Though God is the Creator who created all things and upholds them with His power, He still delights in walking with the highest of His creation,man. He is open and ready for a robust relationship with man.
In Genesis 5:22, the Bible says Enoch walked with God in spite of the fact that he was human and engaged in all that humans engage in. Enoch was a father (he had sons and daughters) and definitely must have been a husband. He had a home and, like all of us, provided for his household. Of course, at that time his parents, grandparents, and probably all his extended family were still around. Still, he must have pleased the Creator for God to walk with him.
He had such a deep relationship with God that it got to the point where God took him. It was as if, instead of God coming daily to relate with him, He decided that Enoch should just come over and stay permanently with Him in heaven, without going through the transportation vehicle all humans are to use, which is death. God took him.
Some of us have friends and even BFFs (best friends for life). We want to see them daily, be with them, and discuss everything with them. This brings to mind what God said in Genesis 18:17: “And the LORD said, Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do?” It is like God saying, My relationship with Abraham is so important that I would not like him to hear that I did something without telling him, asking his opinion, or getting his input. What a relationship.
Some of us who are even married will not bother to request our spouse’s opinion on some issues because, to us, their opinions do not matter. Do not forget the fact that God is omnipotent, who created all things and sustains all things. So whatever Abraham’s opinion was, it had no power to add to God; however, his opinion was still important, and God valued His relationship with Abraham. So we see God agreeing to Abraham’s plea concerning Sodom and Gomorrah because of Lot and his family.
Another man like me and you, Noah, found favor with God (Genesis 6:8). God had a plan to destroy man whom He had made, and all other creatures, beasts, creeping things, and fowls of the air. Yet His relationship with Noah was so important that He decided to exempt Noah and all who willingly joined him in the ark. He made the necessary provisions to sustain them during the flood and for procreation after the flood.
All through the Bible, we see God calling on men, wanting to walk with them and to show them His ways and His delights. God has not hidden His likes and dislikes from His children. When you have a friend or spouse and you want the relationship to continue and grow in intensity, you take time to study and abide by what your spouse or friend wants or delights in. You go to the extent of altering your own life and sometimes even your outlook. You let go of things you know your friend does not like and, if need be, take on some things in an effort to appeal more to your friend.
You want at all times to conform to your BFF’s desires, even though you may have to alter your beliefs and nature. You will do all these to please a human being like yourself because you want to belong. A lot of youths are facing terrible peer pressure because they want to please an individual or group, even though there is really no advantage in it.
The Bible says you are fearfully and wonderfully made. All you need is God. You are your best self, and if another human will not accept you as you are with God, then you do not belong in that circle.
Jesus said in Matthew 11:28–30 that His yoke is easy and His burden is light. A relationship with God is not burdensome. What He requires from you is not beyond your ability, and moreover, it is for your good. Psalm 1:1–2 outlines what is expected of you:
1. Do not walk in the counsel of the ungodly. Do not take advice from those who have no relationship with God. Their advice is very likely to be contrary to God’s Word.
2. Do not stand in the way of sinners. Do not associate with sinners, those who do not value God and His commands, and who are not controlled by His Word.
3. Do not sit with the scornful, those who show disrespect, contempt, and disdain for godly things and for God; those who believe that being a child of God is beneath them; those who think Christianity is old-fashioned and only for the lowest or worst in life.
What is expected of you is this:
1. Delight in the law of God.
2. Meditate on it day and night.
3. Observe and do it wholeheartedly.
In Micah 6:8, you are shown what is good and what the LORD requires of you: to do justice, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God. Do not be puffed up because you are rich, beautiful, educated, or have worldly benefits. They can be destroyed in the twinkling of an eye, ask Job. It is only your relationship with God that has the ability to last forever.
That relationship puts all the resources of heaven and earth at your disposal. These treasures cannot be corrupted or stolen, and they bring no sorrow.
Friend, choose wisely. When you walk with God, there is no peer pressure or inferiority complex. In fact, God will come down to your level and lift you up to His own level. All you have to do is agree with Him (Amos 3:3).