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Words: Avis Marguerite Burgeson Christiansen (b. Oct. 11, 1895; d. Jan. 14, 1985).
Music: Haldor Lillenas (b. Nov. 19, 1885; d. Aug. 18, 1959)
Links:
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Hymnary.org
Note: Encouraged by her godly grandmother, Avis wrote her first poem at the age of ten. Then, beginning in 1916, and for 60 years afterward, she wrote dozens of fine gospel songs. She lived her entire life in the city of Chicago, and was married to Ernest Christiansen, a vice president of Moody Bible Institute. The couple had two daughters. In 1918 Avis Christiansen wrote a hymn about walking with the Lord that reflects something of the delight she found in that.
Early on in the Bible “walking” with the Lord is used to describe one who lives according to the will of God, and lives in fellowship with Him, day by day. It is a life of consistent faith and obedience toward God. Both Enoch (Gen. 5:22) and Noah (Gen. 6:9) are said to have walked with God.
In the era covered by the four Gospels, Christ was on earth, and it was possible for His followers to walk with the Lord in a physical sense. There we read of the experience of a couple on the road to Emmaus, after Christ’s death and resurrection. “So it was, while they conversed and reasoned, that Jesus Himself drew near and went with them” (Lk. 24:15). Their later response, looking back, is revealing: “They said to one another, ‘Did not our heart burn within us while He talked with us on the road, and while He opened the Scriptures to us?’” (vs. 32).
Today, it’s different. We walk by faith, not by sight” (II Cor. 5:7). But through faith we are able to fellowship with the Lord, in His Word, and by prayer. “whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory” (I Pet. 1:8).
CH-1) It is glory just to walk with Him whose blood has ransomed me;
It is rapture for my soul each day.
It is joy divine to feel Him near where’er my path may be.
Bless the Lord, it’s glory all the way!
It is glory just to walk with Him,
It is glory just to walk with Him,
He will guide my steps aright
Through the vale and o’er the height,
It is glory just to walk with Him.
Most of us enjoy a pleasant walk, over relatively easy terrain, on a sunny, warm day, with the beauty of nature all around us, and perhaps a friend to enjoy the experience with us. But it wouldn’t be so enjoyable in a violent wind storm, a crashing thunderstorm with torrents of rain, or when feeling our way in the dark along a narrow ledge over a towering precipice. What if you’re walking into possible danger?
What I’m trying to illustrate is the difference in daily experience between good times and bad, between pleasurable days and painful days, delightful days and difficult days. It’s easier to imagine the Lord is with us when “skies above are clear,” as Mrs. Christiansen puts it. But what about “when the shadows fall.” We have His faithful word of promise that He will not abandon us, even then.
“He Himself has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you’” (Heb. 13:5).
The Greek for the word “never” in that verse is ou me. It is a very strong expression, meaning: not under any circumstances, not under any conditions. Here is what the Amplified Bible does with it.
“He [God] Himself has said, ‘I will not in any way fail you nor give you up nor leave you without support. [I will] not, [I will] not, [I will] not in any degree leave you helpless nor forsake nor let [you] down (relax My hold on you)! [Assuredly not!].’”
CH-2) It is glory when the shadows fall to know that He is near.
O what joy to simply trust and pray!
It is glory to abide in Him when skies above are clear.
Yes, with Him, it’s glory all the way!
Finally, in heaven, we look forward to the joy of walking with the Lord forever. It’s then “the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will shepherd them [the saints] and lead them to living fountains of waters” (Rev. 7:17). And as David declares, “You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore” (Ps. 16:11).
CH-3) ’Twill be glory when I walk with Him on heaven’s golden shore,
Never from His side again to stray.
’Twill be glory, wondrous glory with the Saviour evermore,
Everlasting glory all the way!
Questions:
1) What circumstance have you faced in the last week for which it’s encouraging to know the Lord has been with you?
2) What do you do when it doesn’t feel as though He’s near?
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