ListenDaily - 16 May 2009: Abide
Where the New International Version of the Bible uses the words 'remain' or 'hold to', the New King James Version often uses 'abide'. The thrust of the meaning, I believe, stays the same when used in context.
But I just like the word 'abide'.
To define 'abide', the dictionary uses phrases like: "to wait for", "to endure", "to remain stable", "to continue in a place", "to conform or acquiesce to", "to live in". As we have studied John 8: 31-32; “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” I have become intrigued with the idea of abiding. Jesus taught repeatedly about this idea. He talked about abiding in Him, abiding in His Word, abiding forever, not abiding in darkness, abiding with His Holy Spirit, abiding in the vine, His Word abiding in us, and abiding in His love.
So then, what might it mean to wait for Christ, to endure with Him, to remain stable in and because of Him, and to continue in Him? What would it mean to conform to Him, acquiesce to Him, to live in Him?
Abide.
Let's take a few days and look at Jesus words about abiding.
Let us abide in those words.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Questions:
1. What does 'abiding' mean to you? 2. How does 'abiding by' compare to 'abiding in'? 3. Do you have any questions?
INTERESTING THOUGHT:
Abide With Me
Abide with me; fast falls the eventide;
The darkness deepens; Lord with me abide.
When other helpers fail and comforts flee,
Help of the helpless, O abide with me.
Swift to its close ebbs out life’s little day;
Earth’s joys grow dim; its glories pass away;
Change and decay in all around I see;
O Thou who changest not, abide with me.
Not a brief glance I beg, a passing word;
But as Thou dwell’st with Thy disciples, Lord,
Familiar, condescending, patient, free.
Come not to sojourn, but abide with me.
Come not in terrors, as the King of kings,
But kind and good, with healing in Thy wings,
Tears for all woes, a heart for every plea—
Come, Friend of sinners, and thus bide with me.
Thou on my head in early youth didst smile;
And, though rebellious and perverse meanwhile,
Thou hast not left me, oft as I left Thee,
On to the close, O Lord, abide with me.
I need Thy presence every passing hour.
What but Thy grace can foil the tempter’s power?
Who, like Thyself, my guide and stay can be?
Through cloud and sunshine, Lord, abide with me.
I fear no foe, with Thee at hand to bless;
Ills have no weight, and tears no bitterness.
Where is death’s sting? Where, grave, thy victory?
I triumph still, if Thou abide with me.
Hold Thou Thy cross before my closing eyes;
Shine through the gloom and point me to the skies.
Heaven’s morning breaks, and earth’s vain shadows flee;
In life, in death, O Lord, abide with me.
Henry F. Lyte
No comments:
Post a Comment