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to this ministryFor of His fullness we have all received, and grace upon grace" (John 1:16) "My grace is sufficient for you" (2 Corinthians 12:9a). "But He gives us more grace" (James 4:6a).
Those of us who drive are aware that we must keep an eye on the fuel gauge. The supply of fuel in the tank is always being depleted as we drive and we are familiar with that in life. Physical resources deplete. At times we extend our human experience toward our view of God and that is disastrous. God's grace tank is always adequate!
What wonderful, complimentary truths are found in the three daily Scripture verses! God's grace is His undeserved favor upon His people. We see His grace demonstrated in so many ways both big and small.
When we lived in New England Brooksyne met a retired missionary who shared an interesting story. Olive Hawkes served, along with her husband, for many years as a missionary in what is now Bangladesh. They labored under extremely harsh conditions, faithfully serving the Lord and expressing His message of love and redemption to the people. Bangladesh was, and is presently, an extremely impoverished country. Overwhelmingly Muslim, receptivity to the Gospel was (and is to this day) relatively minimal.
It was during a time of great discouragement when the Hawkes' resources were very low that a friend from the states sent her a record which she manually played by turning a crank on the record player. She was listening to a newer song titled "He giveth more grace". However in the providence of God the record had a scratch on it and skipped at the most interesting place. The refrain in the song goes "He giveth and giveth and giveth again". However it was at this very place the record skipped so that it continued to play "He giveth and giveth and giveth and giveth and giveth…." Olive knew God wanted her to hear this line over and over and it filled her with great and assurance.
Be encouraged today, that's so true! He just keeps on giving His grace and His reserve is never depleted. Receive this message today. God loves you and cares about you. Whatever you're going through put your trust in Him. His grace ever remains sufficient and His grace tank is always full!
Be encouraged today,
Stephen C. Weber
Brooksyne's prayer: Jesus, You know how I often I ask You for blessings and yet I can't know the extent of Your limitless grace unless I acknowledge my human boundaries. I can't personally know Your divine strength unless I acknowledge my human weakness. In the midst of multiple heartaches and distress You multiply Your peace and provision for my life. Help me not to resent affliction but to receive Your immeasurable grace for all that concerns me. In Your name I pray, Amen.
Brooksyne's note: I've used the background story to this hymn and the story Mrs. Hawkes shared with many people over the years. After retirement in the states Mr. Hawkes had Alzheimers for a number of years and was placed in a nursing home. Mrs. Hawkes did not know how to drive, but took driving lessons in her 70's so that she could learn to drive and spend time with him in the nursing home. Until the day the Lord called him home she drove herself each day to the nursing home to be with her husband. Perhaps you'd like to encourage someone through the mail or personally deliver this message of hope to someone who is having difficulty understanding God's grace at this moment. A printable version of this story is available here (pdf).
A book we suggest for those going through life's storms is "When Life Gets Tough" by Henry Gariepy.
I was curious as to if there was any other online mention of the Hawkes and came across a sermon that mentioned them in an illustration. Since she was very old when Brooksyne met her in the nineties this must have taken place many, many years ago. (East Pakistan is now known as Bangladesh).
"How well do I remember the year I stopped by at the airport on my way back to college. I was driving a VW bug with all my possessions packed in a trunk tied on the roof, and when I reached Hartford Connecticut, instead of turning south on the Burlington Turnpike, I went north a few miles to Bradley Field. A small group of prayer supporters were on hand to bid farewell to Howard and Olive Hawkes who were once again on their way back to the mission field they loved, East Pakistan. Their oldest daughter Lois was being left behind in college, their autistic son Howard would remain at home for the first time, and with them was their 16 year old daughter Joy. As I got back on the highway and made my way toward the next step in my own preparation for ministry, I was moved to tears as I reviewed that scene over and over in my mind's eye. What for me was a heart wrenching moment, for Howard and Olive was a glorious moment - with broad smiles on their faces they climbed the ramp to the plane. How could they do that? Because they knew they were being sent. They were missionaries.
He giveth more grace when the burden grows greater;
He sendeth more strength when the labors increase.
To added affliction He addeth His mercy;
To multiplied trials, His multiplied peace.
His love has no limit; His grace has no measure;
His pow'r has no boundary known unto men.
For out of His infinite riches in Jesus,
He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again.
"He Giveth More Grace" Annie Johnson Flint © 1941. Renewed 1969 Lillenas Publishing Company (SESAC) (Admin. by The Copyright Company) CCLI License No. 2005306
Brooksyne playing this hymn (mp3)
Scripture references are from The Holy Bible: New International Version. © 1984 by International Bible Society; NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission; and the King James Version.
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