Walk With God

Do two walk together unless they agreed to do so? Amos 3:3 (NIV)

While waiting in the local bookstore, I found myself browsing through a little book with short devotional messages. I read several of them, but this one passage stuck with me. One of the picture moments it brought to my mind was from my elementary days attending AWANA in our church. One of the games we played was the three-legged race. My partner was my older sister. I remember running once in a championship, and marvel at how we made it that far. You see, we had a typical sister relationship. Doing anything together was rare, and in fact, we have opposite personalities. Yet, for this race, we tied our legs together after school every day for weeks and practiced our start, walking together first, then running, turning and reaching for the center pin. The two of us were intentional as we worked together and won together. I have silently giggled as these memories fade in and out of my mind.

The context of this passage has Amos prophesying a certain judgment for the Israelites because of their hardened spiritual condition. Their sin had blinded their ability to discern right from wrong, and they were far from God. In verse two, Amos reminded them they were God's chosen people. They had a rich history of God leading them and caring for them. God wanted to walk with His chosen, His loved ones, but they turned away from Him. They chose to walk alone.

In our human relationships it is a struggle at times to remain side by side. Simple misunderstandings, harsh words, neglect, or apathy can separate our walk with a good friend. The desire to be together fades unless both parties choose to work persistently at cultivating a close friendship.

God does not walk away from us. It is our sin that separates us from God. By choosing our own way, we disagree with God and find ourselves walking alone. We lose His strength, His joy, and we lose victory over sin.

What is awesome about God is that He desires to walk with us, and to care for us, just as he did for the Israelites. Micah 6:8 says God has shown us what is good and only requires from us that we act justly, love mercy, and to walk humbly with Him. Ephesians 5:1-2 calls us to be imitators of God and live a life of love.to walk in love as Christ also loved us. 2 John 4 says that God rejoiced greatly when He found His children walking in truth!

Today, let's agree to walk with God! With Him by our side we can walk victorious through life. We don't have to walk alone.

Lord, we desire to walk with you; we need you by our side. Help us to be children who walk in your truth daily.

Janet Stutzman