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Walking With God – Genesis 6:9

It has been this writer’s blessed privilege to know a number of very godly people. Among these was Lois, the mother of my best friend in college. She epitomized the “holy women” of old (I Peter 3:1-6) who had a consistent, close walk with the Lord while cultivating genuine godliness from “the hidden man of the heart” (vs. 4). She provided a gentle, godly example to her husband and children. Lois read her Bible daily, prayed often, alluded to the Scriptures, submitted to her husband, gave wise biblical counsel, and was simply faithful.

God intentionally leaves us a written record in Scripture of a number of believers who, likewise, had a consistently close relationship with Him. Genesis 6:9 tells us, “… and Noah walked with God.” While the world around him had become so vile that they no longer wanted to “retain God in their knowledge,” “changed the truth of God into a lie,” and “worshipped…the creature more than the Creator” (Romans 1:28,25), Noah walked with God. His relationship was demonstrated in his obedience to build the ark over 120 years, while likely ridiculed by the lost. Likewise, “Enoch walked with God… three hundred sixty and five years” (Genesis 5:22-24). There must have also been something very close, unique, and consistent about his daily walk with the Lord because “God took him” into His presence (vs. 24), sparing him the pangs of physical death. Levi was “the messenger of the Lord of hosts” through whom Israel was to learn “the [Mosaic] law of truth [that] was in his mouth” (Malachi 2:6-7). He was worthy to be God’s instrument of spiritual ministry because “iniquity was not found in his lips, he walked with Me in peace and equity, and did turn many away from iniquity” (vs. 6). Moreover, it appears this “…priest’s lips should [or did] keep knowledge [of God’s written Word], and [influenced others to]… seek the law at his mouth” (vs. 7). During the early Acts era, Revelation 3:4 refers to “a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments [with sinful conduct], and they shall walk with Me in white [in an eternal state], for they are worthy.”

May these examples encourage us likewise to make it our top priority to practice a consistent walk with God. Beginning today, let’s purpose to begin each day with prayer, time in God’s Word, a practice apart from sin, and consistency – regardless of any hindrances.