hope

I Need Thee Every Hour

/ Gail Johnson / 7 Comments

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest (Matthew 11:28 KJV ).

Multiple songs swirled inside my head when planning this post. But as I thought about the news and social media, this song came to mind. Perhaps the words echo the prayer on your lips.

I Need Thee Every Hour  

Annie Hawks wrote the poem I Need Thee Every Hour in the first-person point of view and addressed a desire to know Jesus personally. I like that because the words become my own when I read them.

Withholding nothing, she honestly shared her struggles. But she didn’t stop there. She added the answer to all hardships. Knowing Jesus intimately can make a difference in life.

Dr. Robert Lowry, pastor and hymnist added the refrain while writing the music. It is also a prayer for the Lord to draw near and comfort the petitioner.

I need Thee ev’ry hour,
Most gracious Lord;
No tender voice like Thine
Can peace afford.

Refrain:
I need Thee, oh, I need Thee;
Ev’ry hour I need Thee;
Oh, bless me now, my Savior,
I come to Thee.

I need Thee ev’ry hour,
Stay Thou nearby;
Temptations lose their pow’r
When Thou art nigh. [Refrain]

I need Thee ev’ry hour,
In joy or pain;
Come quickly and abide,
Or life is vain. [Refrain]

I need Thee ev’ry hour,
Teach me Thy will;
And Thy rich promises
In me fulfill. [Refrain]

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Great Things

/ Gail Johnson / 20 Comments

The LORD hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad (Psalm 126:3).

After two months of changes, I can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel. I’m so thankful for the peace of autumn mornings.

This past weekend I prayed for strength. You know what? The Lord answered my prayer. He filled me with His joy. I can see the colors of autumn as they are meant to be seen. With a heart full of thanksgiving.

To celebrate all the good things (Not circumstances.) the Lord has done for us, I made a loaf of banana bread and a batch of apple butter.

How are you celebrating the goodness of God in your life? What do you see when looking at the seasonal changes? Take time to relax, let go, and celebrate. The Lord has done great things. Just look around you!

Recall to Mind

/ Gail Johnson / 16 Comments

And I said, My strength and my hope

Is perished from the LORD:

Remembering mine affliction and my misery,

The wormwood and the gall.

My soul hath them still in remembrance,

And is humbled in me.

This I recall to my mind,

Therefore have I hope.

It is of the LORD’s mercies that we are not consumed,

Because his compassions fail not.

They are new every morning:

Great is thy faithfulness.

The LORD is my portion, saith my soul:

Therefore will I hope in him.

Jeremiah 3:18-24

Still in remembrance

We have no trouble remembering hard times. A memorial of the incident leaps to mind when something terrible happens, bringing back all the emotions we experienced at that time. This is like… I remember when…

Jeremiah remembered his hard times.

But then, something happens. He writes, “This I recall to my mind.”

Recall to Mind

The word recall is a synonym for remembering. Now, I’m no expert, but these two words work differently in my thinking, especially in the spiritual context.

To recall is an intentional act. We mentally run through our files, pulling out the needed memory to bolster our failing hope.

Jeremiah intentionally focused on God and his mercies. His compassions. His faithfulness.

We can’t erase the hard times or the memories that come with them. But we can intentionally recall God’s unfailing love and His faithfulness to us.

On the other hand, the antonym for recall is forget. How easily we forget God’s faithfulness and His blessings during stormy seasons. The writer of Hebrews encourages us not to forget, but to recall!

Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering: (for he is faithful that promised;) Hebrews 10:23

Great Is Thy Faithfulness

Most people know the first verse and the chorus to the following song. I want to share the last two verses with you. And if you have the time, the video is well worth the listen. CeCe Winans is one of my all-time favorite gospel singers.

2. Summer and winter, and springtime and harvest,

Sun, moon, and stars in their courses above,

Join with all nature in manifold witness

To thy great faithfulness, mercy, and love.

3. Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth,

Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide,

Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,

Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!

Thomas O. Chisholm

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