Abiding

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 "He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty."  Psalm 91:1
Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. John 15:4

    Some of the most beautiful, quotable and comforting passages of Scripture use the word, "abide."  This word may be translated "remain" or "joined" or "united" in your copy of the Bible.  Have you ever started looking into something and gotten so excited you had to share it, even before you feel you fully grasp its meaning?  That is the way I feel as I have looked at the word "abide" in Scripture.  When you combine the Hebrew and the Greek equivalents, the Blue Letter Bible Lexicon tells me that there are well over 200 uses of this term in our Bible.  I think that God has something to tell us! Abiding is a beautiful word, isn't it?  I love the poetic tones it brings to a passage.  However, the meaning behind God's use of this term is even more beautiful. 
    The picture for this word is "spending the night," or "to not depart, " or "to stay very close."  Very simply, God wants us to stay very, very close to Him.  We are not to leave Him.  I picture in my mind my littlest children as we go on a walk in the park.  They love to run ahead of Sam and me.  We allow it for short distance, but we call them back when they begin to wander too far.  Why?  If they are too far away we cannot protect them.  They cannot see us or hear our voices warning them of actual or potential danger. 
     This is the same picture that God gives us in the term "abide."  We are safe and protected when we stay close to Him.  He allows us to run ahead, or stray from the boundaries He sets for us.  What we don't realize is that when we wander too far, we expose ourselves to dangers that we cannot even see.  We can't hear His voice warning us.  He continually calls us back to the shelter of His presence.  His wings are open for us to find shelter and comfort.  We really have no reason to leave.  It is there that we can be most productive for Him.  
    John 15 uses the analogy of the grapevine to picture this idea of "abiding."  He allows us to see that abiding in Christ may mean some pruning, or cutting away of things that will not aid in bearing fruit.  Ultimately, choosing to remain in the vine (Christ Jesus) is the only place of safety and great reward.  I encourage you to read this beautiful passage! 
    So how does a person "abide in Christ?"    I John 3: 24 tells us that a person who is abiding in Christ will keep His commandments.  Don't be scared!  John tells us that His commands are not burdensome! (I John 5:3) How do we know what His commandments are?  Through talking with Him!  He speaks to us through the Holy Scriptures and we can communicate with Him in praise and prayer.  I John 4: 13 tells us that the mark of abiding in Him is the Spirit of God in us.  
    Dig in to His Word!  There are so many amazing, beautiful things to learn about our God and how we can experience the joy and comforts He offers as we ABIDE in Him!  I have only scratched the surface and can't wait to find out more!

💓 Heather Sparks💓
    

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