The hymn “He Giveth More Grace,” by Annie J. Flint, has potent words of encouragement that minister to all of us: “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…our strength has failed ere the day is half done, when we reach the end of our hoarded resources, our Father’s full giving has only begun. His love has no limits, His grace has no measure, His power has no boundary known unto men: For out of His infinite riches in Jesus, He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again.”

This hymn is based on the truth from one short phrase in James 4:6: “But He giveth more grace.” The believing Jews, to whom James wrote these words, were facing great difficulties. They were under persecution from unbelieving Jews who hated them for their faith in the Lord Jesus. These believers also anticipated seven years of far greater persecution prior to their Savior’s return to vanquish their enemies before the Millennial Kingdom. Added to all this, they struggled, as do we today, with a fallen old nature that made living godly very difficult. In the preceding verses, James rebuked them for internal fighting within their churches (vs. 1), a lack of prayer (vs. 2), prayer with wrong motives (vs. 3), improper worldliness (vs. 4), and the acknowledgment that “…the spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy” (vs. 5). What was the answer to defeat these sinful tendencies? James told them that, in the midst of all their struggles, God giveth more grace. They needed to rely on that. Similarly, when the Apostle Paul was exhausted from persecution and the work of the ministry, he came to the end of his human resources when a painful “thorn in the flesh” (II Corinthians 12:7) persisted. Three times he asked the Lord to remove this physical infirmity. The Lord’s answer to him was: “…My grace is sufficient for thee” (II Corinthians 12:9).

In every dispensation, in every situation, and for every saint, God’s strengthening grace is our greatest need in our most difficult times. If you’re going through a divorce, difficulty at work, wearisome illness, emotional distress, or other difficulties, remember, “…He giveth more grace.” Spend sufficient time in God’s Word, in prayer, and in fellowship with God’s people. Specifically ask God for His strengthening grace. He may not remove your trial, but He will give you more grace.