I Need Thee Every Hour by Annie S. Hawks and Robert Lowery, 1872.

Verse 1

I need thee every hour,
most gracious Lord;
no tender voice like thine
can peace afford.

Refrain
I need thee, O I need thee;
every hour I need thee!
O bless me now, my Savior,
I come to thee.

Observe: We all resonate with this great hymn in our current times of trial. We see apparent unity against the virus, but many look for gain as well. Jeremiah explains. From the least to the greatest of them, everyone is greedy for unjust gain; They have healed the wound of my people lightly, saying, ‘Peace, peace,’ when there is no peace.” (Jeremiah 6:13–14, ESV).

Our confidence cannot be in this world because altruism is always mixed with self-interest, and there can be no peace except in one place. Jesus explains. “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” (John 14:27).

Verse 2

I need thee every hour,
stay thou near by;
temptations lose their power
when thou art nigh. [Refrain]

With his promise of peace, Jesus offered this further assurance. “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. Yet a little while and the world will see me no more, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live.” (John 14:18–19). As living stones (1 Peter 2:5), indwelt by the Spirit, Jesus is always nearby, every hour of every day.

Verse 3 addresses all our times of need.

I need thee every hour, 
in joy or pain;
come quickly, and abide,
or life is vain. [Refrain]

Verse 4 calls us to discipleship. Doctrine is not the result of faith; faith is the result of sound doctrine (Titus 2:1). We are called to be learners (disciples) to strengthen our faith.

I need thee every hour;
teach me thy will,
and thy rich promises
in me fulfill. [Refrain]

Find your assurance today in these great words of truth. Thomas Hobbs rightly observed, the life of man [is] solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short (Leviathan, i. xiii. 9), is not the life we face. At times Hobbs is right, but our hope is in the resurrection of Jesus as the first of what we will soon be.

Blessings, Pastor Don.