“The Lord replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” Exodus 33:14
Abide With Me
By Shannon Pederson
Henry Francis Lyte, lyricist of "Abide with Me", and his wife, Ann, were pastors in a little fishing town in England. Although Henry suffered from tuberculosis, he worked tirelessly ministering to his parish, providing for his family, and writing poems and hymns.
On September 4, 1847, at the age of 54, he stood in the pulpit for the last time to deliver his farewell message to his congregation. That same afternoon, after taking a walk on the beach, Henry retired to his room. He emerged about an hour later with a written copy of Abide With Me.
He left soon after for a trip to Italy, to get away from the cold, damp coastal weather. While en route to his destination, he mailed a revised copy of Abide With Me to his wife. A few days later while resting in a hotel on the French Riviera, Henry went home to be with Jesus. A fellow clergyman who was with Henry during his final hours reported that Henry's last words were Peace! Joy!
The hymn is a prayer for God to remain present with the speaker throughout life, through trials, and through death. The opening line alludes to Luke 24:29, "Abide with us: for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent.”
The hymn is popular across many denominations, and was said to be a favorite of King George V and Mahatma Gandhi. It is also often sung at Christian funerals. In the aftermath of the sinking of the RMS Titanic, survivors reported that the Titanic's band played the hymn as the ship was sinking.
As He often does, God took the sad ending of a life and made something lasting and beautiful
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.
“We have come to know and have believed the love which God has for us. God is love, and the one who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.” 1 John 4:16
Abide With Me
By Shannon Pederson
Henry Francis Lyte, lyricist of "Abide with Me", and his wife, Ann, were pastors in a little fishing town in England. Although Henry suffered from tuberculosis, he worked tirelessly ministering to his parish, providing for his family, and writing poems and hymns.
On September 4, 1847, at the age of 54, he stood in the pulpit for the last time to deliver his farewell message to his congregation. That same afternoon, after taking a walk on the beach, Henry retired to his room. He emerged about an hour later with a written copy of Abide With Me.
He left soon after for a trip to Italy, to get away from the cold, damp coastal weather. While en route to his destination, he mailed a revised copy of Abide With Me to his wife. A few days later while resting in a hotel on the French Riviera, Henry went home to be with Jesus. A fellow clergyman who was with Henry during his final hours reported that Henry's last words were Peace! Joy!
The hymn is a prayer for God to remain present with the speaker throughout life, through trials, and through death. The opening line alludes to Luke 24:29, "Abide with us: for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent.”
The hymn is popular across many denominations, and was said to be a favorite of King George V and Mahatma Gandhi. It is also often sung at Christian funerals. In the aftermath of the sinking of the RMS Titanic, survivors reported that the Titanic's band played the hymn as the ship was sinking.
As He often does, God took the sad ending of a life and made something lasting and beautiful
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.
“We have come to know and have believed the love which God has for us. God is love, and the one who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.” 1 John 4:16