The Bible tells of persons, particularly the chosen ones, who actually walked with God. Adam and Eve heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, . . .1 Enoch walked with God, and he was not, for God took him.2 . . . Noah was a righteous man, blameless in his generation. Noah walked with God.3 And God met Balaam. . .4 And countless others. God was their guide and counsel. I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you.5
When they erred, God would gilt them on their track with rhetorical questions. To Adam he said, “Where are you?”6 And God came to Balaam and said, “Who are these men with you?”7 Not that God doesn’t know; he is all knowing. For a man’s ways are before the eyes of the LORD, and he ponders all his paths.8 The eyes of the LORD are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good.9 By this we shall know that we are of the truth and reassure our heart before him; for whenever our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and he knows everything.10
Spot check! How is your heart? Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.11 Practice practical disciplines: 1. Shield your ears and guard your tongue. Put away from you crooked speech, and put devious talk far from you;12 2. Direct your eyes. Let your eyes look directly forward, and your gaze be straight before you;13 and 3. Filter your thoughts. Ponder the path of your feet; then all your ways will be sure.14
For you are not a God who delights in wickedness; evil may not dwell with you. The boastful shall not stand before your eyes; you hate all evildoers. You destroy those who speak lies; the LORD abhors the bloodthirsty and deceitful man.15 Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. And let us not grow weary in doing good, for in due season we will reap if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity; let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.16
But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them ever sing for joy, and spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may exult in you. For you bless the righteous, O LORD; you cover him with favor as with a shield.17
When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. And going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.18
Notes:
1. Genesis 3:8
2. Genesis 5:22
3. Genesis 6:9
4. Numbers 23:4
5. Psalm 32:8
6. Genesis 3:9
7. Numbers 22:9
8. Proverbs 5:21
9. Proverbs 15:3
10. 1 John 3:19-20
11. Proverbs 4:23
12. Proverbs 4:24
13. Proverbs 4:25
14. Proverbs 4:26
15. Psalm 5:4-6
16. Galatians 6:7-10
17. Psalm 5:11-12
18. Matthew 2:10-11
