Abide

Abide

God says that He is our dwelling place, and the Bible contains all the necessary papers, duly attested and signed. And our Lord invites us, nay more, commands us to enter in and abide there. In effect He says, “God is your dwelling place, and you must see to it that you take up your abode there. You must move in.”

Hannah Whitall Smith

I long for intimate fellowship with you. When you accepted the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross for you and invited Me into your life, I became your dwelling place. You have been invited to abide in me with all the protection, wise counsel, and safety that accompany a personal relationship. You might think a relationship like this would take a lot of effort, but that’s not how I’ve designed it.

Abiding in Me can become a natural rhythm of your living and breathing. It is not work that engages your mind during every moment. It is a matter of entrusting yourself to My keeping, accepting My everlasting love, and believing by faith that My holy presence will protect you from the enemy—even during the many everyday moments when you need to be occupied with other things. Your heart can have rest and peace as you settle into the inner comfort of knowing that you have My constant presence.

Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.

John 15:4, ESV