When you feel distant from God, who has done the moving…

You or Him?

As for me, I know it is I who has done the moving.

God is steadfast, unmovable, an anchor to our souls. I loved this simple counsel from the Book of Mormon prophet Ether.

“Wherefore, whoso believeth in God might with surety hope for a better world, yea, even a place at the right hand of God, which hope cometh of faith, maketh an anchor to the souls of men, which would make them sure and steadfast, always abounding in good works, being led to glorify God” (Ether 12:4).

The Christian hymn “Abide with Me ‘Tis Eventide” touches hearts deeply with its simple plea, as shown here in the first stanza…

Abide with me; ’tis eventide.
Thy walk today with me
Has made my heart within me burn,
As I communed with thee.
Thy earnest words have filled my soul
And kept me near thy side.

O Savior, stay this night with me;
Behold, ’tis eventide.

Elisa connected well with these truths from the second stanza as she fondly remembered tucking kids in at the end of day, singing them songs, and then frequently turned to playing the piano.

Abide with me; ’tis eventide.
Thy walk today with me
Has made my heart within me burn,
As I communed with thee.
Thy earnest words have filled my soul
And kept me near thy side.

O Savior, stay this night with me;
Behold, ’tis eventide.

The lyrics and music of the hymn were born out of the heartbreaking loss and sorrow experienced during the Civil War. Both the writer Martin Lowrie Hofford and composer Harrison Millard held positions in the Union forces. Being exposed to such horrific experiences gave me a new sense of appreciation for these words from the final stanza.

Abide with me; ’tis eventide,
And lone will be the night
If I cannot commune with thee
Nor find in thee my light.
The darkness of the world, I fear,
Would in my home abide.

O Savior, stay this night with me;
Behold, ’tis eventide.

We hope you heart is filled with “surety [and] hope for a better world” as you humbly plead for the Savior to Abide with you in the eventide, and throughout the day. We hope you enjoy this beautiful arrangement by Jason Tonioli.