For starters, sheep lack basic faculties for survival, like common sense. They may be the most frail and dependent creatures God made. If they fall, someone else must pick them up. Without a shepherd, they inevitably are lost, and on their own, will die. We probably do not see ourselves like that. Yet despite how we think we are so wonderful on our own, most of us have the deep desire to be led and protected in our hearts. Our Good Shepherd, our Lord Jesus Christ is here to guide, protect, nourish, cleanse and comfort us throughout all of life's travels. No matter what the future holds, we know we are safe if we rest securely in the strong arms of our Beloved Good Shepherd.
The story I picked up to read was of how the old song "I Need Thee Every Hour" came to be written. Annie Hawks at the time of its writing was a 37 year old busy homemaker and mother of three. Early in her life she showed she was a gifted verse writer. Annie realized how even in her "normal" life she needed to spend time with her Savior. One morning she was suddenly filled with the sense of her nearness to the Master and she began to wonder how anyone could ever life without Him, either in joy or pain. Then these words came into her mind:
"I need Thee every hour, in joy or pain;
Come quickly and abide, or life is vain.
I need Thee, O I need Thee; Every hour I need Thee!
O bless me now, my Savior -- I come to Thee!
I need Thee every hour, Most Holy One;
O make me Thine indeed, Thou blessed Son!
I need Thee, O I need Thee; Every hour I need Thee!
O bless me now, my Savior -- I come to Thee!"
She showed the verses to her Pastor who set the verses to music and added the chorus. The hymn appeared in a book of hymns and became well known when D. L. Moody and Ira Sankey used it in their evangelistic campaigns in America and Great Britain. The song blessed many people as they considered their need for the Savior to be with them "every hour." Annie herself barely understood the power of her own words until she faced the difficult days following the death of her husband. She wrote that she did not understand why the hymn touched so many people until the shadow of the loss of her own husband fell across her life. Then she wrote, "I understood something of the comforting power in the words I had been permitted to give out to others in my hour of sweet serenity and peace."
Our churches do not often sing these old songs of our faith as we once did. I enjoy the Scripture choruses and other songs we sing, but also enjoy meditating on truths written in some of these older hymns, also inspired by the Holy Spirit in times of joy or pain. I am so grateful that the Lord has led me to Bible Studies to help me understand eternal truths in God's Word, but also for books that chronicle stories of normal people who were anointed to write lovely verses or songs to inspire and bless us when we need encouragement and blessing.
How I need the presence of my Good Shepherd in my life every day. Without Him I would be very lonely, but with His constant abiding love with me, I can walk in His joy and love, even during these uncertain days. I pray that hearts are open to receive His loving presence with each of you in new ways every day. His Word and Holy Spirit are always new and ready to refresh us every morning. I love the scripture in Lamentations 3:23 that was set to music many years ago. The song "Great is Thy Faithfulness" often speaks to my heart.
It is taken from the words: "It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions do not fail. They are new every morning; great is Thy faithfulness." I pray you will think of these beautiful words when you feel too discouraged to crawl out of bed and begin a new day. His compassions are new every morning, and He is with you, as you open your eyes and ears to see and hear His new and special words of encouragement for you each morning.
My love and prayers to you all,
Dee
