace in her difficult life. Orphaned before Annie was six years old, she and her sister were adopted by the Flint family. Annie went to school in Trenton and became a teacher, but soon became severely afflicted with arthritis, and in less than five years was unable to walk. She had begun writing poems at the age of nine, and many of her verses have been published in books, magazines and greeting cards. She learned to play the piano and set some of her poetry to music.

a young American woman who certainly knew the extent of God’s enabling grace in her difficult life Share on X

Annie was born in Vineland, New Jersey, in 1866, but later moved to Clifton Springs, New York. There she met many missionaries and other ministers of the Gospel. Surely she and they blessed each other with their life experiences. Annie Johnson Flint died in 1932. Who knows how many people have been enabled to face and endure great trials as they held to the truths of this song of Annie’s?