GOD’S WORD FOR APRIL 10 ~ ~ 1 Kings 19:11-12 ~ ~ “Then He said, ‘Go out, and stand on the mountain before the Lord.’ And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice.”
We’re in the classic 1800’s Christian book, “Abide in Christ” by Andrew Murray. One of the best beloved Christian books of all times.
In connection with this message, I know that it suggests many difficult questions to the young believer. There is especially the question, with its various aspects, as to the possibility, in the midst of wearying work and continual distraction, of keeping up, or rather being kept in, the abiding communion. I do not undertake to remove all difficulties; Jesus Christ Himself alone must do this by His Holy Spirit. But what I would gladly, by the grace of God, be permitted to do is to repeat day by day the Master’s blessed command, “Abide in Me.” Until it enters the heart and finds a place there, no more to be forgotten or neglected. I desire that, in the light of Holy Scripture, we would meditate on its meaning until the understanding – that gate to the heart – opens to apprehend something of what it offers and expects. So we will discover the means of its attainment and learn to know what keeps us from it and what can help us to it; so we will feel its claims and be compelled to acknowledge that there can be no true allegiance to our King without simply and heartily accepting this one of his commands as well. So we will gaze on its blessedness until desire is inflamed and the will, with all its energies, is roused to claim and possess the unspeakable blessing.
Come, let us day by day set ourselves at His feet and meditate on this Word of His, with an eye fixed on Him alone. Let us set ourselves in quiet trust before Him, waiting to hear His holy voice – the still, small voice that is mightier than the storm that rends the rocks – breathing its quickening spirit within us, as He speaks, “Abide in Me.” The soul that truly hears Jesus Himself speak the Word receives with the Word the power to accept and to hold the blessing He offers.
And may it please You, blessed Savior, indeed, to speak to us; let each of us hear Your blessed voice. May the feeling of our deep need and the faith of Your wondrous love, combined with the sight of the wonderfully blessed life You are waiting to bestow upon us, constrain us to listen and to obey, as often as You speak, “Abide in Me.”
Day by day, let the answer from our heart be:
“Savior, I do abide in You.”