This is part four of a series on the song “Abide with Me.” Click here for part one, part two, and part three.
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.
Henry Francis Lyte, 1847
“Abide with Me” is a song often associated with funerals, memorial ceremonies, and tragedy. Certain lyrics of the song do make it easy to see why one would think of death and dying.
But I love verse three in particular because we sing lyrics that remind us we need God all the time, even in the good times. Words like “every passing hour,” “guide and stay,” “through cloud and sunshine” make us think of all the joyful moments we experience between the valleys. We can invite God to abide with us even when we are rejoicing.
I need Thy presence every passing hour.
What but Thy grace can foil the tempter’s power?
So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.
-Hebrews 4:16 (NLT)
Sin brings a lot of baggage with it, weight for us to carry. In Hebrews, the writer describes sin as a weight that “so easily ensnares us” (12:1). For example, we experience negative emotions, such as shame, guilt, or regret. And there are consequences. Sometimes when we sin, we lie to cover up our sin, and it’s this continuing snowball that must be stopped by something. And that something is God’s grace.
Sin makes us aware of where we fall short, what we cannot seem to accomplish on our own. God’s love shows us who we can be when we accept his grace.
For example, I think of David, a man with too much blood on his hands. He had a temper — he was ready to kill someone who denied giving him food. David committed adultery, then tried to cover it up by having one of his own loyal Mighty Men killed. He left his children undisciplined and the consequences showed in their behaviors later. But yet, David was called a man after God’s own heart. God made a covenant with David that through his seed, there would be an eternal throne. We know that promise is about Jesus.
David could have let his sin take over his heart. But instead he asked God for forgiveness and a clean heart (Pslam 51). When the prophet Nathan confronted David with his sin, David made a choice to accept God’s love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness.
Contrast David’s actions with Judas. Judas was so upset by his own sin and selfishness that he hung himself. Part of abiding with Christ, is receiving what Christ offers us, and one of the things He offers is grace. Grace to relieve us from the weight of sin, and grace that keeps Satan from having a tight grip on us.
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
-I John 1:9
Who, like Thyself, my guide and stay can be?
Through cloud and sunshine, Lord, abide with me.
Not only does God lead us, but he stays with us, as a shepherd stays with his sheep.
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
Psalm 23:1-4
I’m not a shepherd, but as far as I can tell, a shepherd doesn’t lead the sheep to water and then leave it. God is our shepherd because He is with us all the time. He leads us and never leaves us. God is there through cloud and sunshine. But do we acknowledge God in the good times, or just call on Him for help in the bad?
Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray.
Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms.
James 5:13
A Biblical example of rejoicing to God during a cheerful time is Mary. We can read her reaction to learning that she’ll carry the son of God in Luke 1:
And Mary said: “My soul magnifies the Lord, And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior. For He has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant; For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed. For He who is mighty has done great things for me, And holy is His name.”
Luke 1:46-49
Mary is happy and she is praising God for how great He is! She is not focused on herself saying, “Look how lovely I am that God has chosen ME! I am so pure that I am going to carry the son of God!” Instead she’s praising God for all He has done. And in verse 48 says “He has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant.” She is calling herself a humble servant, ready to carry out whatever plan God has for her.
Remember to praise God in the happy times. Acknowledge His presence when we are rejoicing, knowing that it is because of His goodness and not our own.
REFLECTION QUESTIONS
Do you feel like you need God’s presence every passing hour? Practically, what does that look like?
When was the last time you asked for forgiveness and accepted God’s grace?
What ways do you acknowledge God’s presence when you are happy?
PRAYER
Dear God, Thank you for your constant presence in our lives. We need you daily, through cloud and sunshine. Thank you for your grace and forgiveness that relieves the weight of sin from our shoulders. Your mercy is the only reason we have a chance at salvation. Give us the knowledge and wisdom to follow you, our Shepherd. Stay with us as we live this earthly life, and allows us to live with you in Heaven. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
Read next: Abide with Me, I Triumph Still
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