Do you want to walk with God? Is it possible? Enoch did but can I? Do I want to? Is it desirable? How does one walk with God? This article is written to young Christians who are called to be pilgrims and strangers in this world and wish to walk with God and enjoy Him as their Friend. We read in Micah 6:8,
“He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord
require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk
humbly with thy God.”
God, the Eternal, Magnificent One has descended in Christ Jesus to live, move and suffer amongst us. By coming to walk with us, talk to us, to suffer in our place, Immanuel has delivered us from despair to love; from darkness to light; from death to life. He has shown Himself to be our God, our Saviour, our Father, and our Friend.
We are called to walk with Him. We are called to a life of faith, love, and obedience. We are called to walk with Him as His children, children of light, to walk antithetically as holy children in the midst of a sinful, evil world. We are called to walk on the high road of wholesome living, walking with God in humble joy, enjoying His friendship, care, guidance, and love.
We are pilgrims and wayfarers on the rugged road of a rocky, unregenerate world. And the only way to walk it with God is in an unshakable faith with God leading and encouraging us all the way.
The Word of God to us today is exactly the same as it was to young Joshua long ago:
“Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest
observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant
commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the
left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest.
This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but
thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest
observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then
thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have
good success.
Have I not commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage;
be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God
is with thee whithersoever thou goest” (Joshua 1:7-9).
God’s Word must be a light upon our pilgrimage. God speaks to us telling us what He is like, what we have been made in Christ Jesus, what our calling is, how to resist sin, how to behave as His children. He encourages us, reassures us, reprimands us, instructs us as His covenant friends. As we read in I Corinthians 2:9,10:
“…Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither hath entered into
the heart of man the things which God hath prepared for them
that love Him. But God hath revealed them unto us by His
Spirit: for the Spirit searchest all things, yea, the deep things
of God.”
So, young people, diligently seek God and His counsel. For He promises to reward those who seek Him (Hebrews 11:6). Let your heavenly Father and Friend speak to you each day and surround you on every side with His presence, person, and power. God’s speech will make you strong and courageous to walk as a godly young man or woman. “It is in Him that we move, and live, and have our being” (Acts 17:27,28).
God makes Himself known by speaking to us in a language we can understand. He communicates His will and wishes to us. He reveals His character. He sheds light upon the path that we are to walk in life.
That is why the Scriptures are to be taken seriously. They must be studied, read, and re-read. It takes time, a lot of time to be still, to listen, to hear, and to understand what He is saying. If we want to hear and understand God we must get alone in some quiet, private spot with His Word, away from noise and distractions. Before opening His Word, ask God to speak to you through it. Read slowly the passage before you. Concentrate carefully on what God is saying, and what that means for you personally. Perhaps in a private journal with the date, write down clearly what the passage said and your reaction to it. During the day, recall and ponder what God has revealed to you. If there is opportunity, share this insight with another person or your family. This all takes time, precious time, but time well spent that we might know and walk with God.
As God speaks to you in His Word, you can speak to Him in prayer. Tell Him your fears, failures, and hurts. Thank Him for your new life, friends, parents, and everyday blessings. Ask Him to cause you to mature in your faith, love for Him, and your obedience. Beg Him for a keen appetite and hunger for His Word. Thank Him for helping you to recognize your enemies: Satan, the enticing world, and your old sinful nature. Plead with Him to help you say NO to them. Thank God for forgiving you your short-comings and failures. Confess to Him your sins and ask Him to cleanse you from all unrighteousness. Praise God for being near to His children always and implore Him to increase your oneness and communion with Him.
Walking with God means talking to Him, sharing with Him your inmost thoughts, and communing with Him personally, privately, and profoundly. Do not repeat thoughtlessly old phrases but open up, pour out your heart to God the Author and Finisher of your faith. Talking with God this way, we walk with God in quiet strength and assurance, not easily turned aside, walking in faith and obedience. WALKING WITH GOD? Possible? Yes! Desirable? Yes!
Young person, do you want to walk humbly with your God? Do you see the need for personal devotions? Will you take the time and effort for them?