There are words in the Christian vocabulary that seem archaic, one of which is "abide". As it is used in the Bible, it means staying constantly, or remaining on a continual basis. "Abide" makes me think of an abode, a home, and when I form a mental picture of the sublime scene of abiding in God's presence, I envision a peaceful, holy, and bright experience. This contrasts with my real childhood abode in a suburban neighbourhood in Ottawa, Canada, in a bungalow with my parents, three brothers, a cat, and a guinea pig. It was noisy and busy, and there were squabbles! Not quite the image that we think of as the apostle John wrote of Christians abiding in the Lord!

1 John 2:24 – Therefore let that abide in you which you heard from the beginning. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, you also will abide in the Son and in the Father. (NKJV)

Life in the real world often isn't stable or abiding. When people are in distracting or trying circumstances, they are attracted by novelty; it's ingrained in us. What is new always seems better! When I find life to be messy, I sometimes look around for a new solution, therapy, supplement, or whatever. It's easy to get tossed around "with every wind of doctrine" (Ephesians 4:14). For John's first readers, whose lives were sometimes threatened with persecution and instability, he reminded them that they had heard the teachings of the apostles for themselves, and that they should continue in them. In our day, we have the Scriptures, the words of the apostles, and if we keep meditating on and living by them, it's the best environment for us to be in.

Abiding in the Lord is far more than intellectual knowledge of the Word or simply believing in our Saviour. It is a settled, stable belief that results in trusting God for all that we need and being consistently obedient to His Word. Knowing the Lord's teaching, having a firm commitment to it, and standing fast in our faith helps us to have that life of joy and peace in our noisy world. Abiding in Jesus is an alive and thriving two-way relationship with Him through His living Word. His Word lives continually in us, and we go on living in the Son and in the Father.

Are your surroundings loud, messy, and filled with squabbles at times? Or is your life just noisy and too busy? Give yourself in your heart, mind, and soul to living in Jesus. As His followers, our faith will often be tested, but we can abide in Him because of His love and grace that never change.

I need Thy presence every passing hour;
What but Thy grace can foil the tempter's power?
Who like Thyself my guide and stay can be?
Through cloud and sunshine, oh, abide with me.
       Henry Francis Lyte, 1793-1847

Prayer: Dear Lord, in our busy and often troubled lives and times, we hang on to Your promise, "Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." (John 14:27b NKJV) Thank You for Your never-failing care and presence, and that You are ever here when we return to You. Amen.

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About the author:

Shirley Moulton <shirley_moulton@yahoo.ca>
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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