A Christian mother was up late one evening recently. She was unhappy and almost desperate. Over the air came the strains of a gospel broadcast. A chorus was singing that beloved old hymn:
"I need Thee every hour,
Most gracious Lord,
No tender voice like Thine
Can peace afford."
Peace? This mother felt no peace. For four months now her husband had been very ill with a failing heart and unable to work. Now tonight to add to her sorrows her precious little daughter was fretfully tossing with a fever. The home was not as warm as it should be. With Father not working, she had been unable to pay the coal bill. The coal company refused to give her any more credit till she did pay what she owed. Today a letter had come from her son in the military forces. He was coming home on leave before being sent to faraway, troubled Malaya. Weary and with none to turn to for comfort, this mother felt she could stand no more.
The chorus sang on:
"I need Thee, O, I need Thee;
Every hour I need Thee!
O bless me now, my Savior,
I come to Thee!"
The distressed mother's voice was joining in the chorus. Her singing was shaky, for tears were close; but the words were a cry from her heart, and the Savior who had saved her was at hand to help even now. He heard her cry for help, and His tender voice afforded peace to her troubled heart. As she tried to sing the precious old words, the floodgates were opened, and she wept freely. Relieved of her pent-up feelings, she was calmed and encouraged.
"I still have my husband," she reminded herself. "Things may be hard because he can't work, but the Lord will take care of us. My little daughter will probably be much better in the morning. Though my boy is being sent to Malaya, I am to have 21 precious days with him before he goes. And the Lord can keep him as safe in Malaya as at home."
The matter of the coal seemed like an impossible mountain just a few minutes ago. Now it wasn't. She sought the Lord for wisdom, and then visited the coal company's office, and arranged to pay, her bill in small payments. And they sent more coal!`'
How quickly all that had seemed; so hopeless was cleared up! She had renewed her trust in the Savior, and He had fulfilled His precious promise.