His Presence

by R. Darke, Vancouver, B.C. | Category: General | Jul 1967

Loneliness often brings with it a feeling of despair and helplessness. Even the most mature Christian, when faced unexpectedly with personal tragedy, has felt himself like a little child trying to handle a boat alone in a storm. Yet, strange to say, times like these have inspired some of the loveliest of hymns which have proved to be of great comfort and strength to the people of God. It was after the doctor had pronounced "the death sentence" by telling him that he had an incurable disease, that Henry Francis Lyte wrote his immortal hymn, "Abide with me". One verse reads:

"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, 0 abide with me."

Is there anything to equal the comforting experience of the presence of the Lord in our daily lives? No, is the answer, and it would be the answer, too, of the two disciples on the road to Emmaus, who knew the blessing of Jesus Himself drawing near. Personal tragedy had come into their lives and plunged them into despair. Their beloved Friend had died. During the short time they had known Him, He had filled them with such hope and joy by His mighty deeds and words. Now their hope had turned to despair, and their joy to sorrow, because their Friend had been crucified, and although He had been buried, His body had disappeared from the tomb. It seemed to them as though all their joyous prospects for the future had disappeared too. So with heavy hearts and weary feet they wended their way along the dusty road, and it was then "that Jesus Himself drew near and went with them" (Luke 24.15). It was this timely intervention of His presence which made all the difference to these two disconsolate people. He walked with them, and talked with them, and patiently listened to their plaintive story. Then He spoke to them those wonderful words concerning Himself which told of His sufferings and glory; and the assuring warmth of His presence caused the mist of sorrow and despair to lift, and their hearts glowed within them. No wonder they constrained Him, saying, "Abide with us". They had found their Beloved, and He abode with them, and He ate with them, and they enjoyed the wondrous calm and peace of His blessed presence. May we know, too, a like experience! Midst storm and distress, sorrow and despair, tragedy and tribulation, His promise is still the same, "I will in no wise fail thee, neither will I in any wise forsake thee" (11ebrews 13.5). "My Presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest" (Exodus 33.14), was the promise to Moses, and it carries the same assurance to us today.

R. Darke, Vancouver, B.C. | Jul 1967
General