We had not been to church for quite a while, mainly because of the COVID-19 situation as well as on account of personal medical issues. But in April, we started attending again. Mind you, a lot has changed: attendance has decreased, and there are not as many hymns sung, but they have a short meditative video at the very end of the service.
One Sunday, there was a scene of beautiful country views while a song written by Annie J. Flint and sung by Don Moen was played. A couple of verses spoke to my heart:
He giveth more grace when the burdens grow greater
He sendeth more strength when the labours increase
To added affliction He addeth His mercy
To multiplied trials His multiplied peace.
When we have exhausted our stores of endurance
When 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.
I can relate to some of those words. I have always been a person who wanted to be doing something. I have trouble doing nothing, and I spent a lot of time pursuing a variety of hobbies, even during my working career. But now that I am well up in years, I find that I tire easily, and I need to take it easy and rest more. My strength seems to fail me when the day is half done.
Moses had the same kind of experience after he had spent forty years taking the children of Israel from a life of slavery almost to the Promised Land. All those years, he was busy as a leader, judge, and counsellor. He talked with God, he preached to the people, and he wrote down the events of that forty-year journey. It is generally accepted that he wrote the first five books of the Bible. Then, as the people were about to enter the Promised Land, he gave a great speech. It started this way:
“And he said to them, ‘I am one hundred and twenty years old today. I can no longer go out and come in.'” (Deuteronomy 31:2a NKJV)
Moses was aware that his days of leading the people were over. There comes a time in our lives when we just can’t do the things that we used to do, need to do, or want to do. It is then that we realize that “He giveth more grace when the burdens grow greater.”
May all of us who have reached this stage in our lives be assured of that promise.
Prayer: Our Father in heaven, there are times when we become so distraught about the fact that we are no longer able to do what we used to do. We earnestly pray that You would give us understanding, patience, and peace in our hearts. We ask it in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Copyright © 2022, by Joel Jongkind <austria67@bmts.com>, first published on the PresbyCan Daily Devotional presbycan.ca .
Meaford, Ontario, Canada
Reprinted from PresbyCan with author’s permission