Over ten years ago, mentally beaten, bashed and bruised by members of my own faith who ran a religious magazine, and hounded by a lying editor, I sought comfort in the words of the hymn, “Abide with Me”

Fickle are the affections of men and women. We feel so often that a smile, a hug, a letter from someone we love can sustain us through the day, a week, a year, but how soon that hug turns to a slap, that smile into a leer and a love letter into a note of rejection!

Such is the fickleness of human relationships.

But the hug of God is everlasting, His words are the same yesterday, today and forever, and his attitude to us, constant, whatever our moods.

And to this God did I turn, asking him again and again to abide with me, to stay with me!

And he did and he does!

‘Abide with me’ says the songwriter, ‘fast falls the eventide’. Oh yes Lord how often the night brings its own set of fears and sadness, for relationships gone sour, friendships gone bust, and bullies turning on you, but when you stay close to me, sadness turns to joy as my heavenly father, heals all bitterness.

‘I fear no foe with thee at hand to bless,” And my thoughts stray to the Jews of old who stood again and again against armies that far outnumbered them, and yet, again and again, they were victorious! They must have been afraid, till they were reminded by their leaders and prophets that there was no need to fear the foe, however mighty or Goliath like he looked, because God was on their side. I have sung that line many times, and seen the power of a mighty victorious God making mincemeat of my opponents.

‘I need Thy presence every passing hour!’ Yes Lord, not for a moment do I not need to hear your footsteps next to mine, not a moment can I bear, not feeling your gentle breath on me. Every second of my journey through life, walk, talk with me my God, and let me feel your divine overwhelming presence in every thought, word, and every action I make.

‘Hold Though Thy cross before my closing eyes!’ Ah the thought, that because of His death, I can close my eyes and know my Lord and Master that I join you in that home you have prepared for me. What better thought before I leave this earth, what better thought than for me to ask, ‘Where is death’s sting, where grave thy victory?’

Thank you Lord, for again and again, bringing this beautiful hymn to my mind to fortify, strengthen, and quieten me.

Because Lord as the last line says, ‘I triumph still if Thou abide with me..!’

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