Abide With Me
Henry Lyte wore out when he was
54 years old, an obscure pastor
who laboured for 23 years in a
poor church in Devonshire England.
This hymn was written shortly
before his death in 1847, was
inspired by Psa 27:4 & the words
of the two disciples met by Jesus
on the road to Emmaus: Stay the
night with us, since it’s getting late.
It was eventide for Lyte and he felt
very much alone. But he was not
alone; for the Lord is “the help of the
helpless”, our guide & security. And
He will never leave nor forsake us.
Lord, Abide with me as I Come:
The one thing I ask of the Lord,
the thing I seek most – is to live
in the house of the Lord all the
days of my life, delighting in the
Lord’s perfections and meditating
in His Temple. For He will conceal
me there when troubles come;
He will hide me in His sanctuary.
He will place me out of reach
on a high rock (Ps 27:3-4).
I would have lost heart, unless
I had believed that I would see
the goodness of the Lord… Wait
on the Lord; Be of good courage,
And He shall strengthen Your heart.
Wait I say on the Lord (v13-14).
Lord, help us to see the truth in
Your Word. You are our light and
salvation. You are our protector
from danger and from evil. Indeed
the Lord is the strength of my life,
of whom shall I be afraid? Father,
help me draw close to You and to
rest in the confidence I have in You.
Help me to defeat fear in my life
even as I put my trust in You. Amen
Lord, I listen with an attitude Your
goodness will show up in my life.
Grateful Yr goodness is not theory
but real and expect to see it more.
But Lord, holding on to faith in
tough situations requires fortitude.
So give me patience and courage
to hear You amidst the struggles
and pauses in our dialogues. And
Surely Help comes to the helpless
who Looks to You Lord. Amen.
Lord, 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.
Lord, I need Thy presence
every passing hour.
Shine through the gloom
and point me to the skies.
Heaven’s morning breaks
and earth’s vain shadows flee.
In life, in death, O Lord,
abide with me. Amen.