The idea of walking with God is sweet, suggesting devotion to God and fellowship with Him. The idea was put to song in 1954, with “I'll walk with God from this day on”. The reality of walking with God can be sweet, but also challenging. It is a way of living, to God’s agenda.
Psalm 23 talks of green pastures and still waters, but also of the shadow of death.
Those who walked with God through the millennia faced both riches and poverty, promotion and imprisonment. Some were heroes, while some were stoned.
Before you get gushy and sing “I’ll walk with God”, think about what it might mean. God may walk you through the park, but also walk you across a mountain, or to deep waters, or great trial.
Another song on walking with God is from teenage hymn writer, G.A. Young, a century ago, titled “God Leads Us Along”.
Sometimes on the mount where the sun shines so bright,
God leads His dear children along;
Sometimes in the valley, in darkest of night,
God leads His dear children along.
Some through the waters, some through the flood,
Some through the fire, but all through the blood.
Consider Bible examples of walking with God. The Israelites taken to Babylon wanted return to Jerusalem, but Jeremiah wrote and said, “Settle down for a long exile”. That wasn’t what they wanted, but God called them to fit God’s plans.
Paul was to take the gospel to nations, but that led to many difficulties. So Paul had to decide that his life was not about him being comfortable and blessed, but about putting his life aside so he could bless others with truth that would save them for eternity.
“I endure all these things for the sake of those who need to be saved, that they also may receive the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.” 2Tim 2:10
Paul walked with God, through shipwreck, imprisonment, opposition and stoning, and he also saw churches planted, bodies healed, souls saved, lives rescued and so much more.
So walking with God may not be a picnic. But there is nothing more wonderful than being close to God, in His purposes, doing His will and being satisfied at the deepest level.
Jesus reflected on that after He had talked with the woman at the well. His disciples came with food for Him and He wasn’t hungry. He told them that doing the will of God the Father was so satisfying it was like food to His body.
“His disciples urged him, Master eat. But he said to them, I have food to eat that you know nothing about. The disciples questioned, Has someone brought Him food? Jesus said to them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.” John 4:31-34
You cannot be more satisfied than to Walk With God, doing His will.
We are lured by the things of this world, and we think our happiness lies in having or enjoying those things. Paul decided differently. He decided that his life was expendable, and that the gospel message of salvation through Christ was much more valuable than all the earthly experiences he could have.
So be careful, too, that you don’t get distracted by the things of this world.
See that in a miracle Jesus performed for Ten Lepers. They saw Jesus and called to Him to heal them. Jesus did heal them, giving them the opportunity to respond in faith.
“When he saw them, he said, Go, show yourselves to the priests.” Luke 17:14
When a leper was healed they were to go to the priest to be declared ‘clean’. Then they could go back to their homes, their jobs, and normal life. However, Jesus told the men to go to the priest while they were still lepers.
This is where faith kicks in. If they objected to the instruction and did not start to go to the priest they would have remained as lepers. If they trusted Jesus’ words, and headed off to see the priest they were stepping out in faith. That’s what they did.
“As they went, they were cleansed.” Luke 17:14
That was a miracle. It seems that as they went they noticed their symptoms receding. They would have seen the change in themselves and each other.
You can imagine how excited they must have been by the time they reached the priest and could be declared ‘clean’.
“One of them, seeing he was healed, returned, praising God in a loud voice. He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him. He was a Samaritan.” Luke 17:15,16
What happened to the other nine? They didn’t return to Jesus. I expect they ran as fast as they could to show their wife and family that they were free to return home. What a joy it must have been for them to have their lives back. But they were more keen to walk with the things of this life than to remember to give thanks to God.
Let me repeat: Be careful that you don’t get distracted by the things of this world.
With those thoughts in mind, let me ask you if you are still willing to walk with God. I trust you are and that you will put everything else aside so you can be who God wants you to be and do what God wants you to do. May you, with full understanding of what the challenges may be, choose to confess … I’ll Walk With God!
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