Walking with God by G. I. Butler

Pacific Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Oakland, California · Feb 13, 1879

Walking with God.

By G. I. Butler

"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.

This scripture says that God requires man to walk humbly with him. It is not then a matter of indifference with the Deity whether man walks with him or not; he expects it at our hands as a duty; but above all, it should be considered an inestimable privilege. Of the three requirements presented, it seems evident to me that this is the highest: To walk with God. What a thought, for mortals to sustain such a relationship, to have such a companion! Yet the word says this is possible. It tells us of Enoch walking with him, not for one day, or month, or year, merely, but for three hundred years—three times as long as our country has had a national existence. Enoch was a man of like passions with ourselves. He lived in a corrupt age. He had the same devil to contend with. Yet he walked with God in spite of all these difficulties. Why cannot we? God is no respecter of persons. If we will do as Enoch did, he is just as ready to walk with us as with him.

What is it to walk with God? The idea of walking with another seems to be, that the two pass along in agreement. Where the one goes, the other goes. It also presents the idea of delightful companionship, mutual good will, and esteem, and communion of spirit. As it is plain that God does not pass along with us personally, the beautiful relationship set forth as a duty evidently contemplates that continued intercourse of the Holy Spirit with our spirits that will enable us to know whenever we take an important step that God is well pleased with it. Yes, God designs that his children shall have light to step circumspectly, and not go blundering along, making perhaps a good hit to-day, serving the devil's cause to-morrow. Is not our God a mighty God, that can see in the darkness, as well as in the light? Has he not the light for us that we need at all times? Is not his spirit the very agent by which he can enlighten us, either by the application of his holy word to our hearts when we are trying to understand it, or by impressions of duty when our hearts are tender before him? What a mighty attainment this is! I do not understand that every novice can just step right into this position with no previous preparation. The first thing that would be seen in such a case, he would probably be puffed up by the enemy, and fall in his own conceit. No. There are steps here. He must first "do justly," as he cries to God mightily to give him a heart to abhor wrong, to love righteousness, even with "hungering and thirsting." His first care above all others to keep his own soul from every unrighteous act that would tarnish it, his mind will see things more and more clearly, his conscience will be quick, God will bless him. And as he sees his own innate selfishness, and compares it with the tender love of Christ, he begins to love mercy because it is lovely, and he therefore practices upon the same principles more and more, realizing there is a higher aim to live for than self, all the time earnestly beseeching that Christ will impart this heavenly grace. A heavenly sweetness will take possession of his soul, and it will seem that Heaven comes very near. Then he will realize a preciousness in the religion of Christ, such as he never realized before. He may then walk humbly with God, or, as the margin has it, he may "humble himself to walk with God." There is an idea connected with that which should not be lost sight of. Man cannot walk with God without being truly humble. To be humble is "to have a sense of one's own unworthiness on account of imperfection and sinfulness." —Webster. The man who does not feel thus cannot truly walk with God. This is really a good test of true spirituality. Fanatics are generally full of spiritual pride. To question their claims, stirs them up. Not so with the man who has the genuine Spirit of the Master. It will cause him to be like him, meek and lowly of heart. Most that passes for modern sanctification in some denominations lacks this ring of the true metal.

When we thus humble ourselves, we see the true relation we sustain to the Creator. We see that we are poor, weak, erring mortals, our hearts corrupt; every effort we have made has been poorly carried out; all we have accomplished was through frailty and imperfection; every motive selfish. The stains of sin have spotted us all over. We are then led to cry with Paul, "Oh! wretched man that I am!" and with Job, "I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes." What shall we do, then, while such is our condition? Despair? Oh, no! Look to Jesus, place ourselves in his hands just as we are. Come with all our weakness to the God we have offended, and cast ourselves upon his mercy. Here I am, Lord, it is all I can do. All the powers of darkness cannot keep the blessing of God from our souls; at such a time we shall realize there is a communication open between us and heaven, just as really as there is between the vine and the branch. Sap and nourishment will flow, and that "peace that passeth all understanding" will be the result. Then we can live near to God by watchfulness, prayer, and labor in the Master's vineyard. Then we may walk with God. Shall we find him an unpleasant companion? I think not. Heaven is a happy, a glorious place. There is nothing gloomy about it. Fullness of joy is found there alone. If rays of light from God, shining in the face of Jesus, are reflected upon us, will it not make us cheerful, even joyful in God? Yes, I believe it. We shall find God a pleasant companion to walk with.

"For thus saith the high and lofty One, that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy: I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones." Isa. 57: 15. Here we see the same steps set before us, first humility, then God is ready to take up his abode with us. No man can have God's constant direction and guidance without realizing his weakness, without thoroughly sensing it. A man that does, God will bless. If he keeps fully in this position, and faithfully tries to do every duty, he can have God's constant direction. He wants us to be in this position. Our text says he "requires it." Oh! that we might, by faithful living, attain to it! Then we could do good, then we could glorify God, then we could enjoy religion. How the truth would triumph if every step were ordered in him! How easily we could detect the devices of the enemy did the true Light but shine upon us! Could a body of ministers go forth thus "walking with God," Satan's kingdom would tremble. It seems to me this must be seen before our work can be wrought. Who will share in it? Oh! how we need a discerning mind, a sanctified judgment, and power from above, such as cometh alone through the rich effusion of the Holy Spirit. Let us honestly try, as individuals, to live for it.

G. I. BUTLER.