Abide with Me (Evangelical Lutheran Worship 629)
1 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, oh, abide with me.
2 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.
3 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, oh, abide with me.
4 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!
5 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.
Text: Henry F. Lyte; Music: William H. Monk; Public Domain
Devotion
“When other helpers fail and comforts flee, Help of the helpless, oh, abide with me.”
The words of “Abide with Me” beautifully reflect how God responds to us in moments of uncertainty and fear. When we are searching for God’s presence, and longing for comfort in the midst of life’s many challenges, we hear these powerful words that remind us that we simply need to turn to God as our source of strength and help.
God’s abiding with us is more than just being a part of our everyday lives. To abide means to make one’s home, to be deeply grounded, especially when we feel alone or afraid. We know that there are times when our humanity falls short or disappoints us, but in those moments, God stands firm right beside us, abiding with us in our fears and in our doubts, and walking with us through all the ups and downs.
Prayer
We lift our eyes to you, O God, our Helper and our Comforter. Abide with us in every moment of our lives. Amen.