ABIDE: To remain or stay somewhere. by Mike Schwiebrt
ABIDE: To remain or stay somewhere.
I was recently reminded of what is often called Billy Graham’s prayer: “Please, Lord, don’t let me do anything today that would destroy all of the years and work I have done in Your Name.”
I love the “Please, Lord…” of this prayer — the confession of dependance and worship. I understand that left to myself, I can and will do things that diminish God’s work. I have way too much evidence from my life proving this true over and over again.
Jesus said in John 15, if we remain (abide in the older English of the King James Version) in Him, He will remain in us. This is the promise that gives me confidence. He will remain in us. We are not left to ourselves.
I live with an acute awareness of my failures. I am often reminded of my struggles and shortcomings. All of us are kinda like that in one way or another. I think we inherited it from Adam. But we have this beautiful promise from our Lord and Savior that if we remain, He will remain.
As part of my prayer routine, I often pray David’s prayer found in Psalm 19:12–14:
“But who can discern their own errors? Forgive my hidden faults. Keep your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me. Then I will be blameless, innocent of great transgression. May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.”
When I read that, I sense the same tightrope that I travel. Others are watching. I want them to see Jesus in my life. I am eager to please God, to be an accurate reflection of love, grace, and truth; yet I am so aware of my potential to displease or disappoint Him.
Although being aware of our frailty is good, we can get so focused on our faults and missteps that we stop focusing on God. That’s not good. Today, I encourage you with the same encouragement I have received.
When I pray, “Father I am so prone to failure I don’t want to mess up. Help me!”
Jesus responds (John 15:3,4,10), “You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, and I will remain in you…If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love…”
This is my word to you today — you are clean already; obey and abide.