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
Abide with Me 1847
By: Henry Francis Lyte (1793-1847)
Listen to this lovely version of this hymn as you prepare to ponder the lyrics. Please make certain to enjoy the podcast below.
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Everyone enjoy this podcast and transcript below! It features meditative music and moments to contemplate the Scriptures and reflections shared.
Transcript may be found below, at the end of the blog.
As we begin our journey through this hymn which encourages us to be amazed at God’s love for us prepare to respond and give Him praise. Let’s think about this.
When…
Not “if”, but “when”.
We are all surrounded by some sort of support network. Some are plentiful and others meager. Still most of us have some sort of help and comfort available when we face dangers and dilemmas. They are a wonderful support to us, until they are not. Sometimes that is a factor of insufficiency and other times unavailability. Either way, no help or comfort is without limit. That is of course with the exception of that which God provides.
On one hand that is a pretty discouraging thought. Others helpers and comforts will fall short.
On the other hand it is incredibly encouraging. God never does, fall short that it.
When other helpers fail and comforts flee
Hide not your face from me. Turn not your servant away in anger, O you who have been my help. Psalm 27:9 ESV
Once we have found any degree of that comfort, there is none other which can satisfy. The Psalmist is crying out for the unparalleled presence of God which can be impaired through our denial of it when we trust in other things. Acknowledge His previous help, and ask for more.
Other helpers will fail, and other comforts will flee, but not so with Jesus. He will never fail. He will never flee. When we cry out to Him we can do so with a confidence that unlike anywhere else we may turn He will never disappoint us. Thank Him for being so reliable.
RESONATE!
Take a few moments and think the hands you have reached out to for help or comfort. Some have failed to reach you or been able to hold on. God never will. Pray the simple prayer, “Jesus, thank You for being so reliable.“
Helpless
We don’t like to admit it, but it is often true. In many ways and many circumstances we are helpless. We face situations that are more than we can handle without some kind of outside intervention.
We are like the poor soul pictured here. They have obviously gone under the surface. Maybe they stayed afloat for awhile but eventually the waves became too much. In the first part of the stanza the darkness of night was referenced with the archaic term “eventide”. Waves of overwhelming scenarios can be as relentless as the those of the ocean.
Think of the last time your helplessness became obvious. What was your first reaction? Find a way out yourself? Or look for assistance? Sometimes we can muddle through and discover some semblance of an escape, but there are still other times when no amount of striving or patience is enough to overcome.
Help of the helpless O abide with me
Cast me not off; forsake me not, O God of my salvation! Psalm 27:9b ESV
In asking for that help it is useful to acknowledge how helpless we are. We often act as though we are self-sufficient, like we need no one and no help, but we do. That pride separates us from God but humility draws us near to His salvation. Ask for His help!
We are helpless. Will you acknowledge that? It is important to own the fact that you need help in order to position yourself to receive it. You are not likely to accept the help of Jesus until you become aware of your need of it. Acknowledge it to Jesus and receive His help today.
RESONATE!
Take a few moments and thank God for being your Help. If we continually look to Him we are never without help, even though we are helpless. In other words, we may be helpless, but never hopeless. Pray this simple prayer, “Jesus, I need Your help.“
Jesus, thank You for being my Help that never fails. Teach to trust in You always and turn to you when others fail and flee. I am helpless, but never without help thanks to You. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Helpful Thinking!
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Podcast 45.1 Transcript
Welcome to Thursday Thoughts at Resonant 7, where we reflect on the reality of God and resolve to let it resound in our lives, repeatedly. Let’s think about this.
Abide with me fast falls the eventide
But they urged him strongly, saying, “Stay with us, for it is toward evening and the day is now far spent.” So he went in to stay with them. Luke 24:29 ESV
Traveling alone in the night was no safer in ancient Israel than in our modern world. His fellow travelers invited Jesus in as would have been their custom to offer Him safety. As we see the night approaching we invite Him because we know we need Him. Invite Him to come.
The darkness deepens Lord with me abide
In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety. Psalm 4:8 ESV
As we feel the darkness pressing we long for comfort and safety. The physical darkness can be accompanied by relational, mental, and spiritual darkness as well, causing that darkness to deepen and thicken. We find relief from the weight of that as we rest in Him.
When other helpers fail and comforts flee
Hide not your face from me. Turn not your servant away in anger, O you who have been my help. Psalm 27:9 ESV
Once we have found any degree of that comfort, there is none other which can satisfy. The Psalmist is crying out for the unparalleled presence of God which can be impaired through our denial of it when we trust in other things. Acknowledge His previous help, and ask for more.
Help of the helpless O abide with me
Cast me not off; forsake me not, O God of my salvation! Psalm 27:9b ESV
In asking for that help it is useful to acknowledge how helpless we are. We often act as though we are self-sufficient, like we need no one and no help, but we do. That pride separates us from God but humility draws us near to His salvation. Ask for His help!
Take a few moments to talk to Jesus about what has come to your mind, or listen to what He is saying to you, then I will read our text once more.
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
Take the mindfulness of God’s presence cultivated in these last few minutes into the next ones and beyond. Until next time,
Be Resonant.
The post Helpless, Yet Never Without Help appeared first on Resonant 7.
Image Attributions
When Other Helpers Fail – https://pixabay.com/illustrations/hands-reach-hand-shaking-humanity-5655424/
Help of the Helpless – https://pixabay.com/illustrations/hand-sea-water-waves-clouds-help-792920/
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