IT’S FRIDAY. BUT SUNDAY’S COMING! Words of Contentment

You may not have seen it because NBC choose not to show it in their prime time edited coverage.  Instead they broadcast a Ryan Seacrest interview with Gold-medalist swimmer Michael Phelps. 

The London tabloids  took offence at the American “snub” of a hymn that is decidedly British.   It has been the favorite of Kings and Queens.  It is sung before FA Cup Final, Rugby League games and various celebrations. However, I heard one commentator describe the hymn as “dour” indicating that it wasn’t appropriate for the opening ceremony. 

Abide With Me was written by Henry Francis Lyte, who  ministered for 23 years to a small church in little fishing village in Devonshire, England.   In 1844 Henry was diagnosed with TB.  He preached for 3 more years and finally delivered his farewell address on September 4, 1847. 

That very afternoon, after taking a walk on the beach, Henry retired to his room and within an hour had written this famous hymn.  A short time later he died.  William Monk put the words to music, and its was sung for the first time at Lyte’s memorial service.

Abide with Me speaks  to contentment in the face of death.  The kind of contentment Christ expressed in his final words before he died.  “Father into your hands I commend my spirit.” 

“Father.”  How often did Jesus speak of His Father?  At age 12 he recognized the importance of the “Father s business.”  He affirmed during His ministry “I and my Father are one.”  And in His Gethsemane prayer, “Father, I have finished the work you gave me to do.”  He is at peace with the Father.

“Into Your Hands,” He said to the Father. What an irony!  What a contrast!  What a difference!  Jesus had been delivered into the hands of sinful men. Men’s hands had slapped his face.  Beaten and bruised his body.  And nailed him to a cross.  Now it’s over!  Man’s indignity is done! The work is finished!  Now He can be received into the Father’s loving hands.

“I commend My Spirit.”  In these words we hear the Son’s surrender to the Father.  His perfect submission to God.  His uniqueness in this voluntary and vicarious offering.  His eternal security and safety.  His blessed communion and fellowship with the Father.

However, if this was it.  We could only say “a great man died with dignity.”  But this was Friday!  And on Sunday, all of these words–-all seven sayings take on a new meaning.  A special significance.  A personal relevance.

Your see God is our Father.  When we work for him. Live for Him.  And die in Him.  We have peace. Tranquility.  Contentment. We entrust our spirit to His merciful hands.  And commend our Spirit to Him with an eternal hope.  Because of Sunday’s resurrection.

And so, we can bravely, confidently and serenely sing, Abide with Me.

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.

Swift to its close ebbs out life’s little day;
earth’s joys grow dim; its glories pass away;
change and decay in all around I see;
O thou who changest not, abide with me.

I need thy presence every passing hour.
What but thy grace can foil the tempter’s power?
Who, like thyself, my guide and stay can be?
Through cloud and sunshine, Lord, abide with me.

Hold thou thy cross before my closing eyes;
shine through the gloom and point me to the skies.
Heaven’s morning breaks, and earth’s vain shadows flee;
in life, in death, O Lord, abide with me.

–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman