10/12/2023
Do we walk with God, or are we still yearning to walk with Him? How close is our relationship, or in its absence, how desperately do we seek His presence? In our desire for salvation and eternal life do we place these goals above simply loving God? If so, do we realize that without that love there will never be a quiet stroll through the garden, or a conversation spent speaking without having to utter a word?
“When Enoch had lived 65 years, he fathered Methuselah. Enoch walked with God after he fathered Methuselah 300 years and had other sons and daughters. Thus all the days of Enoch were 365 years. Enoch walked with God, and he was not, for God took him.”
Genesis 5:21-24 ESV
I live beside a beautiful city park in Nashville, and on occasion I watch older couples as they walk arm in arm with one another. For the most part they don’t speak, but the emotional bond they share shouts to me as I enjoy the vision of their loving relationship. Mature love is that way; the stronger it gets the less it has to be advertised, and the more obvious it is... we become increasingly as one, and abandon our individuality.
Soft, oh so soft, are the moments spent with someone you love. A touch that in your youth was so boldly sensual, and often about yourself, becomes much gentler and reaches quietly into one’s heart as a relationship matures. For the young this is something to look forward to, and for the old it is a comfortable reality.
“”Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.””
John 14:27 ESV
Our faith settles in over the years and the peace which was promised to us becomes a reality. This is the evidence of a walk with God. It isn’t flamboyant or outlandish, just calm and certain of itself. It reminds me of an old hymn that I have sung all my life “Rock of Ages” and the calm assurance of that hymn’s melody and lyrics. It isn’t stirring or performed in a rock n roll type beat or words... it is a prayer written in 1763, and, once set to music, it became a hymn for all ages... it settles our spirit for another day’s peaceful walk.
“Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
let me hide myself in thee;
let the water and the blood,
from thy wounded side which flowed,
be of sin the double cure;
save from wrath and make me pure.” - Augustus M. Toplady
Enoch walked with God... this isn’t a bold proclamation, but a simple statement of fact, and at the end of His life of faith he wasn’t whisked away in a flaming chariot as lightning streaked across the sky, and the entire heavenly host sang in the background, but rather, he walked away with God in quiet assurance “he was not.”
We are all different though, some of us enjoy solitude, others the hustle bustle of loud crowds; some of us like walks in the park and others desire to jog, or dance to a driving beat. Enoch walked with God and then “he was not.” Yet, Elijah completed his time on earth in bold fashion...
“And as they still went on and talked, behold, chariots of fire and horses of fire separated the two of them. And Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.”
2 Kings 2:11 ESV
However we choose to be in relationship with God, whether during a quiet walk where our souls intertwine, or amidst a brisk jog in the park as we talk in pants with each stride... the object is not simply eternal life, but an eternal life of loving God. In all cases, we should one day find that we can’t separate who we are from who He is.
It is easy to lose sight of this difference and to find ourselves knowing who God is, but not sharing a relationship with Him. If we don’t spend time walking, jogging, or even dancing lovingly with Him, then our life of faith is sacrificed. Without spending our days abiding in Him we will never be able to reach that place where we can speak without words, run in stride with Him, or dance in perfect synchronization across the dance floor. Whether we are like Enoch or Elijah, the goal is not to obtain eternal life, but to join God in eternal harmony so that our relationship with Him knows no end.
I am a quiet man, and lean towards solitude; perhaps you are different, and more inclined to waltz, or jog through life... whoever we are, we should be that person as we serve God and spend our time with Him. In this way our relationship never ceases to grow and we will eternally draw closer to Him.
For me I long to see Jesus, and stand at peace with Him before God. For me I look forward to the quiet walks in the garden in the cool of the evening. For me I hear the final verse of “Rock of Ages”, and long to hide myself in Him.
“While I draw this fleeting breath,
when mine eyes shall close in death,
when I soar to worlds unknown,
see thee on thy judgment throne,
Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
let me hide myself in thee.” - Augustus M. Toplady
Are you in a true relationship with God? Have you exchanged your desire to possess eternity, or receive an extravagant reward, for a deeper and more fulfilling relationship of love? Are you ready to walk in the park with God without saying a word?
“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.”
Deuteronomy 6:5 ESV
Prayer:
Father I thank you for the walk I have with you, and the day by day growth of our relationship. Be with me always Father, and never let go my hand. Let me be at peace beside you until at last I am no more, and we are together for eternity. Help me Lord to love you more, and to find my comfort evermore restful in your presence. Guide me as I traverse this life and be with me always as I approach each trial and crossroads it presents. As my days here grow short let me hear myself speak softly as I ask this quiet question... “Is that you Jesus?” Holy Father my desire is to be more and more like you, each day. My dream of faith is to realize that I am truly created in your image and have learned to recognize the resemblance that only a long and loving relationship can give us. Father, I thank you for your grace and mercy; I thank you for the love you have for me and the desire you have to walk together with me. You are my God, my Father, and my constant companion... I praise you day and night for the words we no longer must speak aloud, and for the realization that at the end of my life on earth I will simply be no more, as I will be with you.
Rich Forbes