A lady named Annie Johnson Flint was born on Christmas eve, in 1866, in New Jersey. Her mother died when Annie was just 3 years old, and her father died shortly afterwards. Annie and her only sister were adopted by a good Christian family, and she came to know Jesus Christ as her Savior when she was just ten years of age.
Later in life, while still a teenager, both of her adopted parents died within a few months of each other as well. Again Annie and her sister were left all alone. Then, to add even more trials to Annie’s life, she came down with debilitating Arthritis, and was to become an invalid. For the rest of her life, there was hardly a day that went by that she was not in pain of some degree, and yet she completely trusted God and knew that God had a plan and purpose for all that He did.
Although highly crippled from the arthritis and barely able to hold a writing instrument at times, Annie wrote many poems and songs about God’s love and grace. One of her most well known hymns is entitled “He Giveth More Grace,”:
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.
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.
Annie’s words through poems and hymns have touched people all over the world. And at the age of 66, on September 8, 1932, Annie’s painful life was ended and she went home to be with Jesus Christ whom she trusted and loved. Her last words were, “I have nothing to say. Everything is all right.”
While many people complain about life’s little problems and the few troubles they have to endure, people like Annie come to know Jesus Christ in amazing ways as they learn He is EVERYTHING they need, and they trust and depend upon Him, even in the midst of a life filled with pain and sorrow, because they realize the pain of this life will SOON be gone, and life with Jesus Christ for all of eternity will begin.
I am reminded of the words in 1 Corinthians 1:27, “…God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong…” Many people who have everything and a “good life” in this world, don’t think they need God. However, those who endure pain, trials, and difficulties learn that God is ALL they really need.
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.
This life is so short and eternity SO LONG, “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” (1 Corinthians 2:9) No matter the pain, trials, and troubles we may have to endure in this life – let them bring us closer to God and to the realization that as the song writer put it, “It will be worth it all when we see Jesus, Life’s trials will seem so small when we see Christ; One glimpse of His dear face all sorrow will erase, So bravely run the race till we see Christ.”
If you personally know Jesus Christ as your Savior, there is NOTHING else in this world worth more than knowing and pleasing Him!
HE IS EVERYTHING!