His Presence is the Hand that Wipes Away Tears

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

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 video below.

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Please enjoy this video and the transcript below.

Transcript may be found below, at the end of the blog.

As we continue our journey through this hymn in which we plead for the abiding presence of Jesus, ask Him to make Himself known. Let’s tune our hearts.

Hand

What better expression of presence is a handing reaching out to touch? The reassurance that simple gesture can bring is difficult to measure. I person can feel very alone, even in a crowded room, but for the gentle touch of a hand.

How much more is this true when we have some sense of the presence of God in our lives? Though we do not feel the touch of His hand, He is no less present when we sense Him with us. That may be through another person, or simply a quiet confidence that He is near.

Never is this more true than when we are facing some fear. Again, it may not be a physical threat, but emotional, relational, even spiritual, though no less real. It is in those moments we most need reminded of the presence of God.

I fear no foe with Thee at hand to bless

The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? Psalm 27:1 ESV

There are plenty of adversaries that should strike fear in our hearts if the Lord were not on our side, but He is. So, we need not fear any foe with the Lord nearby to bless. He is our light and salvation. The stronghold of our lives. Thank Him for His presence which drives out fear.

There is difference in you having fear and fear having you. There are foes that evoke fear in us, that is until we invoke the presence of God. His presence changes everything. If you have any fear of any foe welcome the presence of God and watch in confidence as it drifts away.

RESONATE!

Take a few moments and consider your fears. We all have them, but they need not have us. God’s presence drives them out. Make this your simple prayer “God, I welcome Your presence.” 

Tears

Do you recall the last time you tasted the saltiness of your tears? We all shed them from time to time. That is universal. What need not be universal is the lingering pain they can represent.

We have a Savior who not only delivers us from our fears, but sometimes even delivers us through them. Sometimes the path through our fears brings ills and the tears that are often associated with them. Jesus gives us a way to deal with them by providing a perspective on them that changes how we feel about them, both their weight and their bitterness.

Transformation is the way of our Lord. Will you bring the the ills and tears to Him? Trust Him to do with them what you never could.

Ills have no weight and tears no bitterness

For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison…2 Corinthians 4:17 ESV

We do suffer ills and shed many tears, but the weight of them is light and the bitterness absent when we see them in comparison to what God is producing in us through them. The key to this perspective is trusting God in the midst of them so you can see them clearly.

Recall some of the ills you have suffered. Remember some of the tears you have shed. Now bring them to the abiding presence of God. The weight of them lightens in the heaviness of His presence, and the bitterness of them turns sweet. Ask Jesus to change your ills and tears.

RESONATE
Take a few moments to recall and remember. Now ask Jesus to do what only He can do with them. He may not remove them but He will change them. Pray a simple prayer like this one, “Jesus, transform my ills and tears.”  

Jesus, thank You for Your presence. I can face my foes with courage with You. I can carry the ills I have experienced because they are not so heavy with Your help. I can experience abiding joy on the other side of pain with Your presence. In Jesus’ name. 

Restful Tuning!

Keep coming back, and we will work to help you remove the things that may hinder your longing for His return by cultivating an awareness of God’s presence. We will help you tune your heart to live out your worship by providing resources like this to help you acknowledge the greatness of God as you become more Resonant, 7 days a week.

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Video 45.4 Transcript

Welcome to Tuesday Tunings at Resonant 7, where we reflect on the reality of God and resolve to let it resound in our lives, repeatedly. Let’s tune our hearts.

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

There is difference in you having fear and fear having you. There are foes that evoke fear in us, that is until we invoke the presence of God. His presence changes everything. If you have any fear of any foe welcome the presence of God and watch in confidence as it drifts away.

God, I welcome Your presence.

Recall some of the ills you have suffered. Remember some of the tears you have shed. Now bring them to the abiding presence of God. The weight of them lightens in the heaviness of His presence, and the bitterness of them turns sweet. Ask Jesus to change your ills and tears.

Jesus, transform my ills and tears.

The Holy Spirit allows us to see beyond the painful sting of death and the fleeting victory of the grave as He reveals to us the breathless wonder of the resurrection. Though we may even die, we will live again as the Breath of God breathes life into our souls. Thank Him for that.

Spirit, thank You for life.

We are more than conquerors through Him who loved us, Romans 8:37. There is no better expression of that love than giving us the presence that allows us to overcome all things, even death. This is the ultimate, eternal victory. Give praise to Jesus for His overcoming presence.

Jesus, I praise You for Your overcoming presence.

Take a few moments to talk to Jesus about what has surfaced in your heart, or just listen to what He is saying to you, then we will sing once more.

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

Take the awareness of God’s presence cultivated in these last few minutes into the next ones and beyond.  Until next time, Be Resonant.

The post His Presence is the Hand that Wipes Away Tears appeared first on Resonant 7.

Image Attributions
Thee at hand to bless – https://pixabay.com/vectors/hand-part-reaching-touch-fingers-28964/
Tears no bitterness – https://pixabay.com/vectors/drops-eye-tears-tear-drop-157364/