I Need Thee Every Hour

By Ron Thomas

“What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me--practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you….And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:9, 19 ESV)
    Peace and tranquility in life is very important to each of us. Sometimes, however, it seems to be missing. In Scripture there is a peace from God that is never missing. Paul reminds us of that in the two verses from Philippians 4. We are also reminded of this in the song we sing, “I need thee every hour.” Let us reflect on a few thoughts from the song.
    1) No tender voice like thine can peace afford. There is nothing like the soothing voice of a mother to help when the pain of life is so great it makes one immobile. Jesus’s voice is tender (Matthew 11:28-30), but let us not think it is so tender than He does not demand that we turn from our sins and live righteously (Ephesians 5:17, 17). It is unfortunate that many in this world look upon Jesus as only a tender voice that calls us from despair, and while He is that, I am glad He is certainly that and more.
    2) Temptations lose their power when thou art nigh. When you are tempted, and the temptation is overwhelmingly powerful, to whom do you turn in this time of crisis? Or, perhaps, a better question might be, do you turn away from the temptation? Temptation hits us all differently, but also with a good deal of sameness (if you will). In times of weakness, it is the time when the Lord’s name is not only on our lips, but in our heart. Though we are vulnerable, He is our strength. Sometimes the temptation is so great the ability to withstand seems impossible. Consequently, we just say to ourselves, “I will pay the price later.” The problem is, when later comes, the price is every bit as oppressive as the original temptation. The weight of guilt is oppressive, and those who give in are called to run from the continuing danger in soupy mud two feet thick.
    3) In joy or pain, come quickly and abide or life is vain. There is no person like a Christian who has life laid out in such a way the path is clear. Some who try to live without the Lord can turn to a loved one to help in time of need, but sometimes that loved-one has no answer, no solution to the deep and dark counsels of one’s heart. To who, then, does a non-Christian turn? The Christian turns, and continues to turn to the Lord, for only He can give an answer and solution to most emptiness of life, taking the “vainness” away and giving hope. Sometimes, however, the taking and giving experience can be painful. What will you gain for your pain?
    4) O make me thine indeed, thou blessed Son. God’s love is so great that His Son came to this earth to not only give us relief from sin, but hope to tread our way through this life. More than that, however, He came to give us life, life in Him, in the Father’s Son. “For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ” (Galatians 3:26-27, KJV).
    Does peace flow like a river through your soul? It won’t if the love of God is not center-seat in your heart. It may be a challenge for each of us to find that desired peace, but the peace we should desire is the peace that comes from God, surpassing all understanding.

- Ron Thomas served as preacher and an elder for the Highway Church of Christ, Sullivan, IL, for many years. Currently he is in transition to Chillicothe, OH. He may be contacted at etsop95@gmail.com.