Colossians 3:16, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.”
Webster’s American Dictionary of the KJV dictionary definition for dwell states: “Dwell imports a residence of some continuance. We use abide for the resting of a night or an hour; but we never say, he dwelt in a place a day or a night. Dwell may signify a residence for life or for a much shorter period, but not for a day. In Scripture, it denotes a residence of seven days during the feast of tabernacles.” Therefore, Paul was teaching that the word of Christ should continue in our thoughts, hearts, and minds continually. Christ’s words need to inhabit us in molding our lives to be more like Him, not just for a day, and become a statement upon our life. God’s Word needs to abide, inhabit, and remain in my thoughts and in my worship in song, as I go about my day and even while I sleep at night, in order to give me guidance, wisdom, and instruction. As Proverbs 15:21 states, “Folly is a joy to him who lacks sense, but a man of understanding walks straight ahead.”
Two words that Jesus said to His disciples that have been “abiding in my mind” are when Jesus said, “Follow me.” Peter thought he was ready for anything, but wasn’t, when Jesus asked him three times if he loved Him? Jesus told Peter simply to “Follow me.” Later, Peter asked Jesus how John would die (John 21:18-23)? Jesus replied, “What is that to you? You must follow me.” Peter was comparing himself to John. Peter had just heard he was going to die painfully. Jesus’s response was blunt and to the point; oh how I can relate to Peter as I compare myself to other writers, wives, mothers, grandmothers, and businesswomen. Jesus would say to me, just as he said to Peter, “What is that to you? Follow me.”
I do not know what the future has for me. But I do know that Jesus has told me to follow Him. Two simple words that Jesus said, “Follow me.” That gives me courage and strength, despite challenges and difficulties, because God knows what is ahead. I must simply follow Him, letting the words of Scripture take residence in my mind and heart – to dwell there. Songs of thanksgiving and praises will then spill forth to Jehovah Jireh, my provider, as He meets me in my difficult circumstances, struggles, frustrations, mistakes, and successes, finding that melody of a song that I lift up to Him with thankfulness in my heart to God.
Listen to Mercy Me (Official Lyric Video) Say I Won’t. 12/18/2020