"God Pause Daily Devotionals" The Luther Seminary in Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States for Saturday, 18 June 2016 "Abide with Me" (ELW 629, Verse 1)
1. 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, oh, abide with me.
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I remember singing this hymn at a Christmas concert while I was in college. It didn't occur to me until later that this hymn is more often sung at funerals than on any occasion associated with the Christmas holiday. Why would we sing it for Christmas?
In the birth of Jesus, of course, rested not only our salvation but also our judgment. All of humanity's fumbling towards heaven was, in the end, for naught. The Son of God became man because there was no way that we would get back to God on our own. The realities of life remind us that God knows what it means to be as helpless as an infant boy. It is this God who walks with you from birth to death and into eternal life.
Father, thank you for your steadfast love. I know I turn from you to grasp at straws all too often. Thank you for having more faith in me then I in you. Amen.
Chris Enstad
Pastor, Elim Lutheran Church, Robbinsdale, Minn.
Master of Divinity, 2000
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