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The treasury is large and inexhaustible
(John MacDuff, "The Throne of
Grace")
"Grow in grace." 2 Peter 3:18
Growth in grace is chiefly manifested in common
things--in your ordinary duties--in your home circle,
in resisting and overcoming--habits of self-indulgence
--habits of harshness, fretfulness, irritability of temper,
or the like.
"Grace" may be brought into exercise too, in bearing
sickness, trial, unkindness, or reproach, with a patient
uncomplaining spirit--in helping and encouraging your
neighbor--in being more generous, more kind, more
sympathizing--in showing more "love, joy, peace,
patience, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness,
temperance"--in delighting more in prayer and the
Word of God--in setting the Lord more and more
before you--in ever keeping Him in mind.
It is thus "grace" will truly grow and expand, so that
every fresh duty becomes more easy, and every fresh
trial less painful. Grace, brought into the details of
daily life--elevates and consecrates human affection,
and sweetens earthly love with the deepest and tenderest
sympathies, as it pervades duty, pleasure, and recreation.
But we must never forget, that our ability for all this
comes from above--that, as there is only one source
from which "grace" comes to us at first, so there is
only one source from which we can obtain renewed
supplies. "He gives more grace." Grace is no scanty
thing, doled out in pittances. The fountain is full and
overflowing--the treasury is large and inexhaustible;
myriads are hourly hanging on it, and drawing from it,
and yet there is no diminishing! Out of that fullness
all may receive grace for grace.
"And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so
that in all things at all times, having all that you need,
you will abound in every good work." 2 Corinthians 9:8
Christian! Oh, repair to the throne of grace for a
fresh supply, and, be assured, that there is . . .
not a trial you can encounter,
not a sorrow you can experience,
not a difficulty you can meet with in your daily life,
for which Jesus, in the treasury of grace, has not a
corresponding solace. The throne of grace is the
only refuge for the sin-stricken, woe-worn spirit.
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