Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day.

            ~Genesis 3:8a NIV

Walking with God is much like one weekend when I took a walk with a good friend.

When we greeted each other, we giggled. We hadn’t seen each other in weeks. While we walked around the loop in my neighborhood, we talked freely about our families, jobs, health, and the little things. I shared a smoothie recipe, and she asked where I got my haircut. We even discussed our landscaping. Everything felt easy and out in the open. When we parted, we smiled and said, “It was good catching up.”

But what about taking a walk with God? When we think about spending time with God, what emotions do we feel? How free are we to share? Does our time with Him feel like good friends catching up?

When we look at the early days after God created Adam and Eve, we see He wanted to spend time with them. But when they took the forbidden fruit, they stopped walking with God, covered themselves, and hid. God called, “Where are you?” And the man answered, “I was afraid because I was naked, so I hid.”

Nakedness leaves us vulnerable to shame and scrutiny. We often feel this way after we sin. At times, God’s holy character feels too big and awful to approach Him. But God made a way out of our nakedness. Jesus humbled Himself as a servant and sacrificed Himself on our behalf. He clothed our nakedness with His righteous garments and now invites us to come out of hiding–unashamed and unafraid.

For He has clothed me with garments of salvation, He has wrapped me with a robe of righteousness, As a bridegroom decks himself with a garland, And as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.

                  –Isaiah 61:10 NASB

 

Sin keeps us from the refreshment of walking with God in the cool of the day. Despite their sin, God pursued a relationship with Adam and Eve–and He pursues us too. Although God is holy, He is merciful. Through Jesus, we can come confidently to the Father.

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.

                  ~Hebrews 4:14-16 ESV

If we are tempted to hide from God, we don’t have to cover up. We have spiritual clothes. We are not naked but clothed in Jesus’ righteous clothes. He makes us beautiful. We don’t have to let shame, fear, or mistakes keep us from walking with God.

So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.

                   ~Hebrews 4:16 NLT

Come to God and tell Him everything on your heart, knowing you are adorned with the purity of Christ. The enemy wants us to hide from God, but be of good cheer. God made a way to restore us through the blood of Christ.

Think of some things you can talk with God about when you walk with Him.

Father, thank you for inviting me to walk with You. I desire to know Your ways. You are merciful and clothe me with the righteous robes of Jesus. Show me if there is something I’m keeping from You. Revive and refresh my spirit. Amen.

Genre: Non-fiction

Copyright 2023: Walking with God: Lynn Head: All Rights Reserved