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"Abide in me, and I
in you.
As the
branch cannot bear fruit of itself,
except it
abide in the vine;
no more can
ye, except ye abide in me."
John 15:4
Obedience and Peaceful
Abiding
While on safari, a
missionary family stopped for lunch. The children were
playing under a tree a distance away from their
parents and the other adults on the team. Suddenly the
father of one child jumped up and yelled to his son,
"Drop down!" and the son did so instantly. Others in
the group were shocked to learn that a poisonous snake
was slithering down the tree ready to strike the
child. It would have meant certain death if the snake
had struck him. Only the father of the child saw it.
Amazement was
expressed over the instant response of the child to
his father's command. The father explained the abiding
love he and his son enjoyed had developed from the
trust they had in each other. The boy did not question
when his dad gave the command; he trusted him and
responded accordingly. The missionary father also
expected his son to obey his command.
The peaceful rest
that both of them were able to enjoy later that day
was evidence of the abiding rest that God has for each
of us as we learn to trust Him. Are you abiding in
Christ?
(Author known to
God)
God wants to abide
in us and He wants us to abide in Him. Abiding comes
more easily for some than others. It is not always
easy to know what God has planned for us, but we can
be assured that whatever it is, He is ready to equip
us with what we need to endure and hold on for as long
as He wants us there. Abiding starts with trust and
ends with complete rest.
"I am the vine,
ye are the branches:
He that abideth
in me, and I in him,
the same bringeth
forth much fruit:
for without me
ye can do nothing."
John 15:5
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