Skip to content

Just A Closer Walk

Just A Closer Walk
By Dennis Huebshman

The other night, my wife and I couldn’t find anything worth-while on TV. I went to YouTube on my cellphone, and called up a Pop song from the 1950’s. When it was over, I started to put the cellphone away, but my wife said to keep playing songs. For the next two hours, I relived part of my childhood, and she was introduced to many “oldies”. (emphasis mine throughout)

The time finally came to shut it down, so I played one last song. It was a recording by an East Texas Singer (Ray Price), and the song was, “Just a Closer Walk With Thee”. His version of this classical hymn overshadowed everything we had listened to.

When I looked up the origin of this hymn, I found the author is unknown. It possibly goes all the way back to pre-civil war days, and resembled a tune that slaves sung as they worked in the fields, about walking by the Lord’s side.

It should be noted here, I have heard this song performed all my life by many artists from every type of music; Country, Pop, Western and even Jazz. Up to this moment, it was just another good “church” song; however, this time it took on new meaning for me.

I have commented in the past about how the Holy Spirit will work in a person that is subject to be under His influence. (Believers mostly) Just as happens with my daily Bible reading, I have read the same passages time and time again, and always feel lifted up by the Word. On occasion, I will read a passage that suddenly takes on a new meaning that goes deeper than before. I firmly believe the Holy Spirit enlightens us as our hearts and minds open up to Him, and He knows when we are ready to receive new information. This is one reason I believe no one can ever fully understand every word in the Bible, but as we become ready, He will give us more of the intent that the Father meant for us to know.

We are seeing changes in this world that are unprecedented, and the divide between good and evil is very evident. Isaiah 5:20 comes to mind, “Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter”. Next is 1 Corinthians 1:18, “For the word of the cross is folly for those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved, it is the power of God.”

Having read 2 Thessalonians many times, Chapter 2 verse 11-12 appears to be coming to pass. “Therefore, God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false; (12) in order that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.”

Anyone who takes the time to listen to all the faux junk that is being given out as news, but is really just propaganda from the radical liberal left, can see the above verses in action. We have people in our congress that are trying to take down our Constitution that has worked very well since it was adopted over 200 years ago. There are those who are openly calling for this country to turn communist or socialist. Anti-Semitism is at an all time high world-wide, just as the prophecy writers told us it would be. Satan and his followers are extremely active in these last days.

Part of the message in Matthew 24:10-12 says, “And then, many will fall away and betray one another, and hate one another. (11) And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. (12) And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold.” This is meant mainly for the 7-year tribulation period, but we’re seeing definite preludes right now.

How about Paul’s message about the last days before the physical return of our Savior in 2 Timothy 3:2-5, “For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, (3) heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving God, (4) treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, (5) having the appearance of godliness, but denying such power. (and then the warning) Avoid such people.” Sounds like great advice, but all the above are increasing faster than those who are coming to the Savior.

Today, all of this is happening, and the rate just grows faster by the day. Many believers are asking, “How much longer, Dear Lord, before we’re taken out of here?” We know from biblical record; the Father will only put up with so much. He’s being patient for now, (2 Peter 3:9) but He knows the day, hour and even minute when He will send Jesus to take all true believers away from the 7-year period of wrath, that is definitely coming. This is a promise made to us in numerous verses which tells us we may have to endure persecutions, but as for the final wrath, we will be spared.

So, during these times that we are watching the world turn away from anything that pertains to the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, we look for comfort and strength that can only come from Him. We need the encouragement of the whole Trinity just to make it day by day. Those who are of the world are following their god – satan – and worship of him is now out in the open. We try to reach out to all those who are not saved so they would “Turn Their Eyes Upon Jesus”, but it’s taken as folly as given earlier.

“Just a Closer Walk With Thee” is our “call” to the Savior to strengthen and console us as we wait for His return. He knows our weaknesses, and wants us to know He will never leave or forsake us. (Deuteronomy 31:8; Deuteronomy 31:6; Hebrews 13:5-6; Isaiah 41:10-13 and many more).

Consider the words of the song, and imagine you are about to be in the presence of the Lord:

(V.1) I am weak, but thou art strong. Jesus, keep me from all wrong. I’ll be satisfied as long; as I walk, let me walk close to Thee.

(chorus) 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.

(V.2) Through this world of toils and snares; if I falter, Lord, who cares? Who with me my burden shares? None but thee, dear Lord, none but Thee. (chorus)

(V.3) When my feeble life is o’er; time for me will be no more. Guide me gently safely o’er; to Thy kingdom’s shore, to Thy shore. (chorus)

Jesus knows we have human weakness, and we are looking for assurances that only He can give. He will force no one to accept Him, but ALL who call on the name of the Lord will be saved. (Joel 2:32, Acts 2:21 and Romans 10:13)

Personally, I ask Him daily to stand by me; guide me; and lead me in His service, because there’s no one who has ever loved us as much as our Jesus. We are going to have issues with this world, and with those who are of this world. They will do whatever they can to turn us away from Him. Look at the business owners that are being challenged in courts just for refusing to succumb to the world’s ways. Jesus said it best when He told us we would have troubles in this world, but rejoice because He has overcome the world. (John 16:33)

Jesus experienced the evil nature of this world when He was here as a human. He can say with sincere conviction; He understands our trials. He was persecuted by His own people, who were supposed to be aware that He is the Messiah. We are close to the time that prophecy says we will leave here to be saved from God’s Wrath. This is the time we all need to ask the Savior to get “Closer” to us right up to the moment of His call. Once we have risen up to meet Him in the air, our trauma here will be over. Those who remain here will experience the worst time that this world has ever seen.

As the chorus of the song says, “Daily walking close to Thee”. Imagine when we can say “Eternally walking close to thee”, and be in His presence forever! Only those who have accepted Him as their Savior will be able to say this. All who have not, will be separated from Him forever. (Revelation 20:11-15)

It’s totally your choice; call out to Him today. Tomorrow could be too late.

Shalom! Maranatha! (Peace – Come Lord Jesus)

[email protected]

Back To Top