Walk Before 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.” Genesis 17:1 (KJV).

By this verse alone we can see that Abraham is walking with the LORD. Walking with the LORD is the daily endeavor of all who know the LORD. Enoch and Noah are said to be two who have walked with the LORD (chapter 5:22 and 6:9). It is important that we walk with God. God desires that we walk with Him. God desired that Abraham walk with Him. Though the text does not say that Abraham walked with God, it seems to be safe to say that it is a true saying.

“We walk ‘before God’ as children; we ‘walk after’ Him as servants; we ‘walk with’ Him as His friends; we ‘walk in’ Him as members of His Body.” A.W. Pink From GLEANINGS IN GENESIS, p. 187. “To walk before is sugestive of a child running ahead and playing in the presence of his father, conscious of his perfect security because he is just behind. To ‘walk after’ becomes a servant following his master. To ‘walk with’ indicates fellowship and friendship. To ‘walk in’ denotes union” GLEANINGS IN GENESIS.

For those who will walk before God, after God, with God, and/or in God we must walk ‘perfectly’ – sincere and upright. The Word of God cannot be changed to fit our lives – our lives must change to fit the Word. Is it possible to ‘be thou perfect’ before the LORD? God’s grace is sufficient. If He requires it He provides it, as we are in Him.

-by Tim A. Blankenship