Just When I Need Him

By:  Donna Martin

At one time in my life I had a talent for singing.  However, over the last few years I have not used that talent like I once did, and so my singing voice is no longer very strong or beautiful.  That made me sad, because I had failed to use my talent, I was losing it.

I decided that I would try to improve my voice, so I told Mike that I wanted to sing something every day.  Yesterday, I sat down at our neglected piano and began playing and singing from the hymnal Mike previously used when he was a music minister.  I was so happy when Mike joined me at the piano.  We spent the next few minutes flipping through the hymnal and singing old favorite hymns.

The last song that we came upon was the old hymn, “Just When I Need Him.”  As we sang through the verses each one spoke to my heart and reminded me of the goodness, faithfulness, and compassion of Jesus. 

The words of the first verse reminded me that when I “falter or fear, Jesus is near ready to help me, ready to cheer.”  Falter means to walk unsteadily or to stumble.  As a child my mother told me to say Psalm 56:3 when I was afraid.  It says, “When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.”  Jesus has and always will be with me even when I stumble and am afraid.

The second verse of the song states, “Giving for burdens, pleasures anew.”  I thought of the times that life looked bleak, my prayers seemed to go unheard, and I felt alone.  As I thought back over my life, I remembered many times that God had provided unexpected pleasures during times when I was burdened.  Sometimes they were small things like a beautiful crisp fall morning.  Other times they were unexpected experiences that our family would never have dreamed possible. Those times were gentle reminders that God was providing what we needed even when life seemed to be falling apart.

The next verse reminded me that “he is bearing my burdens all day long and for all my sorrow Jesus gives me a song.”  I thought of the times in my life when we were experiencing grief and loss, but even in that time, Jesus was comforting us.  Helping us through situations that I would have thought I could never have survived.  And I would not, had it not been for Jesus “bearing my burdens.”

The last verse says, “He is my all, Answering when upon Him I call, tenderly watching lest I should fall.” Isaiah 41:13 says, “For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, ‘Do not fear; I will help you.’”  What a joy and comfort to know that Jesus is always watching and ready to help us up when we fall, just like we are there to help and encourage our own children when they fall or struggle.  Our heavenly Father is watching and helping us. 

And then the comforting chorus:

“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.

I pray that you can find comfort in the words of this song.  Even if your voice is cracking and weak like mine, take time to sing.  Teach hymns and praise songs to your children.  The Bible says, “God inhabits the praises of His people.”  Psalm 22:3.  Perhaps our homes, spouses, and children would be much more peaceful if we followed the instructions of Ephesians 5:19-20 “Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs.  Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

The Martins are available to present “Happy Together” Marriage Enrichment Events for churches and organizations.  To schedule an event call Michael at 940-735-1515. They are certified “Prepare/Enrich” Facilitators and are available to work with couples on an individual basis using the “Prepare/Enrich Assessment.”  They publish a weekly “Happy Together” Blog about family and marriage issues.  You can order copies of their new books Dancing With Death and 366 Tidbits We Have Learned in 14,610 Days of Marriage, read, and subscribe to their “Happy Together” Blog by logging onto the Martin’s website at www.happytogethermarriages.com