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
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 continue 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.
Change
It is always happening. Things change. Relationships change. Expectations change. Gas prices change.
Frankly, it can be exhausting trying to keep up with it. Sure, some of it is exciting and really enjoyable, but certainly not all of it. It does help when you are the one responsible for the change, or even the one making those decisions, but that is not always the case of course.
What kind of change is part of your life today?
- work
- home
- school
- your family
- your body
- your mind…
It simply is not a matter of whether things will change, but how you will respond. How do you cope with those changes? Even the foundations of the earth and the heavens above are subject to change as referenced by the verse below. But our trust is in the One behind that change.
Change and decay in all around I see
They will perish, but you will remain; they will all wear out like a garment. You will change them like a robe, and they will pass away, Psalm 102:26 ESV
The passing nature of the joys and glories of the earth itself are a parallel to the lesser ones we experience every day. That change and decay are part of the fallen state of the age in which we live, an age that leaves us longer for another one where they do not exist.
As we get older, we become more and more aware of just how feeble our bodies are. We may retard the demise of our flesh but we can not escape it. Some people act as though this is not true but it is an inescapable fact. Can you see these things or have you turned a blind eye?
RESONATE!
Take a few moments and take a quick inventory of the changes you are facing today. Maybe you are fully aware, but maybe you have tried to avoid them. Seeing clearly helps create a thoughtful response. Pray the simple prayer, “Spirit, help me see.“
Changeless
Let’s be honest. It is really difficult for us to comprehend the changeless nature of our God. So consistent are changes in everything around us, to think of One that never changes is not easy for us to comprehend.
He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. That truth provides us a context to cope with all the changes we face. Thanks be to God!
O Thou who changest not abide with me
…but you are the same, and your years have no end. Psalm 102:27 ESV
We long to dwell in the presence of the One who never changes. We look forward to the day when we will enjoy it forever but want a foretaste of it now. We want to learn to live with an ever-increasing awareness of His presence even as we wait for the day when we always will.
When we come to terms with these truths we are left to determine how to deal with them. Our inclination will be to try to cheat them or escape, but a better alternative is to surrender to the One who is over even these processes by learning to live in His presence. What’s your choice?
RESONATE!
Take a few moments and thank God for being your changeless. That is consistency you can count on, stake your life on. Learning to live in His presence daily changes the way you address the changes around you. Pray this simple prayer, “Lord, abide with me.“
Jesus, thank You for being changeless. As I come to know that better every day, teach me to to rest, dwell, and abide in You. There is truly nothing I want more than that. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Changing Thinking!
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Podcast 45.2 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.
Swift to its close ebbs out life’s little day
“O my God,” I say, “take me not away in the midst of my days—you whose years endure throughout all generations!” Psalm 102:24 ESV
God has no expiration date, but we do. One day we will come to ours, and every sunset is a quiet reminder of that truth. Each day comes to an end, sometimes seemingly quickly, and so shall we. Each day our lives are rushing to their end, but our trust is in He who numbers them.
Earth’s joys grow dim its glories pass away
Of old you laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. Psalm 102:25 ESV
The creation is a marvelous reflection of the joys and glories with which God graces our fleeting lives. From the foundations of the earth to the heavens we see a beauty that seems as lasting as the One who made them, but alas they are not. They dim and pass away like us.
Change and decay in all around I see
They will perish, but you will remain; they will all wear out like a garment. You will change them like a robe, and they will pass away, Psalm 102:26 ESV
The passing nature of the joys and glories of the earth itself are a parallel to the lesser ones we experience every day. That change and decay are part of the fallen state of the age in which we live, an age that leaves us longer for another one where they do not exist.
O Thou who changest not abide with me
…but you are the same, and your years have no end. Psalm 102:27 ESV
We long to dwell in the presence of the One who never changes. We look forward to the day when we will enjoy it forever but want a foretaste of it now. We want to learn to live with an ever-increasing awareness of His presence even as we wait for the day when we always will.
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, with the refrain
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
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 Resting in the Changeless One Through All the Changes appeared first on Resonant 7.
Image Attributions
Change and decay – https://pixabay.com/illustrations/white-male-3d-model-isolated-3d-1874779/
Abide with me – https://pixabay.com/illustrations/white-male-3d-model-isolated-3d-1874786/
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