ABIDE WITH ME

ABIDE WITH ME

READ:
Hebrews 13:1-8

Let your conduct be without
covetousness; be content with
such things as you have.  For
He Himself has said, "I will
never leave you nor forsake
you." -Hebrews 13:5

One of the highlights of English football (soccer) each year is the final match of the annual FA Cup Final.  For more than a hundred years, the day has been marked by excitement, festivity, and competition.  But what fascinates me is how the game begins.  It starts with the singing of the traditional hymn "Abide With Me."

At first that struck me as odd.  What does that hymn have to do with football?  As I thought about it, though, I realized that for the follower of Christ it has everything to do with sports, shopping, working, going to school, or anything else we do.  Since there is no corner of our lives that should not be affected by the presence of God, the longing that He would abide with us is actually the most reasonable thing we could desire.  Of course, the presence of our heavenly Father is not something we need to plead for-it is promised to us.  In Hebrews 13:5, we read, "For [God] Himself has said, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you.'"

Not only is God's presence the key to our contentment, but it is also the promise that can give us wisdom, peace, comfort, and strength-no matter where we are or what we are doing. -Bill Crowder

Thank You, Lord, for walking with us every day.
You are our guardian, friend, and guide.
May we sense Your loving presence and always know
that You are close by our side. Amen.
***************************************
Our greatest privilege is to enjoy Christ's presence.

INSIGHT
"Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels" (Hebrews 13:2).  Genesis 18-19 records Abraham's hospitality to three mysterious strangers.  In reality, these were God's messengers sent to judge the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah.  Interestingly, by protecting Lot and his family, these messengers from God provided a greater blessing than they had received from Abraham's hospitality.  Later, in the New Testament, we are told that believers who graciously care for those in need are in fact serving the Lord Jesus Christ Himself (Matthew 25:44-45).  The custom of hospitality is also placed on the list of requirements for Christian leadership (1 Timothy 3:2).  The Greek word translated "hospitality" literally means "to show love to strangers."

Have a blessed day.
God Our Creator's Love Always.
Unity & Peace