I need You Every Hour
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Annie Sherwood Hawks was born in Hoosick, New York, on 28th May 1835. Even from an early age she was writing poetry and, at 14, had some published in a newspaper.
She married at 24, she moved to live in the Brooklyn area of New York, and she and her husband joined the church whose pastor was the noted hymn writer and composer, Dr. Robert S. Lowry.
Dr. Lowry immediately recognized Mrs. Hawks’ talent for writing and encouraged her to use it, often offering her a challenge saying,
"If you'll write the words, I'll write the music."
And he was as good as his word.
Many great hymns were written through trying experiences and afflictions. However, this one came through completely different and happier circumstances.
“I need thee every hour” was written in April 1872, and is thought to have been based on the exhortation in John 15:4-5. This is what it says in the New Living Translation:
Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me.
Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.
(John 15:4-5 NLT)
Shortly before her death, on January 3rd 1918, Mrs. Hawks gave the background story to this great hymn, saying:
“I remember well the circumstances under which I wrote the hymn. It was a bright June day, and I became so filled with the sense of the nearness of my Master that l began to wonder how anyone could live without Him, in either joy or pain. Suddenly, the words I need Thee every hour, flashed into my mind, and very quickly the thought had full possession of me. Seating myself by the open windows, I caught up my pencil and committed the words to paper almost as they are today. A few months later Dr. Robert Lowry composed the tune Need, for my hymn and also added the refrain.
For myself, the hymn, at its writing, was prophetic rather than. expressive of my own experiences, for it was wafted out to the world on the wings of love and joy, instead of under the stress of great personal sorrow, with which it has often been associated.
At first I did not understand why the hymn so greatly touched the throbbing heart of humanity. Years later, however, under the shadow of a great loss, I came to understand something of the comforting power of the words I had been permitted to give out to others in my hours of sweet serenity and peace.”
Here are the words she wrote:
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.
Here, is a rendition of this great hymn, “I need Thee every hour,” by Don Moen with lyrics.
MEMORY VERSE
Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.
(John 15:5 )
QUESTIONS
Are you abiding in Christ every day?
Are you enjoying the peace He gives?
PRAYER TIP
Father, we acknowledge that we are nothing without You. Please help us to remain in You.
CREDITS
McCLELLAND, JAMES. The Stories Behind Great Hymns. (Benin City, Joint Heirs Publications, 2002).
URGENT CALL
Every soul is valuable to God, far more than the entire world! But by nature, we are all sinful, and alienated from God, and we ultimately face his wrath!
God in His mercy and love made a way for us to remedy this. He gives us a chance to reverse this downward spiral to destruction, join His family, be part of His household, and become His children.
The first step to becoming a member of God’s household is for us to be saved.
Salvation comes through accepting Jesus Christ as our Lord and Personal Savior.
It is a very personal decision. No one can make that decision for you.
If you make that decision today, there will be great singing and rejoicing in heaven; because one new member has joined the family and household of God! A soul, much, much more valuable than the world, has been saved from destruction!
Do you want to make that decision today?
Please visit “The Believer’s Prayer” for guidance if you want to make that decision.
Then develop your new relationship with God through your Quiet Time.
Then find a Bible-Believing Church where you can Fellowship with like minded people.
We will be happy to hear from you through the contact information on that page, or the ones at the top of this page. Don’t delay. Make this very personal decision today!
God richly bless you
SPECIAL GRATITUDE
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We thank God for counting us worthy to share in His Great Commission; and we thank you for sticking with us through this journey.
God richly bless you.
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