Amazing Grace
Annie S. Hawks, 1835–1918
Refrain added by Robert Lowry
In the day of my trouble I will call to You, for You will answer me. (Psalm 86:7)
This deeply personal hymn came from the heart of a busy housewife and mother who had no idea of the spiritual strength that her own hastily written words would bring her later during a sorrowful time in her life.
The author, Annie S. Hawks, has left this account about the writing of her poem in 1872:
One day as a young wife and mother of 37 years of age, I was busy with my regular household tasks. Suddenly, I became filled with the sense of nearness to the Master, and I began to wonder how anyone could ever live without Him, either in joy or pain. Then the words were ushered into my mind and these thoughts took full possession of me.
Sixteen years later, Mrs. Hawks experienced the death of her husband. Years after, she wrote:
I did not understand at first why this hymn had touched the great throbbing heart of humanity. It was not until long after, when the shadow fell over my way, the shadow of a great loss, that I understood something of the comforting power in the words which I had been permitted to give out to others in my hour of sweet serenity and peace.
One of the blessings of a victorious Christian life is knowing the closeness of our Lord in every circumstance of life. Like Annie Hawks, it is so important that we develop strong spiritual lives during the peaceful hours in order that we will be able to be victorious when difficulties come, which they surely will to everyone at some time.
I need Thee every hour, most gracious Lord. No tender voice like Thine can peace afford.
I need Thee every hour; stay Thou near by. Temptations lose their pow’r when Thou art nigh.
I need Thee every hour, in joy or pain. Come quickly, and abide, or life is vain.
I need Thee every hour; teach me Thy will, and Thy rich promises in me fulfillI need Thee every hour, Most Holy One; O make me Thine indeed, Thou blessed Son.
Refrain: I need Thee, O I need Thee; every hour I need Thee! O bless me now, my Savior—I come to Thee!
For Today: Psalm 4:1; 86; John 15:4, 5; 16:33; 1 Corinthians 10:13; Hebrews 4:16
Consciously practice walking close to the Savior each hour so that whether there are times of joy or grief, He will be there to meet every need. Sing as you go meditating on the fact—
Osbeck, K. W.
- Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness: thou hast set me at liberty, when I was in distress: have mercy upon me, and hearken unto my prayer. Psalm 4:1
- Incline thine ear, O Lord, and hear me: for I am poor and needy. Preserve thou my soul, for I am merciful: my God, save thou thy servant, that trusteth in thee. Be merciful unto me, O Lord: for I cry upon thee continually. Rejoice the soul of thy servant: for unto thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul. For thou, lord, art good and merciful, and of great kindness unto all them that call upon thee. Give ear, Lord, unto my prayer, and hearken to the voice of my supplication. In the day of my trouble I will call upon thee: for thou hearest me. Among the gods there is none like thee, O Lord, and there is none that can do like thy works. All nations whom thou hast made, shall come and worship before thee, O Lord, and shall glorify thy Name. For thou art great doest wondrous things: thou art God alone. Teach me thy way, O Lord, and I will walk in thy truth: knit mine heart unto thee, that I may fear thy Name. I will praise thee, O Lord my God, with all mine heart: yea, I will glorify thy Name forever. For great is thy mercy toward me, and thou hast delivered my soul from the lowest grave. O God, the proud are risen against me, and the assemblies of violent men have sought my soul, and have not set thee before them. But thou, O Lord, art a pitiful God and merciful, slow to anger, and great in kindness and truth. Turn unto me, and have mercy upon me: give thy strength unto thy servant, and save the son of thine handmaid. Show a token of thy goodness toward me, that they which hate me, may see it, and be ashamed, because thou, O Lord, hast helped me and comforted me. Psalm 86
- Abide in me, and I in you: as the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine, no more cna ye, except ye abide in me. I am that vine: ye are the branches: he that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me can ye do nothing. John 15:4-5
- John 16:33
- These things have I spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace: in the world ye shall have affliction, but be of good comfort: I have overcome the world. 1 Corinthians 10:13
- Let us therefore go boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:16
warriorprincess4yeshua.blog 