Tag Archive for: Psalms 34:17

Every Hour, I Need Him

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Psalms 34:17 – The Lord hears His people when they call to Him for help. He rescues them from all their troubles.

Some days, even your own shoes feel too heavy.

That was me not long ago, dragging through the morning like I was wading through syrup. I wasn’t falling apart in some dramatic way—it was just the small stuff that piles up. Bills. Work. Loneliness. The creeping fear that maybe this is all life will ever be.

I sat in the car before heading inside, gripping the steering wheel like it might hold me together. I was praying, but not really. I was mostly just breathing.

Then, over the hum of my car’s speakers, Matt Maher’s song started: “Lord, I need You, oh, I need You; every hour I need You.”

Inside, my heart felt flooded with peace. I didn’t say anything. I just let the words wash over me, like water for my soul. I knew God was doing for my heart what I couldn’t.

Later, I looked up the story behind that song. Turns out, Maher had been asked to write something for a worship conference. He said the only way he could do it was by starting with what he himself needed.

So he sat down, thinking of old hymns and books read from C.S. Lewis, and out came that prayer of desperation set to melody. “Lord, I need You” was born from weakness.

That’s me. That’s us. Weak people, whispering weak prayers, and somehow finding strength to make it through one more hour.

And maybe that’s enough. Maybe that’s the point.

Because every hour, I need Him. And every hour, He’s already there.

 

A MOMENT TO REFLECT

  • When was the last time you felt too weary to pray—and how did God meet you anyway?
  • What small, quiet ways has God reminded you of His presence when life feels heavy?
  • How might weakness actually draw you closer to Him, rather than push you away?
  • Is there a song, verse, or memory that helps you remember you are never alone?

Lyrics

Lord I come, I confess
Bowing here, I find my rest
Without You, I fall apart
You’re the one that guides my heart

Lord, I need You, oh, I need You
Every hour, I need You
My one defense, my righteousness
Oh God, how I need You

Where sin runs deep, Your grace is more
Where grace is found is where You are
And where You are, Lord, I am free
Holiness is Christ in me

Lord, I need You, oh, I need You
Every hour, I need You
My one defense, my righteousness
Oh God, how I need You

So teach my song to rise to You
When temptation comes my way
And when I cannot stand, I’ll fall on You
Jesus, You’re my hope and stay

Lord, I need You, oh, I need You
Every hour, I need You
My one defense, my righteousness
Oh God, how I need You
You’re my one defense, my righteousness
Oh God, how I need You

My one defense, my righteousness
Oh God, how I need You

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Feeling Seen by God

“When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles.”

Psalms 34:17

It was not the peanut butter that broke her—it was everything it represented.

You see, Penny was a single mom who had always done her best to hold things together for her daughters. One evening, her youngest asked, “Mom, it has been a while since we’ve had any peanut butter. Could we get some?”

Penny’s heart broke. She assured her daughter she would try, but deep down, she wondered how she could afford it. Later that night Penny sunk into the couch and poured her heart out to God in prayer. She cried herself to sleep that night, burdened by stress and shame.

The next day, Penny went about her routine, delivering food on her Meals on Wheels route. At one of her stops, an older woman greeted her warmly and held out a jar.

“Sweetheart, they gave me this peanut butter in my delivery yesterday. I can’t eat it anymore, but I thought maybe your girls would like it.”

Penny could hardly speak as she stared at the jar in her hands. Tears welled up as she realized that God had answered her prayer.

In that moment, she felt seen—completely and unmistakably seen by God.

So today, if you are carrying a burden that is too heavy to bear, take a moment to bring your need to God. Trust that His love for you is more personal than you know, and He is ready meet your needs in ways that might surprise you.

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