I Need Thee Every Hour
No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. I Corinthians 10:13 NIV
Oh, temptation. It’s exhausting sometimes. It seems like the same thing is trying to get the same foothold in life from every imaginable angle. It often feels like one of those old cartoons where a character is doing everything possible to keep a little leak from becoming a tidal wave. One hole is filled, but a new one opens up. Realistically, we feel as if we’re managing pretty well with our struggles some days, but other days feel so overwhelming that we just want to throw in the proverbial towel. When today has been extra tough, we don’t even want to think about what tomorrow might bring. But it’s good to remind ourselves that we’re not built to live for tomorrow. God designed us to live for this day—to trust Him for this one day and to draw near to Him especially during those long hours when we feel like giving up.
One of the most powerful ways to face temptation is rather unexpected: It’s simply to stop fighting it. That doesn’t mean to give up and let it overtake us. It means to stop doing the same old thing in our own strength and instead turn to our Maker for a new way through—His way. And His way begins in this moment, with Him. We shift our focus from our problem to His presence; we stop striving and start resting; we slow down to hear the still, small voice calling us to a new way of perceiving an old pattern. He is always here, in every moment, with all we need for a fresh start. The hymn “I Need Thee Every Hour” reminds us that His presence is what we need to seek first. Everything else will follow:
I need Thee every hour -
Sty Thou nearby;
Temptations lose their poer
When Thou art nigh.
Nothing will change if we keep trying to fight old battles the same way. If we want to stop fighting, then we need to draw close to Him and start listening. In those quiet moments, a different way of being will begin to grow. His peace will calm us, His love will fill us, and His assurance will bring us new strength to carry us through our days. The more aware of God’s presence we become, the less power those temptations have in our lives. Sure, it takes time to develop the daily practice of becoming more aware of Him, especially when we feel ourselves getting swept up into old patterns. But the more we lean in, the more we’ll realize what a difference it can make. Need a little reminder to shift your focus when things get tough? Consider choosing a short verse or a bit of His truth to speak to yourself when temptation looms large. Remember: there will always be Someone who’s bigger than anything you’re facing, and He will always be there to lead you through.
Lord, I know that drawing near to You is the most powerful thing we can do each day. The answer to every need I have is found in Your presence. It’s so simple, but I can make it so complicated sometimes. When I’m faced with temptation and try to fight my own battles, I pray that You will give me a gentle reminder to shift my focus to You, to rest in You, and listen for Your voice in my heart. Amen.
This is an excerpt from Blessed Assurance, Jesus is Mine: Old-Time Devotions for Fresh Starts – a devotional available on DaySpring.com. Shop all books, journals, and devotions from DaySpring here.
