“Just a closer walk with thee….Grant it, Jesus is my plea…Daily walking close to thee…let it be, dear Lord, let it be.” The old hymn has a sentiment that many Christians share.  Our desire is a closer walk with God.  On one hand, I would say we can’t get any closer, he is inside us.

But I understand the sentiment of the feeling.  I often feel I could do more to build my relationship with Him. He wants time with us. I often get busy doing all the Christian things and must remind myself to slow down, sit quietly, and wait for Him to fill my cup back up.

As we go out and try to be Jesus to the world, we often pour out and pour out until we have nothing left to pour. Sitting quietly and meditating on His Word is a good way to refill our cup. As we meditate on Him and the Word, He will pour into the emptiness of our vessel.

When we ask to be stronger and have a closer walk, we are really telling Him to allow trials and tribulations in our lives. How else will we draw closer to Him? How else will we become spiritually stronger? How else can our lives be a testimony unless we are tested?

It is kind of like praying for patience.  It seems like if you ask for patience, the whole world is determined to do things that irritate you beyond belief.

James 1:2-3 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;  3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.

Romans 5:3-5 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; 4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope: 5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

The trying of our faith helps us to be patient. Being patient builds experience that gives us hope.  In the darkest times of life, we need hope that things will get better. Hope helps us to have faith that God will see us through whatever we face. It doesn’t matter how big the mountain or deep the valley is; we never walk alone. That is the greatest comfort we have as children of God. That we are never alone. We also have the comfort of knowing that God will take care of it all. We have no reason to fear.

Isaiah 43:1-2 But now thus saith the Lord that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine.   2 When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.

As we face our Red Sea, our lion’s den or fiery furnace, we have comfort knowing God can handle it. We will not drown, be torn apart or even smell like smoke from the fire. God has it all planned out and will lead and guide us every step of the way. He will deliver his people; we have this hope in the depths of our souls that he is with us. If we walk with Him and pray, “Just a closer walk with thee.”

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS