February 19, 2020 (Wednesday)
Yesterday was National Battery Day and was about batteries as a portable source of power. The discussion brought to mind Paul’s description of the gospel as the “power” of God. When radios first became available to people who lived in rural areas where there was no electrical power, the crude receivers contained several batteries and were very heavy. As time went by, the battery sets were replaced because the power companies finally provided electric power to those areas.
If you are like me, when the power goes off, one of the first things you do is flip the light switch as you enter a room. Then you are embarrassed by having done that. But that minor action shows us how dependent we are on electric power and how much we take it for granted. Many of us have no knowledge of how electric power is generated and distributed. But we make good use of it anyway.
Jesus said, “you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses” (Acts 1:8 NIV). After He ascended to Heaven, the disciples prayed for weeks until all of a sudden one day they were filled with the Holy Spirit and given the power to tell others about Christ. You and I are dependent upon the Holy Spirit to empower us. We dare not take that power for granted. The Lord said to Paul, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:7 NIV).
After a power outage, we are excited when the power is restored. And, at least for a little while, we acknowledge our dependence upon electricity. As Christians, we go through periods of spiritual drought, but when the power of the Holy Spirit is renewed within us, we remember again how important His power is to us. We depend upon the Lord for the power to do His work.
We rightfully sing, “I need Thee, O I need Thee, Every hour I need Thee.” The Lord’s work requires the Lord’s power. Let us freely acknowledge our dependence upon Him in all things.
I NEED THEE EVERY HOUR
Words, Annie S. Hawks
Music, Robert Lowry
1872
Chorus:
I need Thee, oh, I need Thee;
Every hour I need Thee;
Oh, bless me now, my Savior,
I come to Thee.
I need Thee every hour, most gracious Lord;
No tender voice like Thine can peace afford.
Chorus
I need Thee every hour, stay Thou nearby;
Temptations lose their pow’r when Thou art nigh.
Chorus
I need Thee every hour, in joy or pain;
Come quickly and abide, or life is vain.
Chorus
I need Thee every hour; teach me Thy will;
And Thy rich promises in me fulfill.
Chorus
I need Thee every hour, most Holy One;
Oh, make me Thine indeed, Thou blessed Son.
Chorus