What It Means to Abide in God

--a book giveaway AND free ebooks!

Abide. The word I felt God impress upon my heart and mind at the beginning of 2024 weaves its way throughout the Bible and includes the beautiful first verse of Psalm 91 which reads, “He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.”

While memorizing Psalm 91:1-2, I embarked on a deeper study of both passages and discovered several characteristics related to remaining covered. Sheltered. Secure.

Verse 2 continues, “I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.

Dwell and abide reflect one another, emphasizing that one must remain or continue to live and rest in the Lord’s presence to experience the tender protection He offers. But what does abiding in God’s shadow entail?

What it Means to Abide in God

Psalm 91 teaches us that communing with God involves two key components.

Proximity Bible scholars believe the secret place references the Most Holy Place—the Tabernacle’s inner sanctuary and home to the mercy seat. While only the priest could access this area, the author of Psalm 91 paints a word picture that encourages us to draw near to God.

The physical temple allowed for worship in both the outer and inner courts. In the same way, we can worship God from a distance or up close and personal. But only those who draw near enough to experience the covering of His holiness rest beneath the shade of the Lord’s power and presence.

Position Only the high priest could access the Most Holy Place. Before entering the area, the priest washed, donned special clothing, and sprinkled blood on the mercy seat in recognition of Israel’s collective sin.

Because of Christ’s sacrificial death and atonement as the perfect High Priest, we can “come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:16 NKJV)

The stipulation? We must recognize our need for a Savior—a position requiring humility.

What are the Results of Abiding?

A quick review of Psalm 91:1-2 reveals three results when we abide in the Lord.

Protection The first outcome involves heavenly protection. While the whole of scripture affirms the believer will encounter hardship, persecution, and difficulties, words threaded through the Old and New Testaments also remind us of God’s love toward His children.

When the Enemy threatens us, health alludes us, relationships fail us, finances drain us, or rumors of war frighten us we discover asylum in the impenetrable arms of an unchanging Father who rescued us for eternity.

Peace Abiding in Him also results in the quelling of anxiety. A posture of spiritual peace. Contented soul rest.

Christ’s words in Matthew 11:28-30 (AMPC) illuminate this concept, ^“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy-laden and overburdened, and I will cause you to rest. [I will ease and relieve and refresh your souls.]

Take My yoke upon you and learn of Me, for I am gentle (meek) and humble (lowly) in heart, and you will find rest (relief and ease and refreshment and recreation and blessed quiet) for your souls.

Could you use some blessed quiet? Step into the secret place, friend.

Praise A life lived in His presence leads us to praise the Lord’s goodness. We recognize the bounty of answered prayers. Take note of divine moments. Proclaim thanks for unexpected miracles and His day-to-day faithfulness.

Five Bible Verses That Teach Us to Abide

• 1 John 2:14 (NKJV) I have written to you fathers, because you have known Him who is from the beginning. I have written to you, young men, because you are strong and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the wicked one.

• 1 John 2:17 (NKJV) And the world is passing away; and the lust of it, but he who does the will of God abides forever.

• John 15:4-7 (NKJV) Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.

• John 15:7 (NKJV) If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you desire, and it shall be done for you.

• 1 John 4:15 (NKJV) Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God.

  Life’s circumstances may mimic a dark, clouded sky—portending trouble. But we will find comfort and rest beneath His wings.

Where Does Jesus Say 'I Am the Bread of Life' in Scripture?

The yeasty scent of dough prompted thoughts of a warm slice of goodness topped with butter, and my stomach rumbled in anticipation of the first taste of my mother’s homemade treat.

A universal food, every culture depends upon bread for sustenance. Jesus once used the metaphor of this critical food source to emphasize His divinity when He proclaimed, “I am the bread of life.” But what does this mean?

To read more, click here.

From the Bookshelf

Linda Kozaar, author of Gimme Some Sugar: 90 Devotions to Sweeter Your Day in a Godly Way, uplifts readers with humor-laced stories reflecting Biblical truth. Each short devotion includes a verse from scripture and a question to consider at the end of each daily meditation. Sweet and light-hearted, Gimme Some Sugar would be a great quick read for a busy mom, a new Christian, or a shared devotion in a faith-based workplace.

Colleen Coble’s romantic suspense novel, Strands of Faith, kept me awake into the late evening as I attempted to unravel the book’s interesting plot. Harper Taylor, an orphan mentored by a wealthy man, discovers she has a half-sister who lives nearby. But when someone attempts to kidnap Harper and her beneficiary suffers a deadly attack, she decides to join her childhood nemesis, Ridge, in search of a possible killer.

I enjoy Colleen Coble’s entertaining novels and, while Strands of Faith proved worth the read, it was not as suspenseful as I had hoped. I do recommend reading the book if you want something light and fun.

Restored: Reconnecting Life’s Broken Pieces opens with a re-telling of Cindy Brinker Simmons early life and its relationship to the reader. The following chapters invite the reader to apply Biblical strategies to manage her pain, challenges, or loss as she seeks recovery from heartbreak and overwhelm.

Each chapter concludes with a summary highlighting that section’s major points, a takeaway question, and multiple application opportunities such as prayer journaling or engaging in a community group.

A great nonfiction read, Restored gently guides and encourages the reader while offering practical tips and wisdom.

If either Gimme Some Sugar or Restored appeals to you, just answer the question at the end of the message to be entered in a drawing to win a copy. Responses must be received by midnight Eastern time on 4/21/24. (Only those within the lower forty-eight states are eligible.)

Free Ebooks for You!

Searching for a new thriller, who-done-it, or romantic suspense read? I am teaming up with more than one hundred authors to bring you a great selection that will entertain you this spring.

Choices included The Cleopatra Cipher by L.D. Goffigan, Take Down by Blair Denholm, and Baxter-Canine Hero by Jodi Burnett. You can find more here or at this link. Or, even here.

Writerly News

I (finally) heard back from Love Inspired and they passed on my latest submission. Sigh. While waiting, however, I wrote another children’s book and submitted it to my agent. Perhaps Praise Down on the Farm will find its home in a lovely publishing house this year.

Writing for publication reminds me of Finding Nemo and Dory’s famous words, “Just keep swimming. Just keep swimming.”

For the skimmers (and everyone else)

You can win a copy of either Gimme Some Sugar or Restored (mentioned above) if you shoot me an email with an answer to the following question.

What topic(s) would you like to see covered in a series or book that dealt with the theme of encouragement in “such a time as this.” Some ideas include hope in times of anxiety, war, slander, fear, etc.

I’d love to know what would resonate with you!

If I can pray for you, feel free to share. It would be an honor.

Peace and grace,

Tammy