Walking with God

“They heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day.”—Genesis 3:8 NASB

C. Austin Miles was moved by the story of Mary Magdalene’s encounter with Jesus after the resurrection. As he imagined the scene, Miles envisioned Mary coming down a gently winding path through the garden to approach the empty tomb. As she wept, she turned and saw Jesus standing there.

Responding to this story, Miles wrote “In the Garden,” a hymn that described an intimate relationship with God. He wrote, “He walks with me, and He talks with me, and He tells me I am His own. And the joys we share as we tarry there, none other has ever known.” What a wonderful picture of the kind of fellowship God wants to have with each of us.

This is the kind of relationship God had with Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. We picture them in unbroken fellowship as He walked and talked with them—until their sin caused them to hide from Him and avoid the fellowship He desired.

Sin and the cares of this world can keep us from fellowship with God. But He desires to have truly intimate fellowship with us. He does not want us merely going to church, rushing through Bible reading, or praying shallow, superficial prayers. He wants us to know Him as a person and spend quality time with Him.

Remember, God wants an intimate relationship with you. Walk and talk with Him throughout this day. Share your burdens with Him.

Reflection Question: What can you do today to foster a closer relationship with Jesus?