“Walk Before Me”
A couple of months ago I retired from my full time editorial job. I did not, however, retire from writing and editing. In fact, I hope the extra hours will result in more writing on my blog—and more books.
In addition to more time for writing, I also have more time for reading and study. Since it’s been a long time since I went through Genesis, that’s where I’m starting my new study time each morning.
Along with my reading of Scripture, I have a few study tools by my side. One is Notes on the Pentateuch by C.H. Mackintosh (1820-1896), first published in 1880.
In his commentary on Genesis 17, Mackintosh gives us the secret to a happy future…if we’ll just do life God’s way.
The chapter opens with God speaking to Abraham:
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.
Mackintosh comments:
“Walk before me.” This is true power. To walk thus, implies our having nothing whatever before our hearts save God Himself. If I am founding my expectation upon men and things, I am not walking before God, but before men and things. It is of the utmost importance to ascertain who or what I have before me as an object. To what am I looking? On whom or what am I leaning at this moment? Does God entirely fill my future? Have men or circumstances ought to do therein? Is there any space allotted to the creature? The only way in which to get above the world is to walk by faith, because faith so completely fills the scene with God, that there is no room for the creature, no room for the world. If God fills up my entire range of vision, I can see nothing else; and then I am able to say with the Psalmist, “My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him. He only is my rock and my salvation: he is my defence, I shall not be moved” (Psalms 62:5-6).
When I read those words, I think about the approaching new year and my future. Mackintosh asks “Does God entirely fill my future?” I ask, “Does God entirely fill my 2016?” Am I going to “walk before Him”? Will I have Him as my sole object? Will I so walk by faith that “there is no room for the creature, no room for the world”?
Will I allow God to fill up my entire range of vision, so that I see nothing else? That’s my goal for the future. Will you join me in making it yours too? I believe Christians in America will be facing hard times in the future. Only those who have committed to “walk before” God will be able to stand.
Let’s stand in 2016 and beyond.
Nick, so glad you touched on this. It so needs to be reiterated through the body of Christ. We get so caught up with outside distractions and sometimes forget who we belong to. Thanks for sharing.
Glad you liked it, Arelia.
Absolutely true! and challenging. Thank you, Nick, for beginning at the beginning. “In the beginning, God…” And in the end, God.
“If God fills up my entire range of vision, I can see nothing else.” Magnificent words to encounter this morning, Nick. Thank you!
Hello Nick. Isn’t it a wonder when a difficult life is simplified by the obedience to God by walking in His truth which He gave us through His son. My book 2 will be on Mariah’s journey in learning to stay focused on Jesus and the joy and peace that comes with it.