O Lord, Abide with Me

SH_130504-3373-Edit

Wilting beauty

Change and decay in all around I see—
O Thou who changest not, abide with me.
Lyrics from “Abide with Me” by Henry Francis Lyte

As the years accumulate, and my body struggles to do what once I took for granted, I take comfort and courage in these lyrics from the hymn “Abide with Me.”

Life without Jesus would be difficult to face, for it would be about what I’ve lost, but praise God—Jesus has risen and conquered decay. Life is not about getting old, but about being redeemed and abiding in my Lord!

Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me. John 15:4

Let all that I am praise the Lord;
with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name.
Let all that I am praise the Lord;
may I never forget the good things he does for me.
He forgives all my sins
and heals all my diseases.
He redeems me from death
and crowns me with love and tender mercies.
He fills my life with good things.
My youth is renewed like the eagle’s! Psalm 103:1-5

The Crown of Life

SH_200501-1579-Edit

Wildflower – Tall Silvercrown

This psalm speaks how it is when I feel close to God.

Let all that I am praise the Lord;
with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name.
Let all that I am praise the Lord;
may I never forget the good things he does for me.
He forgives all my sins
and heals all my diseases.
He redeems me from death
and crowns me with love and tender mercies.
He fills my life with good things.
My youth is renewed like the eagle’s! Psalm 103:1-5

It’s an over the top feeling, and I would like to feel the Lord’s presence all the time, but things happen and I slide back into the mundane and the crown slips off. One day I will bow in His presence and praise will be effortless and constant, but for now I need to remind myself and meditate on how good life is with my Lord.

I hope the scripture and photo help lift you into His presence this day to receive the crown of God’s love and mercy.