Imagine taking a walk with God. One of the most unusual people in the Bible is Enoch. He is one of two Old Testament characters who never died. What is it that makes Enoch unique? The Bible says: “And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him.” (Genesis 5:24) Enoch loved listening to God. He enjoyed sharing his heart with God. He made his relationship with God the number one priority in his life. Enoch’s walk with God meant that he had an intimate relationship with God.
We often find ourselves too busy to take time to walk with God. Our culture focuses on instant gratification. We don’t like to slow down. We have fast food, fast cars, instant photos, instant communication and microwave ovens. We think that we can also have a microwave relationship with God. We read a few verses, and say a quick prayer and think that we have a close relationship with God. We have lost the joy and the benefit of slowing down and learning to walk with God.
How can we develop a heart that longs to walk with God? Here are five ways that we can cultivate a heart that desires to walk with God.
1. We need to develop a heart that agrees with God. Agreeing with God enables us to view our life from His perspective. We enjoy our time with God because we aren’t arguing with Him. We are learning from Him. The nation of Israel had a problem of agreeing with God. They wanted to go their own way. The prophet Amos said: “Can two walk together, except they be agreed?” (Amos 3:3) Do we agree with God concerning our goals, our future, our family, our time, our money and other areas of our lives? We can’t walk in our own way and walk with God at the same time.
2. We need to develop a heart that is humble before God. Pride causes us to think that we don’t need to walk with God. We are able to handle our life without God. The prophet Micah says: “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?” (Micah 6:8) A humble spirit is a dependent spirit. A dependent believer sees their great need to walk very close with God.
3. We need to develop heart that is pure before God. Because God is holy, sin keeps us from walking with God. The Apostle John says: “If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.” (1 John 1:6-7) Sin is choosing to walk in darkness, instead of walking in God’s light. However, God has provided the way of restoration in our walk with Him. “If we confess our sin, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sin, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9) A pure heart is a heart that enjoys walking with God, who is Light.
4. We need to develop a heart that loves as God loves. When our hearts are full of anger, bitterness, hatred, and selfishness, we are unable to walk with God, who is love.
“And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.” A believer that loves God and others feels very comfortable walking with God. They look for opportunities to pour out the love they receive from God unto others.
5. We need to develop a heart that is quiet before God. God’s Word encourages us to slow down and be still. We need to learn the art of waiting upon God. “Be still, and know that I am God:” (Psalm 46:10) A patient and quiet heart is saying to God: “I am ready to walk with you with my undivided attention.”
Enoch made a choice that he would walk with God. This meant the sacrifice of his time. It meant that he would be misunderstood by others. However, he desired a close walk with His God. God took pleasure in His time Enoch. As a result, He just took Enoch right up to heaven to be with Him. What about us? How is our walk with God?
“Dear Lord, I am tempted to hurry my time with you. I find myself walking this life without you. Then something happens and I wonder where are you. Help me, to see my need to walk close with you. I know that the greatest enjoyment in life is when I take the time to walk with you. Thank you for always being available to walk side by side with me. I love you, Lord. Amen”
Bible Treasures for Today 