May We Walk with God? by J. W. Rich

Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, California · May 19, 1914

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 41, No. 19.

May We Walk with God?

By J. W. Rich

Some Men Who Have Done It — Their Example Should Stimulate Us

By J. W. RICH

"AND Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him." Gen. 5:24. Few men of the Bible narratives have the record of their intimate association with the Master written in the same inspirational tone as is that of Enoch. There were other noble, true-hearted men, men of sterling worth and of strong character, men who mastered well the problems of every-day life; but in some respects, at least, Enoch seems to have entered more fully into the secrets of the Master’s steps.

This is not because Enoch was more of a favorite than the others; but going beyond the outer circle of friendship, he entered more fully into the spirit of unselfishness. In the language of the prophet Amos the secret is divulged: "Can two walk together, except they be agreed?" Amos 3:3. Having fitted his life more squarely into the plan of the Master, there was but little if any friction to be overcome, hence there was nothing to mar the beauty of their walk together. Would that there were as little friction in the life of every professed Christian to-day in keeping pace with the progress of the Master, as there was with Enoch! What a change would be seen in the church of Christ on earth to-day!

Think for a moment of the three hundred years of companionship of this man Enoch. Who would not have enjoyed the privileges, the experiences, the blessings, the mountain strolls, the night communions, and the victories, of this man? Certainly an experience to be enjoyed by one who walked so nearly as the Master walked!

There was one experience in the life of Enoch that was a great help to him in walking with God, and that was the birth of his son. No doubt there were times, when the little boy was learning to walk, that the father took a deep concern in the progress of his son. See the anxious look on the father’s face as he takes hold of the little hand and they start across the room. The two little feet have not been accustomed to obstructions, and presently over some of his playthings, or a fold in the rug, the little fellow stumbles.

These are his first lessons, and he has not learned them perfectly. He stumbles, he sways; but always does the father keep hold of the chubby hand, to direct the child aright. Note the short step taken! And how awkwardly do the little footsteps imitate the strides of the father! But he is learning; and later he will step more accurately, until it becomes a pleasure for father and son to stroll together even over rough and dangerous grounds. See them now ascending the craggy mountain peak, now descending to the plain, now jostling in the crowded city thoroughfare, but always keeping step.

I wonder do we ever have any trouble in keeping step with the Master nowadays. As children, young people, or old people, have we learned to walk as Jesus walks? In the hour of temptation, do we have any trouble in stepping over the stones that would turn us aside? Do the thorns of ridicule prick until we wish to walk alone? Does the example of some member in the church hinder your step with the Master as you travel through the Slough of Despond? Think what it means to walk with God, not your way, but His. Are we all willing to follow?

It was thus that Enoch walked with God. The Father did not learn the pace of the son, but the son did learn the pace of the Father, and thus could they walk together.

As Enoch watched the progress of his son, so Jesus watches over every son and daughter born into the heavenly family. He does not expect them to step perfectly when they begin, any more than Methuselah was expected to step like his father at the first attempt. But He does expect progress. It would be hard to walk and not get ahead. So Jesus expects each one of us each day to walk more perfectly than we did the day

before, until at last we shall have reached the goal of perfection.

Other men of the Bible are credited with this record of walking with God,—Noah in Gen. 6:9; Abraham in Gen. 17:1. And the exhortation comes to us in Matt. 5:48, "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect."

Perfection is not reached outside the fountainhead of perfection—Jesus. To reach this attainment, we come to Him. We remain with Him. We walk with Him. We learn His poise, His pace, His gait. We move forward, and something is done.

Be sure, dear friend, of your walking companion; for another would imitate the Father, and thus deceive you if possible. The times demand that we be careful. Your salvation demands it. The Master Himself demands it. Having made sure, let us walk, go ahead; and with Enoch we, too, shall be led to the very mount of God, which sooner or later will mean translation, just as it did to him.