The Power Sunday School Class

September 28, 2015

Allen Power

Genesis 6:8–9 (ESV)

⁸ But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord. ⁹ These are the generations of Noah. Noah was a righteous man, blameless in his generation. Noah walked with God.

Verse nine tells us, Noah “walked with God.” What does it mean to walk with someone?

I confess my sin: I’m a “fast walker.” My wife often reminds me of my habit of walking so briskly that I either get way ahead of her, or make keeping up with me more of a “fitness walk” (perhaps that’s why they call it “power-walking…just kidding). I’m especially guilty of this in an airport. Habit has made me a very focused walker moving from security to gate, etc. I sometimes forget to slow down when traveling with others, to walk WITH them, not ahead of them.
We do that with God don’t we? We’re running ahead with our own agenda; lagging behind and not keeping up; or worst of all, getting way off the path. Verse eight of Genesis six tells us Noah found “favor” in the eyes of the Lord. The New King James translates it: Noah found “grace.” I like that one! Because Noah had discovered the grace of God and been obedient, he became a righteous man who walked with God.

We can only walk with God if we’ve accepted his free gift of salvation by grace, through faith, and because of Jesus. The righteousness of Christ becomes a garment that covers our sin and gives us “walking privileges” with God the Father. Sadly, that doesn’t guarantee we’ll keep pace with Him.

The only way to walk WITH someone is to be in his or her presence. And how much fun would it be to walk with someone in silence? We need some conversation…some fellowship. That can only happen if we stay close and keep pace. Soon we’ll figure out that the walk is pleasant and fulfilling and not just getting from point “a” to point “b.”

Picture a little child holding Mom or Dad’s hand and walking right beside them. Imagine the sweet conversations as the parent fields the on-going questions spilling from that young mind. The child enjoys the attention and affection of just strolling beside the parent. The parent enjoys the time with the child. The child is reassured that if danger or storms show up, the parent will lovingly carry and protect. Sounds like a nice walk, right?

Once we find and respond to the grace of God, we need to walk with Him. We need to check daily to be sure we’re not running ahead; lagging behind; or wandering off on a different path. We need to keep going in the same direction; on the same path; at the same pace. We can only do that through time with Him in His word and in prayer. Instead of running yourself ragged today, why not slow down and WALK with your Heavenly Father?