Learning to Abide

If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.

─ John 15:7 ESV

Learning to Abide

Shortly after Bradley asked Helen to marry him, she received bad news. Bradley didn’t know what to say, so the diagnosis hung in the air. A few minutes passed and Helen whispered, “I understand if you don’t want to get married now.”

Suddenly, a question rose in Bradley’s heart: If you were already married to her, you wouldn’t leave her, would you? He knew the question came from God. He turned to Helen and said, “We will trust God and go through this together.” Fifteen years and two children later, they are still married, and Helen is cancer free.

Jesus said, “If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.” A major key to understanding our verse today is the revelation of the word abide. According to Webster’s 1828 dictionary, the word means 1) to rest, or dwell. 2) to tarry or stay for a short time, 3) to continue permanently or in the same state; to be firm and immovable, and 4) to remain, to continue.

When you trust God by resting, spending time in His presence, remaining steadfast in faith, continuing to grow in and learn His ways, you can trust Him to answer your prayers in ways that turn out for your good. His plans for you are good.

Today’s One Thing

Take a look at today’s verse and the definition of abide. Are you abiding in Him, listening to His voice, hearing His voice through Scripture and remaining steadfast in faith? What can you do today that would help you abide? One thing you can do today is start reading the book of John. Start with chapter 15 and read the whole chapter this week.

Additional Reading

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