I don't know about you, but I love to learn, and in particular, I love to swim in the minds of greatness.
One such beach that regularly grants me bathe is Google Books. This morning, I found Our Favorites from the Elder Poets with a few Newer Friends; A Selection, by Matilda Sharpe, 1881.
I found this elder text as I was doing a Google Search for John Newton, and happened upon this hymn.
The greatest of all sin, born from the lying Serpent of Eden, is pride. One of the significant byproducts of pride is fear.
In our longings to become god-like, we found ourselves cast out of Eden, alone, and great with fear.
Now, as alien sojourners, we must daily fight for what once was ours.
John Newton, in this simple prayer, reminds us that we must not bear the burden of tomorrow, but as children, learn now to rely on the grace, and care of Abba.
"Let me thus with Thee abide as my Father, Guard, and Guide."
Our fat, post-modern culture knows little of the wisdom that lies in this little prayer.
