I need Thee, oh, I need Thee;
Every hour I need Thee;
Oh, bless me now, my Savior,
I come to Thee.
I Need Thee Every Hour
By: Annie S. Hawks, 1836-1911 (1872)
Listen to this beautiful piano version as you read, or watch the video then read. Please be sure to experience the worship-cultivating podcast below.
As we close out these six weeks of meditating on this great hymn text, we take it home with a sincere cry for God to bless us. We come to Him because we know we need Him. We acknowledge that one last time together. Let’s think about this.
Supply
What a bold prayer! An emphatic “bless me now my Savior”. Not only bless me, but now.
On what grounds would someone approach God so boldly? The grounds that Scripture declares He has already made the provision of our need available to us. Are you bold enough to ask for this blessing?
And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19 ESV
Did you notice where the supply for the blessing comes from? God’s riches in glory in Christ Jesus. This might tempt you to believe that the supply will only be eventual, when we arrive in glory. But it seems clear this Scripture speaks of a needs more immediate.
The other amazing thing is the extent of God’s supply. It does not say God will meet most of your needs does it? No, it says He will supply every need of yours. How wonderful and generous is that? Think on that for just a moment.
But one more thing to consider. The person of Jesus Christ. The Father provides out of His riches in Christ Jesus. The provision finds its source in Christ. Jesus is the source and the conduit of the blessing. He is the blesser and the One who delivers the blessing. And He is the One who makes us aware our need in the first place, and then prompts us to reach out for it.
So when was the last time you asked God to bless you? When did you last cry out to Him and acknowledge your need? This morning? Yesterday? A week ago? Last July? If you will approach with a humble posture confessing your need you can boldly request your blessing. Why wait? Do it now.
Without Demand
We do not have to demand God supply our needs. On the contrary, He has already made the supply available even before we ask.
Yet there is something we have to do. We have to come to Him. We need to act on His invitation to come.
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28 ESV
Seems pretty straightforward and an incredible offer. So why do not more people come? Many reasons.
- They think they will have to give up more than they gain. FALSE.
- They think they have to get their act together before they come. FALSE
- They are not convinced Jesus invitation is for them. FALSE
- They are not sure they qualify, if they are weary or burdened enough. FALSE
Do any of these reasons keep you from coming often, or coming at all? Jesus is ready to give you rest. He has already made it available to you. There is nothing more you need to do that receive it, by coming to Him as you are.
Where does your journey begin? The same place this hymn did. Acknowledging you need God.
Where do many who started get lost? Forgetting they continually need God.
Is there an area of your life that you say you have surrendered to God, but you keep trying to control? You may lack rest because you are still striving. Decide today to come to Jesus, with all your stuff, and sit it down at His feet and then take a seat as well. Ask Him to show you if you have been habitually carrying something around which is robbing you of His promised rest. If He reveals something, lay it down and find rest today. Then repeat that exercise rest seems elusive. It’s one way to practice your need of God.
Jesus, thank You for providing rest for me. Amen.
Purposeful Thinking!
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Everyone enjoy this podcast and transcript below! It features meditative music and moments to contemplate the Scriptures and reflections shared.
Podcast 11.6 Transcript
Welcome to Thursday Thoughts at Resonant 7, where we reflect on the reality of God and resolve to let it resound in our lives, repeatedly. Let’s think about this.
I need Thee, oh, I need Thee;
Luke 21:36 ESV
But stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.”
We must be alert and awake to two things, our need and God’s ability to provide. We must pray for the strength to escape the things that would undo us, that we might stand before our God. Pray today for the strength to endure, and the grace to stand.
Every hour I need Thee;
Matthew 24:44 ESV
Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.
We must be ready for that hour when Jesus returns. Part of the way we do that is by living every hour prepared for His return, not planning to get ready, but actually ready. Are you ready? Ask Jesus to show you if you are or not.
Oh, bless me now, my Savior,
Philippians 4:19 ESV
And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
But there is not only the eventual provision of God for our needs, there is the immediate. He supplies every need according to His riches in glory. Jesus brings them down to us today. Pray for the blessing of hope for tomorrow, and the access to God’s supply today.
I come to Thee.
Matthew 11:28 ESV
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
And here is our greatest need realized, rest. But not just rest from our toil and labor, rest from even the spiritual striving. Jesus offers us that rest but we must receive it. Ask Him to meet your greatest need as you learn to rest in Him again today.
Take a few moments to talk to Jesus about what has come to your mind, or listen to what He is saying to you, then I will read our text once more.
I need Thee, oh, I need Thee;
Every hour I need Thee;
Oh, bless me now, my Savior,
I come to Thee.
Take the mindfulness of God’s presence cultivated in these last few minutes into the next ones and beyond. Until next time, be Resonant.
Image Attributions
Bless Me – https://pixabay.com/photos/person-girl-human-joy-sunset-sun-2806280/
Hand – https://pixabay.com/illustrations/hand-helping-hand-help-assistance-1925875/
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