Lord’s Day, Vol. 2 No. 48
(1) I Need Thee Every Hour
Annie S. Hawks (1835-1919) was led to pen the words of the hymn, “I Need Thee Every Hour.” She recorded the following:
“One day as a young wife and mother of 37 years of age, I was busy with my regular household tasks. Suddenly, I became filled with the sense of nearness to the Master, and I began to wonder how anyone could ever live without Him, either in joy or pain. Then the words were ushered into my mind and these thoughts took full possession of me.”
Not until sixteen years later, with the death of her husband, did the full impact of those words ministered to her own heart. She then wrote:
“I did not understand at first why this hymn had touched the great throbbing heart of humanity. It was not until long after, when the shadow fell over my way, the shadow of a great loss, that I understood something of the comforting power in the words which I had been permitted to give to others in my hour of sweet serenity and peace.”
Annie Hawks and her story reminds us of the importance of knowing the closeness of our Lord in the peaceful hours in order to be triumphant when storms and trials of life come upon us. Let us now make our prayer the prayer of this great hymn, in the assurance that the Lord’s presence and power will sustain us in the hour of need.
I need Thee every hour, most gracious Lord.
No tender voice like Thine can peace afford.
I need Thee every hour; stay Thou near by
Temptations lose their pow’r when Thou art nigh.
I need Thee every hour, in joy or pain.
Come quickly, and abide, or life is vain.
I need Thee every hour, teach me Thy will,
And Thy rich promises in me fulfil.
I need Thee, O I need Thee;
Every hour I need Thee!
O bless me now, my Savior –
I come to Thee.
Let us thank God for His grace. This comforting hymn can be found in Hymn #387 of the Revival Hymns and Choruses. [Extracted and edited from Songs in the Night by Henry Gariepy]
(2) Whence Cometh Your Help? Part 1
Psalm 121:1-2 A Song of degrees. I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. 2 My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth.
Where do we find help in times of need? This psalm strikes a strong note of assurance that God is the unfailing Helper of His people.
There are many so-called “dropouts” in society because they have reached a high wall, cornered and do not know what to do. They broke down. At the main lobby of the Institute of Mental Health, there is a statue depicting a man lending a helping hand to pull another man out from sinking into utter despair and hopelessness. The figure is entitled “Sayang”, the Malay word for “love, care and concern”. For the children of God, we know that our God and Saviour Jesus Christ is our unfailing Helper.
Psalm 121 is a traveller’s psalm. A pilgrim’s song sung as the worshippers climbed the steps in ascending degrees to the temple at Jerusalem to celebrate the festivities of the Jews. This is a psalm of worship and consecration. Pilgrims made their way to the temple to renew their faith and trust in God. The Jewish pilgrims sang on their way up to Jerusalem.
The psalmist affirmed in his heart and confessed in his mouth in penning this psalm that his help comes from God.
When he was distressed and troubled, he would pray and look to God. It is the hassle-free and effectual prayer posture of the child of God. The petitioner lifts up his eyes to the hills, but above the hills, enthroned in heaven is the LORD, who protects Israel.
How often during trial and testing, we invariably find ourselves looking for help everywhere else other than from God. Ever so often we let our problems overwhelm our heart and we begin to doubt God’s ability to help us.
The phrase “cometh from” is translated from two prepositions, “from” and “with” or beside” in the original Hebrew text. The word “cometh” is rightly placed by the King James translators to supply the source of our help, for his help comes from his LORD who is with or beside him.
You do not have to look very far. Our Lord is with us is the important thought that the psalmist is conveying. Notice the psalmist wrote in the first person. He is affirming from his own experience the faithfulness and trustworthiness of God.
All that we are comes from Him. Has He not the power to make good our lives? Surely He has. Therefore, may we be encouraged to pray and not to faint. Amen.
Yours lovingly in Christ,
Ps. Lek Aik Wee