Off & Running

30. I Need You

Have you ever found that the simple words of a song or hymn that pops into your mind, can speak volumes and encourage you? Today I woke with a very old hymn playing over in my mind and I don't think it was by accident:

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!
O bless me now, my Saviour,
I come to Thee.

I need Thee every hour,
Stay Thou near by;
Temptations lose their power,
When Thou art nigh.
I need Thee, O I need Thee;
Every hour I need Thee!
O bless me now, my Saviour,
I come to Thee.

I need Thee every hour,
In joy or pain;
Come quickly and abide,
Or life is vain.
I need Thee, O I need Thee;
Every hour I need Thee!
O bless me now, my Saviour,
I come to Thee.
(D. Wagner/ R. Lowry)

We need to be constantly aware of our Lord's presence and of our great need for Him in everything we are doing throughout the day. It isn't enough to start the day in prayer and then rush off to work or school and forget about Him until you're going to bed or get into some sort of trouble! God wants a relationship with us and as you know, with any kind of relationship, there must be communication!

Have a close look at your day and ask, how much time do I spend talking to God? Do I go to Him for that wonderful peace, in times of temptation, joy or pain? What a difference it would make if we took God at His Word, remembering the many times He encourages us to go to Him in prayer:

"And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord's people."
‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭6:18‬ ‭NIV‬‬

"and call on me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor me.""
‭‭Psalm‬ ‭50:15‬ ‭NIV‬‬

""Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭11:28‬ ‭NIV‬‬

"And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus."
‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4:19‬ ‭NIV‬‬

"And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work."
‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭9:8‬ ‭NIV‬‬

""So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you."
‭‭Luke‬ ‭11:9‬ ‭NIV‬‬

""I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing."
‭‭John‬ ‭15:5‬ ‭NIV‬‬

"Do not withhold your mercy from me, Lord; may your love and faithfulness always protect me. For troubles without number surround me; my sins have overtaken me, and I cannot see. They are more than the hairs of my head, and my heart fails within me. Be pleased to save me, Lord; come quickly, Lord, to help me."
‭‭Psalm‬ ‭40:11-13‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Pray:

Heavenly Father,

Thank You so much that You invite me to come to You on all occasions with any need or request I have. I am so blessed that You hear me, take my burdens and want me to enjoy rest that comes when I trust in You. Thank You for loving me and opening the door every time I knock. Thank You for blessing me abundantly even in this past day! You are never too busy to hear me. Your love and faithfulness protect me in every situation! I choose to remain in You so I can bear much fruit for You today.

I need Thee, O I need Thee;
Every hour I need Thee!
O bless me now, my Saviour,
I come to Thee.

Amen.