O for a Closer Walk with God

BIBLE REFERENCE:

And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him. Genesis 5:24

These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations,
and Noah walked with God. Genesis 6:9

Judge me, O LORD; for I have walked in mine integrity: I have trusted also in the LORD; therefore
I shall not slide. Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; try my reins and my heart. For thy
lovingkindness is before mine eyes: and I have walked in thy truth. Psalms 26:1-3

I am the LORD thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt: open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it.
But my people would not hearken to my voice; and Israel would none of me. So I gave them up unto their own hearts' lust: and they walked in their own counsels. Oh that my people had hearkened unto me, and Israel had walked in my ways! Psalms 81:10-13

In those days was Hezekiah sick unto death. And Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz came unto him, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Set thine house in order: for thou shalt die, and not live. Then Hezekiah turned his face toward the wall, and prayed unto the LORD, And said, Remember now, O LORD, I beseech thee, how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy sight. And Hezekiah wept sore. Isaiah 38:1-3

And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked. 1 John 2:3-6

HYMN HISTORY:

William Cowper was the son of the chaplain to King George II in Great Berkhamstead, England. He was born on November 15, 1731, During his early life Cowper moved to the village of Olney, where he began a great friendship with young John Newton, pastor of the Olney Anglican parish church. In 1799, newton and Cowper produced the famous Olney Hymns Hymnal , one of the most important contribution made to the field of hymnody. Out of the entire collection of 349 hymns, sixty-seven were written by Cowper and the remainder by Newton.

While living in Olney, Cowper stayed at the home of his Aunt, Mrs. Unwin, who remained a guardian and very devoted friend till the end of her days. This home is now a very popular museum in Olney, containing interesting relics, books and portraits of Cowper and Newton and friends. Behind the home is the lovely garden where Cowper and Newton met nearly every day to work on their hymns. “O for a Closer Walk With God” was written on December 9, 1769, during the serious illness of Cowper’s dear friend, Mrs. Unwin. In a letter written the following day, referring to this event, Cowper wrote:

She is the chief of blessings I have met within my journey since the Lord was pleased to call me... Her illness has been a sharp trial to me. Oh, that it may have been a sanctified effect, that I may rejoice to surrender up to the Lord my dearest comforts, the moment He may require them... I began to compose the verses yesterday morning before daybreak but fell asleep at the end of the first two lines: When I awakened, the third and fourth were whispered to my heart in a way which I have often experienced.

The hymn first appeared in Collection of Psalms and Hymns , compiled by William Cowper, in 1772. Later on when it was included in the Olney Hymns Hymnal , Book 1, it was called “Walking With God,” based on, Genesis 5:24 And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him.

“O for a Closer Walk With God” reflects the inner struggles of William Cowper’s sensitive soul and his desire to experience the serenity of God’s abiding presence in his life.

John Bacchus Dykes composed the tune which was named “Beatitudo”. He was one of England’s leading church musicians of the nineteenth century. Dykes was born on March 10, 1823, in Hull England. He received his training at Cambridge University and later was awarded an honorary Doctor of Music degree from Durham University. During his career Dykes is credited with composing 300 hymn tunes, many of which are still widely used today: “Melita” - Eternal Father, Strong to Save, “Nicaea” - Holy, Holy, Holy, “Vox Dilecti” - I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say, “St. Agnes” - Jesus the Very Thought of Thee, and “Lux Benigna” - Lead, Kindly Light. The tune “Beatitudo” was originally composed by John Dykes for the hymn text “How Bright These Glorious Spirits Shine,” which appeared in the 1875 edition of the Hymns Ancient and Modern hymnal. “Beatitude” was a word coined by Cicero, meaning “the condition of blessedness.”

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

This Hymn writer William Cowper used the following scripture text as his inspiration for the hymn “O for a Closer Walk With God.”

And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him. Genesis 5:24

Godliness is walking with God: which shows reconciliation to God, for Can two walk together, except they be agreed? Amos 3:3

It includes all the parts of a godly, righteous, and sober life. To walk with God, is to set God always before us, to act as always under his watchful eye. Walking in a manner that is pleasing to God, and in nothing offending or bringing shame to him. The Holy Spirit, instead of saying, Enoch lived, says, Enoch walked with God. This was Enoch’s constant care and work; while others lived to themselves and the world, he lived for God. It was the joy of his life.

In 2 Peter 1:4-6 we as believers are given exceeding great and precious promises:

Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; 2 Peter 1:4-6

The promises to those who are partakers of God's Divine nature, will cause us to inquire whether we are really renewed in the spirit of our minds and truly born again. As believers we must add knowledge to God’s virtue, by reading the Bible and studying the whole true and perfect will of God. We must add temperance to knowledge; and add to temperance, patience, or cheerful submission to the will of God. Tribulation worketh patience, whereby we bear our crosses and all calamities with submission and without complaints. To patience we must add godliness: this includes the holy affections and dispositions found in the true worshippers of God; who are children of the same Father, servants of the same Master, members of the same family, travellers to the same country, heirs of the same inheritance.

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