HELEN SANDERS
12-14-2025
ABIDING

When you think of abiding, it reminds me of two peas in a pod. They are so close together that eventually they even look alike!

Jesus wants us to become like that with Him. He wants us to spend so much time with Him that eventually we sound and look like He does.

As Psalm 91:1 says, “He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the almighty.” The word abide means to stay permanently, to dwell, to remain. It is not an occasional visit. You dwell in the presence of the Lord.

Abiding takes time. It takes sacrifice. You cannot be half-way with abiding; you must make a commitment to go all the way to the end.

As we draw closer to the Lord in times of prayer and praise, we receive all that we will ever need as Christians. The Lord blesses those that spend time with him; those that take time to hear what He has to say. They are the ones that sit at his feet like Mary of old did, taking in all we can. You cannot have a “Martha” attitude and expect to hear from God.

In Luke 10:38-42 we see Jesus visited the home of Lazarus, Mary, and Martha. Martha received him into the house and got busy with preparing something to eat. Mary, on the other hand took the time to sit at His feet and listen to what He had to say. Martha got irritated with her sister Mary, because she was doing the work while Mary was sitting and listening, and asked Jesus to tell Mary to help her.

Jesus did not respond to Martha the way that she hoped He would. He rebuked Martha in a loving way. He told her that Mary had the right attitude when she chose to sit at his feet and listen to his words. Martha was more involved in pleasing Jesus with works.

You can be sure that life and its burdens will always be there, but taking time with Jesus when he bids you to come to Him is more important. Mary abided, while Martha was divided in her time.

When you take time to abide in the Lord’s presence, your day will go a lot better. Do not forsake that time for anything. The work will be there when you finish spending time with the Lord, and you will leave refreshed by having been in his presence.