The Sovereign God of heaven and Creator of the universe has set forth in His Word exactly what he requires of His people. The prophet Micah writes that God denounced Israel for their disobedience to Him inspite of His kindness. God had already declared His ongoing commitment to Israel and told them (as His ‘bride’), “I will betroth you to Me in righteousness and in justice in steadfast love and in mercy” (Hosea 2:19). In response, Israel proposes to offer sacrifices to “make up” for the error of their sinful ways. But God told them He preferred an obedient and a spiritually minded people.
Micah makes it known that God was “resolute” about His holy and righteous demands on His people. “He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8). The text states “to walk humbly with your God.” Walking with God means being daily in His divine presence. and being mindful that He is the self-existent One, He is eternal, sovereign, almighty and the Most High.
OftenIn the scriptures, (as in the text) the word “walk” meansa “holy lifestyle.” It is God’s desire that His children have a “walking relationship” with Him as we talk with Him, and be obedient to Him. To walk with God means that our words are in agreement with His Word and that His word “is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and spirit, of joints and marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12). The Holy Bible is a “God Book” (“God breathed”) that teaches all that believers need to know about the christian life. It clearly separates spiritual things from non-spiritual things.
To walk humbly with God means obedience to His word and a full surrender and submission to His will, His way, and His purposes. It also requires “living by faith” since no one can please God otherwise. The Bible says, “Without faith it is impossible to please [God] for whoever would draw near to God must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who seek Him” (Hebrews 11:6). Faith glorifies God because faith believes that God exists, and that He has good and acceptable and perfect plans for us.
God told Abraham, “I am God Almighty, walk before Me and be blameless” (Genesis 17:1). If this command by God is treated lightly, we cannot be “blameless” before Him. Another situation of walking with God occurred when David stated, “I will walk before the Lord in the land of the living” (Psalm 116:9). When God raised up David to be Israel’s king, God said, “I have found in David the son of Jesse, a man after my heart, who will do all my will” (Acts 13:22). Even inspite of David’s failures, God said that of him. Also, “Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him” (Genesis 5:24). These verses highlight the importance of “walking with God.”
Walking with God may convey different things to different believers in our endeavors to live a godly life. However, God has set forth in His word principles and standards for spiritual growth and conduct for His people to embrace and put in practice. For example, our day-to-day communion with God, for meditation, prayer, and reading His word, thereby making Him the center of our lives.
Paul urged the Ephesian christians to let their lifestyle be consistent with their behavior. He writes, “I therefore, the prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called” (Ephesians 4:1). In contrast, an unsaved person is totally incapable of “walking humbly with God.” All believers in Jesus Christ have the Spirit of God “indwelling” them. “Anyone who does not have the Spirit of God, he is none of His” (Romans 8:9). To walk humbly with God also recognizes that He is always near to us and He will never leave us nor forsake us. What God promises He is able to perform. Continue “walking with God,” or make a start right now.