During the season of Lent, I will be sharing a short post each day as part of the Lent-Photo-a-Day Journey, providing a sort of brief reflection and witness through the journey to and through the cross, to the tomb, and out into the world.

The word designated for March 9th was “Abide.”

Sometimes it is better to let another’s words speak for you. Today, I believe is clearly one of those times. Here is the text of one of my favorite hymn tunes, “Abide with Me.”

“Abide with me, fast falls the eventide. The darkness deepens; Lord, with me abide. When other helpers fail and comforts flee, help of the helpless, oh abide with me.

Swift to its close ebbs out life’s little day; earth’s joys grow dim, its glories pass away; change and decay in all around I see; O thou who changest not, abide with me.

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, oh, abide with me.

I fear no foe, with thee at hand to bless; ills have no weight and tears no bitterness. Where is death’s sting? Where, grave, thy victory? I triumph still, if thou abide with me!

Hold thou thy cross before my closing eyes, shine through the gloom, and point me to the skies; heaven’s morning breaks, and earth’s vain shadows flee; in life, in death, O Lord, abide with me.”

– “Abide with Me,” by Henry F. Lyte & William H. Monk.

Credit: “Abide with Me,” found in Evangelical Lutheran Worship, (Minneapolis, MN: 2006), 629.