“The Lord invites us into a life of fullness and love.”
Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – April 19, 2025
When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to Abram and said to him, “I am Almighty God; walk before Me and be blameless.” Genesis 17:1, NKJV
“Walk before me” is an interesting phrase, isn’t it? I cannot easily think of a scenario in which I would use it. I might invite a friend to walk with me, or ask a child to walk next to me, but what does it mean to walk before me?
Interestingly, the word used in Genesis 17 is the Hebrew word for “face.” In a sense, the Lord is saying, “Stay face-to-face with me,” or as I might say to my kids when they’re adventuring at the park, “Stay where I can see you!” Though virtually all English Bibles use the turn of phrase “walk before me,” the Christian Standard Bible does point us helpfully in this direction, instead saying, “Live in my presence and be blameless.”
It is important to note that this admonition is for our sakes, not his. If I tell my children to stay in my presence, it’s usually because I otherwise do not know where they are and can lose track of them. This would be a silly thing for the Lord to say, for where can we run from his presence (Psalm 139:7)? No, these words are for us, inviting us into a way of life that is for our good and leads to abundant life!
“Walk before me and be blameless” is not a veiled threat from a stern disciplinarian but is an invitation into a life of fullness and love. Deuteronomy 10:12 tells us “to fear the Lord” and “walk in all his ways.” So God won’t be mad at you? So you can have him off your back? No and no. “To love him,” Deuteronomy tells us. Love alone is our aim, and we seek a blameless life so we can be made able, by his grace, to live in his presence and enjoy it, for this is the end for which each of us was made and the fulfillment of the soul’s deepest longing.
Prayer
Father, we long to live fully in your presence, without fear or shame, so to instead know what it means to be loved by you and love you in return. By your mercy, lead us into this way of life we pray, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Application
Take time today to reflect upon this phrase “walk before me,” and seek to live your life in the presence of God without shame or fear.
Related Reading
1 Kings 2:4; Psalm 116:9; Micah 6:8
Worship Resource
Matt Maher and Brian Elmquist: Only Good Will Grow
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