Short devotion: Abide with Me

Ezekiel 37: 27 My dwelling place will be with them; I will be their God, and they will be my people.

 There's an old hymn that we used to sing frequently at funerals in Scotland. It's called "Abide with Me." It was written by a Scottish Anglican cleric, Henry Francis Lyte, who was suffering from tuberculosis which he knew would soon end his life. The song is all about a person who faces sorrow, trouble, and even death, yet in the midst of all these things, God's presence is still there. The songwriter prays that God will be present in his darkest moments and lead him beyond death into everlasting life. The hymn was first sung at Lyte’s own funeral and has been a favorite choice for the funerals of many people in Scotland and other places since then.

 In today’s highlighted Bible verse, the old Hebrew word that Ezekiel uses here for 'dwelling place' also means to abide. The prophet is telling his people, as well as us, that God is always there for us, wherever we are and whatever we are doing. It's a reassuring thought and a sacred gift. It's something that should comfort us. The God who created everything - the moon, the stars, and planets - is always with us; is always concerned about who we are.

 One of the biblical names for Jesus is "Emmanuel" which can be translated "God with us." God is so close to us, there is no room in the word to add "is." This is what it means when God abides with us and makes His dwelling place amongst us. This is also what it means when God calls us His people. In God's reassuring way, He is saying there is no room for anyone or anything else, it’s just Him and all His people. Just you and me and God.

 Point to ponder: How close is God to me right now? How close am I to God?

 Prayer: Lord God, thank You for dwelling where we are. Thank You for being so concerned about our lives that You are willing to make Your dwelling place with us. In all that we seek to do today, abide with us. In Jesus' Name, we pray. Amen.