With Whom Do You Walk?

In a long reading of the opening chapters of 1 Chronicles, I read name after name, records of Israel’s history. In the text are scattered notes; about where a clan lived, about some event in a man’s life, and then there is this: "In earlier times Phinehas, son of Eleazar, was in charge of the gatekeepers, and the LORD was with him." (1 Chronicles 9:20, NIV) Phinehas, the gatekeeper, a security guard for the Temple, lives in the Bible as a man noted for his intimacy with God!  Not a lot of sermons get preached from those chapters. Sometimes we wonder why this long list of Hebrew names is even in the inspired Scripture.  Then, a line like that one jumps out. “And the LORD was with him.”

Could there be anything better to be said about a person?  “He was a really kind man,” is good but does not compare.  “He was very hard-working,” is good, too.  “She was amazingly creative and skilled to lead,” would be nice. But, “the Lord was with him,” has no equal.  When God’s Spirit fills our life, everything else finds the right order.  Those who walk closely with the Lord will be loving people for God is love. Those who know Him intimately will be faithful, steady, and committed to the things that actually matter.

There are few people who share similar reputations with Phinehas. Enoch, of whom we know little, "walked with God; then he was no more, because God took him away." (Genesis 5:24, NIV)  Mary, the mother of Jesus, even as a young woman, enjoyed a rich spiritual life.  The angel who brought her the news that she would be the mother of the Messiah said, “Greetings, favored woman! The Lord is with you!” (Luke 1:28, NLT)

We are tempted to turn these people into special saints, persons unlike us.  Truth is, they were ordinary people who chose to respond to the Presence of God and who came to be known to us for their deep relationship with the Lord.  Someday in the future, when someone is describing you will they say, “The Lord was with him.”?

Here’s the word from the Word.  Believe it, live it! I "beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God. Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace. For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future. …  (so) throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy." (Ephesians 4:1-4, 22-24, NLT)

Now Walk With God

Now walk with God

And He will be your dearest Friend,

Where'er you go,

In everything you do.

And may your life

Reflect His love to ev'ryone,

Now walk with God

And He will walk with you.

Otis Skillings

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