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 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.
Life’s Little Day
As we live each day, the weight of the cares of each can seem overwhelming. Make this phone call. Finish this task. Resolve this conflict, etc. But as we step back and gain a little perspective we begin to see how small those concerns really are.
What are the things are clouding your mind and heart today?
Bills? Relationships? Thoughts?
If we can gain the perspective that even the big things each day are not actually as large as they seem we will be on the right track to prioritizing what really matters. The presence of God and learning to live in it are really the most important things.
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.
If day is life and night is death, the end of the “day” is approaching for each of us. Many choose to live as though they will never die and that leaves them ill-prepared to deal with their end as it comes quickly. Have you come to terms with your mortality? Ask for God’s help.
RESONATE!
Take a few moments and ask Jesus to give you a better perspective than you possess. That will help you deal differently with the things in your little days. Make this your simple prayer “God, help me accept my mortality.”
Joys and Glories
There are some wonderful blessings God brings into our lives. Relationships, achievements, avocations and so much more. As wonderful as each one is they are designed to point us to the Source of all the good things, God.
I love the fall. It is easily my favorite season. Creation takes on different colors, hues and tones this time of year in my part of the world. I truly enjoy the passing beauty of the leaves, knowing they will all be gone soon, or rather in my yard waiting to be cleared away.
What are the joys and glories that are precious to you? Is your heart set on them? Or can you see past them for what they are truly meant to reveal?
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.
As the things of earth grow strangely dim we are faced with two choices. Surrender to an uncertain eternity, or allow the light of Christ’s glory and grace to illuminate the growing darkness. Seems like a simple choice, but many complicate it unnecessarily. How about you?
RESONATE
Take a few moments and consider your choice regarding the joys of earth. Can you see the light they are meant to point us to? Be ready to do so and pray a simple prayer like this one, “Jesus, I welcome Your light.”
Jesus, thank You for the joys and glories of earth and this life. Help me to see past the to the You, their Source. Inform my perspective every day with how little these moments truly are compared to what is to come. In Jesus’ name.
Informed 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 45.2 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.
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
If day is life and night is death, the end of the “day” is approaching for each of us. Many choose to live as though they will never die and that leaves them ill-prepared to deal with their end as it comes quickly. Have you come to terms with your mortality? Ask for God’s help.
God, help me accept my mortality.
As the things of earth grow strangely dim we are faced with two choices. Surrender to an uncertain eternity, or allow the light of Christ’s glory and grace to illuminate the growing darkness. Seems like a simple choice, but many complicate it unnecessarily. How about you?
Jesus, I welcome Your light.
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?
Spirit, help me see.
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?
Lord, abide with me.
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.
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 awareness of God’s presence cultivated in these last few minutes into the next ones and beyond. Until next time, Be Resonant.
The post Yearning for a Beauty Beyond Today appeared first on Resonant 7.
Image Attributions
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Earth’s joys grow dim its glories pass away – https://pixabay.com/illustrations/swing-fall-drawing-people-man-7502838/
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