TEXT: PSALM 5
HYMN: BH 334: I
NEED THEE EVERY HOUR
1. 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.
2. I need Thee ev'ry hour,
Stay Thou nearby;
Temptations lose their pow’r
When Thou art nigh. [Refrain]
3. I need Thee ev'ry hour,
In joy or pain;
Come quickly and abide,
Or life is vain. [Refrain]
4. I need Thee ev'ry hour,
Teach me Thy will;
And Thy rich promises
In me fulfill. [Refrain]
In his book,
reaching for the invisible God, Philip Yancey points out that when crisis
comes, we have two choices: fear crisis or fear God. Believe the crisis is
bigger than God or that God is bigger than the crisis.
David, the writer
of this psalm, expressed with confidence his need for God’s help. Though his
crisis is real, he believes that God is bigger than the crisis. His desperation
to get God’s attention can be felt in the plea: “Give ears to my words, O Lord,
consider my sighing. Listen to my cry for help, my king and my God”. The
psalmist adored God because of His holy character, which is in contrast to
people who are evil. He reverenced God through genuine worship, and then asked
for God’s direction. He offered this prayer with confidence, knowing that God
is faithful, merciful, and has always answered the prayers of His people.
Just like the
psalmist, our attitude in the place of prayers must show that we have no other
option besides Him. When we come in faith before God, showing our need of Him
in life’s entire journey, and especially in times of distress, He is ever ready
to hear us and listen to our plea and then show Himself mighty in our
situations, no matter how dire they are. As psalmist sought God early in the
morning, we must also make God priority as we seek Him first thing in the
morning. God wants to be the first port of call in our lives at all times.
PERCEIVE: Putting God first
in one’s life is important.
PONDER: Do you still run
to other sources outside God for help?
PRACTICE: Remove
distractions that block your fellowship with God.
PRAYER: O Lord, keep us
alert at observing our differences and be quick at mending fences. We pray for
the unction to function effectively for all staff members of NBC Headquarters
Ibadan and for protection and provision for them and their families.
Dear Father, help
me to deepen my fellowship with you through regular prayer.
