Last week I was again quoting the old baseball philosopher, Yogi Berra, who sagely observed “it is like déjà vu all over again.” Exactly a year ago I was exiting the hospital from heart surgery, and this week I was undergoing emergency gallbladder removal. Glad to escape the hospital the day before Thanksgiving, and then quietly celebrating a very grateful day at home. Not real fun, but once again graciously orchestrated by a faithful God. 

There were no warnings or symptoms — just, wham! I got to the hospital before the surgeon left town for his previously planned Thanksgiving vacation. He did the surgery and was gone the next morning. But our Lord was in control of everything. I was even current with my preparations for winter guests at Maranatha Village. Snowbirds are beginning to arrive, and by January 1 things will be in full swing. Our team of helpers is functioning at high level and I will be able to answer questions from home as I heal.

A thought came to me from the phrase in James 4:6, “But He gives more grace.” Several years ago I embarked on an over-arching journey to explore Bible truth about God’s grace. This week I could not miss the realization that God’s grace toward me was again abundantly evident. Several truths jumped out to me as I meditated on numerous scriptural gems. The imprint of His grace on my life was noticeable and so encouraging. Again, I cannot miss the impression that God is not finished with me yet, and a great God organized personal circumstances to give me more grace.

That thought sent me on a quick search, and I found that in scripture there is never a hint of little, or small, or weak, or insufficient grace. The apostle Paul mentions and expounds on the subject of grace in many passages. He declares that grace abounds, is exceeding in riches and is sufficient for us in times of weakness and infirmity. Grace does not promise that everything will be easy or painless, but that God’s grace will be enough for our every need.

It is interesting that the Lord Jesus spoke several times about little faith, and at other times of great faith. And many scriptural passages highlight the greatness of grace, but never about “little” grace. Never. The book of Acts makes it clear that the “good news” of the gospel was spread and received widely — but it was all the work of grace that drew people to become believers in Christ and His redemptive work. Grace spreads and delivers the truth of the gospel, and grace confirms the power of the gospel in the lives of believers.

And here, this week — God was giving more grace. 

Annie Johnson Flint captures this thought in her poem…

  He giveth more grace when the burdens grow greater,
 He sendeth more strength when the labors increase,
 To added affliction He addeth His mercy,
 To multiplied trials, His multiplied 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 limit, 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.