Abide with us

Abide with us

Luke 24:29

The story behind the hymn “Abide with me” is remarkable. The author of the hymn, Henry Francis Lyte, was an Anglican priest and vicar of All Saints Church in Brixham, England. He was also a published poet and accomplished hymn writer who also penned “Jesus, I My Cross Have Taken” and “Praise, My Soul, the King of Heaven”. For most of his life Lyte suffered from poor health, and he would regularly travel abroad for relief, as was the tradition in that day. Nevertheless, he developed tuberculosis and, at the age of 54, came near to the end of his life. However, there is no clear evidence when he actually wrote this hymn. But assumptions say that Lyte probably wrote the hymn in 1820, and recalled the hymn during the illness that led to his death in 1847. He whispered “Peace and Joy” and lost his breath on September 4, 1847.  Many have a misconception that this hymn should be sung only in the funeral service. But the plea “Abide with me” at the end of each verse tells us the truth that we need God in every stage and condition of life.  Thus the hymn echoes cry of the saints who feel their need of God in each and every moment of their life.

Lyte’s this hymn was based on his sermon he preached on the text of the resurrected Jesus meeting two disciples on the road to Emmaus; at their request "Abide with us: for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent" (KJV) Jesus ate dinner with them (Luke 24:29). He revealed himself to them. In short, he lingered in their presence. The death of Jesus created disappointment, doubt, disillusionment, defeat, discouragement and despondency in the heart of Cleopas and in the other disciple. But when the resurrected Lord agreed to stay with them and revealed Himself to them their despondent hearts had been changed to hearts filled with hope and renewed faith. The presence of the resurrected Lord graciously cleared away the fog of confusion and their broken hearts had been transformed into hearts that were on fire for their Lord!

The half spelled Waterloo war news "Wellington defeated . . ."  under General Wellington against Napoleon on  18, 1815, created fear and despair in the hearts of English people temporarily. The dreadful news was spread across England quickly, throwing the land into despair. The people of England thought the battle was lost. But the cloud of fear, despair and qualm soon lifted from their hearts when the people heard the complete news "Wellington defeated Napoleon." The people’s mood was geared up from tragedy to triumph.

Dear friends, the things that we see, news we hear and the situations that we are going through may create the cloud of disappointment, doubt, disillusionment, defeat, discouragement and despondency in our hearts but be courageous because the living God is with us in every stage and condition of our life. The assurance of His constant presence can lift the cloud of fear, despair and qualm from our hearts. But we need Him to abide with us to protect us from the evil of this world, the temptations of the devil, and the weakness of our own sinful flesh. The days are evil and dangerous therefore we need Him to abide with us every passing hour! Dear friends let us earnestly beseech the Lord to stay with us as the Emmaus disciples beseeched: “Stay with us, Lord, for it is evening, and the day is almost over.”