EVENING DEVOTION

OCTOBER 6

 

Luke 24:29

…Abide with us:…

 
The Saviour had accompanied his disciples to Emmaus,

  he had unfolded the Scriptures,

  he had endeared himself to them,

  he made as if he would leave them,

  but they intreated him to remain with them; 

  they said, “Abide with us, for it is toward evening.”
 
Who ever enjoyed the presence of Christ, and did not wish for its continuance?
 
But who, among the Lord’s people, had not had to mourn his absence?
 
He is always present as our keeper, but we do not always enjoy his presence.
 
Let us seek it, if we have it not at present; and let us beseech him to abide with us, if we have.
 
Let us ask him to dwell with us, and open his word to us, and kindle the flame of love in our souls, and sill us with admiring gratitude and joy.
 
He desires us to abide with him, more than we can desire him to abide with us: and it is still true which was spoken of old, “The Lord is with you while ye be with him; if ye seek him he will be found of you.”
 
Beloved, have you enjoyed the Saviour’s presence today?
 
Can you be happy without doing so?
 
His presence is the sweetness and glory of heaven; and his presence is the balm for all our sorrows, and the antidote for all our miseries on earth.
 

Jesus, thy presence I implore,

This blessing now bestow;

With me abide, nor leave me more,

While I remain below.

 
James Smith