Just When I Need Him

God’s timing is always perfect! Yesterday evening and through the wee hours of this morning I was with a family whose teenage daughter committed suicide. Even if you have not personally been touched by a family member or friend who committed suicide, you can certainly imagine all the emotions these parents and the rest of the family are experiencing!

After getting home and catching a couple of hours’ sleep, I started the coffee, jumped in the shower, and then sat down with a mug of coffee, my Bible, and a devotional book, In All Things: 13 Weeks of Devotions from Africa. My friend in South Africa, Shirley Corder, contributed two weeks’ worth of devotionals. (Click to read my review of In All Things.)

Today, I’m in Chapter 13: Peace in Life’s Storms, Day 7: When There’s No Hope (written by my friend Shirley Corder). The focal passage is from Isaiah 43:1-2 (The Message) that ends with When you’re between a rock and a hard place, it won’t be a dead end.”

The devotion concludes with:

Sometimes our lives seem to be surrounded by broken pieces. We can’t see the way through the srotm or crisis … Our faith is not in the big things. It is in God Himself ….

I needed that reminder today. I also needed to remember that in the midst of the struggles, it is God Himself in whom I place my faith and trust. We know He is always with us, although we often aren’t aware of His presence.

Do you know the hymn Just When I Need Him Most? William C. Poole wrote the lyrics and Charles H. Gabriel wrote the tune Gabriel. It is based on two scriptures, And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19), and Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded (James 4:8).

Sing these beautiful lyrics with me:

Just when I need Him, Jesus is near,
Just when I falter, just when I fear;
Ready to help me, ready to cheer,
Just when I need Him most.

Refrain:
Just when I need Him most,
Just when I need Him most,
Jesus is near to comfort and cheer,
Just when I need Him most.

Just when I need Him, Jesus is true,
Never forsaking, all the way through;
Giving for burdens pleasures anew,
Just when I need Him most.

Just when I need Him, Jesus is strong,
Bearing my burdens all the day long;
For all my sorrow giving a song,
Just when I need Him most.

Just when I need Him, He is my all,
Answering when upon Him I call;
Tenderly watching lest I should fall,
Just when I need Him most.

How grateful I am that “Just when I need Him” Jesus is indeed present giving me enabling mercy, grace, and strength. I am also grateful for dear ones whom God uses to write devotionals that point us to Him! And oh my goodness, I love the hymns that the Lord gifted so many men and women through the years to write as they help us focus our hearts and minds on Him, worship Him, and bring great comfort through the biblical truths we sing.