‘I need Thee every hour’

By JEREMY THORNTON

Minute with the Minister

“Give us this day our daily bread.” (Matthew 6:11) ‘I need Thee every hour, most gracious Lord. No tender voice like Thine can peace afford. I need Thee, O I need Thee; every hour I need Thee …” This is the opening lines to the hymn (I Need Thee Every Hour) that was written by Annie Sherwood Hawks in 1872, which acknowledges man’s deep need and dependance upon Jehovah for all things.

As we have been commanded to teach and admonish one another in psalms and hymns (Col. 3:16), this wonderful hymn has admonished many generations of Christians.

This hymn is more than a collection of words put together to fill time during worship, and there are several lessons taught within this hymn, but there is always a tendency to “go through the motions” and sing the words on the pages of the hymnals without giving much thought to what we are singing.

One of the reasons this hymn is the favorite of many is because it causes us to reflect upon our great dependance upon God.

From the very beginning of time, mankind has depended upon God for everything.

The health, wealth, and prosperity we have been able to enjoy in life has come from the very hands of God, just as the book of James reminds us: “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning” (James 1:17). When we begin to read the creation account found within Genesis 1-2, we notice the intricate detail and care that was given by God as He created all things in six days. God created light, the sun, moon, planets, stars, vegetation, and animals, stating “it is good” after each day of creation. After God created all things, He formed man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life (Gen. 2:7), but unlike the rest of creation, man was created in the very image of God (Gen. 1:27), setting man apart from the rest of creation, giving man an eternal soul.

The creation account alone should be sufficient evidence to prove man’s deep need for Jehovah, and just as man was formed by God, and life was breathed into man from God, man without God is nothing and able to do nothing. The very breath within us, the blood pumping through our bodies, the clothing we wear, the homes in which we live, and our daily bread, all comes from the Father above, and just as this hymn reminds us, man, in fact, needs God every hour!

Throughout the Bible, we can examine example after example, proving man’s dependance upon God. The Old Testament provides countless examples, but the prime example throughout the Old Testament might be the children of Israel. The latter chapters of the book of Genesis shows God’s care for the descendants of Abraham, and through His providential care, Joseph was able to save Egypt, and the rest of the world, through the wisdom God gave him, saving through the seven years of plenty and being able to survive the seven years of famine. As the book of Genesis closes, Israel (Jacob) and all his family live in Egypt, being blessed by God. As the book of Exodus begins, a Pharaoh arose that did not know Joseph or God and the children of Israel were made slaves and were afflicted greatly in the service. God would care for Israel and Moses would be sent to deliver Israel from the Egyptians which would only be done after a series of plagues and the parting of the Red Sea.

After Israel is released from Egyptian bondage, God continues to care for them, providing food (manna from heaven), and would guide them through the wilderness by a pillar of cloud and a pillar of fire. After forty years of wandering in the wilderness, God would provide the Promise Land to Israel, and God gave them ALL things that was promised to their fathers (Joshua 21:43-45).

The New Testament also provides ample illustrations of man’s dependance upon God. Jesus would devote much of His Sermon on the Mount to teaching man’s dependance upon God. Jesus proves that God provides for all things, and if God would care for the birds of the air or the lilies of the field, how much more care will God provide for man that was made in the image of God.

Since God cares for us the way He does, Jesus concludes these thoughts by showing man’s priority in life: “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you” (Matthew 6:33). Another great example in the New Testament is the apostle Paul (2 Cor. 12). The apostle Paul gives a long list of the many things he suffered for the preaching of the Gospel (2 Cor. 11:23ff.), and then he begins to discuss the “thorn in the flesh” which afflicted him, and he sought the Lord’s help to remove it from him but was told “my grace is sufficient for thee” (2 Cor.

12:9-10). This same man that sought earnestly to have these troubles removed from him is the same man that wrote “rejoice in the Lord always” (Phil. 4:4), knowing he could do “all things through Christ which strengtheneth me” (Phil. 4:13).

Jeremiah reminds us it is not within man that we should direct our steps (Jer. 10:23).

Solomon instructs of the “whole duty of man” which is to “fear God and keep His commandments” (Ecc.

12:13). The hymns we sing remind us of the great need we have for God, may we sing with understanding and always be thankful for the care of our wonderful God.

I need Thee every hour, Most gracious Lord; No tender voice like Thine Can peace afford.

I need Thee every hour; Stay Thou nearby, Temptations lose their power When Thou art nigh.

I need Thee every hour; Most Holy One; Oh make me Thine indeed, Thou blessed Son.

I need Thee Oh I need Thee Every hour I need Thee; Oh bless me now my Savior; I come to Thee.

Jeremy Thornton is Minister of Highway 77 Church of Christ in Marion, Arkansas.

Jeremy Thornton

Minute with the Minister