It doesn’t matter if you are a patriarch of the Bible or a modern-day believer; walking with God transforms. Walking with God represents a life of obedience and being led by the Spirit. The Lord gives us free will, but as I walk with God, I surrender my free will to the Lord as He guides me through life.
Cultivating that type of relationship with God is not easy because our sinful nature desires its own way. We are fortunate in our relationship with God because He is the one who initiates our relationship with Him. It was God who called Abram at age 75 when he was a worshiper of idols.
Like many of us, Abram’s faith journey had its ups and downs as God shaped and molded him. God had promised that he and Sarai would have a son, but doubts began as he grew older. In this context, God intervened in Abram’s life with a message of hope. Genesis 17:1 When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to him and said, “I am El-Shaddai—‘God Almighty.’ Serve me faithfully and live a blameless life. 2 I will make a covenant with you, by which I will guarantee to give you countless descendants.” [1]
It’s Not Always Easy to Walk With God
When I walk beside someone, I keep a close distance for easy communication. Similarly, the Holy Spirit spiritually connects us when we walk with God. This allows Him to speak through the Spirit and His Word. But what if I struggle in this relationship?
You may want to walk with the Lord yet feel inadequate. You might want to pray, read your Bible, and attend church, but life’s busyness often interferes. Deep down, you know what to do, yet you face difficulties. If this resonates with you, remember you are not alone. God understands your struggles and recognizes our weaknesses.
The best response to life’s challenges is to reach out to God and seek His help. The Psalmist captures this sentiment beautifully. Psalm 18: 6 But in my distress I cried out to the Lord; yes, I prayed to my God for help. He heard me from his sanctuary; my cry to him reached his ears. [2]
God Wants More
The statement from the Lord to Abram, “I am God Almighty; walk before me, and be blameless,” in Genesis 17 is simple yet profound. As God spoke to Abram, He told him what he could become. This is the same truth that the Lord wants to speak into our hearts today through His word and the Spirit.
As we walk with the Lord, He transforms us. As worldly ways lose their grip on our lives, what is significant gains new meaning. Everyone wants their life to have meaning, and true fulfillment only comes from our relationship with God.
Galatians 5:16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.[3] If you’re facing uncertainty, like Abram, say yes to God. Walk by faith, not sight. Embrace His call to deepen your faith, and you’ll step into your promise and uncover all the wonderful things He has in store for you. To learn how walking with God transforms, listen here:
[1,2] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Tyndale House Publishers.
[3] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Ga 5:16). (2016). Crossway Bibles.