abide

abide

Main Entry: abide

Pronunciation: \e-bid\

Function: verb

Inflected Form(s): abode or abide-ed; abide-ing

Etymology: Middle English, from Old English abidan, from a-, perfective prefix + bidan to bide; akin to Old High German ir-, perfective prefix--more at BIDE

Date: before 12th century

transitive verb

1: to wait for: await

2 a: to endure without yielding: withstand b: to bear patiently: tolerate

3: to accept without objection

intransitive verb

1: to remain stable or fixed in a state

2: to continue in a place: sojourn

synonyms see bear, continue

Jesus said, "Abide in me, and I in you.  As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.  I am the vine; you are the branches.  Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing."  John 15: 4-5

A wise woman also said, abide is compelling to choose-- choose Jesus, wait patiently for Him.  Without Him, we can do nothing.  He is our source of life, our roots.