Abide with Me

1 John 4:15 Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God.

Just before bedtime every night Cuffy cat likes to cuddle as the above photo shows. It is a ritual that is repeated every evening, just like clockwork, as Cuffy very much desires and seeks this human interaction. In a like manner Christians increasingly desire and covet having Jesus abide with them as they enter the evening time of their lives. Earth’s joys grow dim and its glories pass away as this great hymn states, and Christians need the presence of the LORD as time flies away.

Praise God that when Christians walk through the eventide of life God is with them to comfort and to abide with them. God’s magnificent grace saves, sanctifies, and glorifies believers as they pass through this temporary world on their journey to their eternal home. Brethren, rest assured that each heartfelt prayer and plea for God to abide with me is fulfilled. Our savior told us in Matthew 28:20 “…….And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Nothing can prevent Christians from arriving safely home to heaven with the Savior by their side. Abide with me; fast falls the eventide; the darkness deepens; Lord with me abide.

Abide with Me
(words by: Henry F Lyte)

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.