Examples Of Walking With God


Frank Higginbotham


If we want to learn from the Bible concerning walking with God, we can profit greatly by appealing to examples. This article will deal with three men who are said to have walked with God. They are Noah, Abraham, and David. Lessons learned can be then applied to our walk with God.

Noah lived in a time of great wickedness. This is described in Genesis chapter six. Man had become so involved in the practice of wickedness that it was difficult to find a ray of hope in the whole world. Noah, however, was that ray of hope. He walked with God. This is the reason that Noah’s actions merited inclusion in the eleventh chapter of Hebrews. The writer of this book had great words to speak as he commended the life of Noah. “By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith” (Heb. 11:7). The life of Noah consisted of complete obedience. “Thus did Noah; according to all that God commanded him, so did he” (Gen. 6:22). Without knowing all that would be involved in a flood, building an ark and other details, Noah moved by faith. His trust in God was apparent as it led him to save himself and his family. It does not surprise us to read this. “These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God” (Gen. 6:9). He teaches us the value of walking with God by his example.

The second example we will note is Abraham, who also walked with God. He also is included in the great chapter of faith. When instructed to leave his kinsmen and homeland, Abraham went out not knowing where he was going. If we were given similar instructions, how would we react? We usually would like to know all the details of our trip. His trust in God was so strong that he simply obeyed without knowing the details. He was given a promise that was two-fold. First, there was the promise of a land, the land of Canaan, and the second part was a spiritual promise that was fulfilled in Christ. Abraham demonstrated his great trust when he was instructed to offer his son in sacrifice to God. Even though he did not know how God intended to work it out, he did what God instructed him to do. His example serves to help us see what it means to say we walk with God. “And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect” (Gen. 17:1). He certainly did walk with God.

The third example we note is that of David. In spite of his mistake of weakness, he was still used as an example to encourage Solomon. “And if thou wilt walk before me, as David thy father walked, in integrity of heart, and in uprightness, to do according to all that I have commanded thee, and wilt keep my statutes and my judgments: Then I will establish the throne of thy kingdom upon Israel for ever …” (1 Kings 9:4-5). When David sinned, he was filled with remorse and repented of his sin. He walked with God.

We need to walk with God, as did these three great men. God blesses richly those who make Him their companion during life. –205 Virginia Ave., Chester, WV 26034. (304) 387-1680. fhigginbotham@comcast.net


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