I Need Thee Every Hour

Robert Duncan Studios ©2006
I NEED THEE EV'RY HOUR

Annie S. Hawks, 1835-1918

Refrain added by Robert Lowry

In the day of my trouble I will call upon Thee: for Thou wilt answer me.Psalm 86:7

This deeply personal hymn came from the heart of a busy housewife and mother who had no idea of the spiritual strength that her own hastily written words would bring her later during a sorrowful time in her life. The author, Annie S. Hawks, has left this account about the writing of her poem in 1872: 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.

Sixteen years later, Mrs. Hawks experienced the death of her husband. Years after, she 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 out to others in my hour of sweet serenity and peace.

One of the blessings of a victorious Christian life is knowing the closeness of our Lord in every circumstance of life. Like Annie Hawks, it is so important that we develop strong spiritual lives during the peaceful hours in order that we will be able to be victorious when difficulties come, which they surely will to everyone at some time.

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, in joy or pain;Come quickly and abide, or life is in vain.

I need Thee every hour; teach me Thy will;And Thy rich promises in me fulfill.

I need Thee every hour, most Holy One;O make me Thine indeed, Thou blessèd Son.

Refrain:I need Thee, O I need Thee;Every hour I need Thee;O bless me now, my Savior,I come to Thee.

*For Today*: Psalm 4:1, 119:86; John 15:4 & 5, 16:33; I Corinthians 10:13

Consciously practice walking close to the Saviour each hour so that whether there are times of joy or grief, you can acknowledge His "being there" to meet every need.

Music url: The Cyber HymnalTaken from Amazing Grace -- 366 Inspiring Hymn Stories for Daily Devotions © Copyright 1990 by Kenneth W. Osbeck. Published by Kregel Publications, Grand Rapids, MI. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

I think the reason this hymn is so special to me is that any mommy of several children can relate. Annie Hawks was a real person like me. She wrote this hymn as a young homemaker. She did not fully realize why it ministered to so many souls until later when she lost her husband.
Our calling can sometimes be overwhelming. We need to continually stand back and remember why we are doing what we are doing, catch our breath, and refocus on the goal, ask God to refresh us and give us a new heart.
Women are to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discrete, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the Word of God may not be blasphemed. Titus 2:4-5

When we come to Christ, it is not a “one time” deal and then it’s over. When we’re truly living for and serving Christ, sometimes it is moment by moment. The revelation comes when we see that we are inadequate and then humbly acknowledge our dependence on Him as our only survival. I DO NEED HIM EVERY HOUR…………… REALLY EVERY MOMENT!!!!
~Mrs. Honey Bee~