I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. — John 15:5
On many occasions, I find myself researching the history behind things. For example, I may want to research why a certain building existed or what a certain group did. I also love to learn how things come about. For example, I often love to read the stories behind some of our favorite hymns, songs, or events that have happened.
One of those stories is that of Annie Sherwood Hawks. In 1872, Hawks was just going about her day doing regular things around her home. She was a homemaker, and I can only imagine her doing many routine things and going through several moments of self-reflection throughout the day. It was during those moments that she said she was struck with the thought of how anyone could live without God, no matter the situation.
As she reflected, she wrote words that Christians, for many years, have sung on repeat. I say repeat because the words are repeated over 20 times if all the verses are sung. Hawks wrote, “I need thee every hour, most gracious Lord, no tender voice like thine, can peace afford.”
In the words of the song, she also writes, “I need thee every hour, in joy or pain, come quickly and abide, or life is vain.” That certainly aligns with the words of Jesus here in John 15. He directly says that apart from him, we can do nothing. Our life is pointless apart from God.
Truly, we all can say with Annie Sherwood Hawks, “I need thee.” Often, we leave off the last two words. We want to say we need God, but so many times, we only want Him when it’s convenient. Our story shouldn’t be one of convenience but rather about how we need God no matter what is happening in our lives. In joy, pain, sickness, or health. In the good times and the bad, we need Him! Without Him, we can do nothing.
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