THE HOPE OF GOD’S GRACE IN UNCERTAIN TIMES
The biographical account of poetess/hymn-writer Annie Johnson Flint (1866-1932) is a story of hope in heartbreak and faith through triumph. Annie was born on Christmas Eve in the small town of Vineland, New Jersey. When she was two years old she lost her mother and shortly after lost her father. She and her sister were adopted by a loving family. Annie became a teacher after schooling but shortly after her career began, she contracted debilitating arthritis and was restricted to a wheelchair. [1]
She and her younger sister were decimated once again when both of their adoptive parents passed away within a few months of each other. Alone, with little money, and twice-orphaned, the children were at a difficult place in life. However, the faith that she had received through her acceptance of Jesus at an early age and her hope for the future carried her through. Her writing gave her solace in the long hours of suffering. [2]
She began making hand-lettered card and gift books which were eventually picked up by a publisher. She put into poetry words that she entitled, “What God Hath Promised.” Through those words and many others, she became convinced that God intended to glorify Himself through her work. Like Paul, an earthen vessel, she gained real assurance and could say with the apostle the promise granted to him: “My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.” The marvelous thing is that Annie’s faith never faltered, and that she was at all times able to say, “Thy will be done.” In her hymn “He Giveth Me Grace,” she wrote:
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.[3]
– Annie Johnson Flint
God does not give us His complete plan for the future. We cannot predict what will happen in any moment beyond the present. Our choice in life’s times of difficultly is to believe and trust in the grace of God. God’s grace will rescue us in uncertain times. This is the hope we have as we begin to feel the pressure and injustice of a world that is dominated by immorality. We live in a fallen world that relishes sin, defies death, and ignores and even abhors God.
[1] Adapted from the biography associated with, Annie Johnson Flint, He Giveth More Grace, Hymnary.org website and special contents copyright 2007-present Harry Plantinga, hymnary.org/text/he_giveth_more_grace_as_our_burdens.
[2] Ibid, Annie Johnson Flint, He Giveth More Grace.
[3] Annie Johnson Flint, He Giveth More Grace, Ibid.
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