LET MY WORDS BE FEW

 Week 11: Genesis 5:1-8:14

Day 4: Enoch walked with God; How can I?

READ: Genesis 5:22-24; Hebrews 11:5-6; Genesis 6:9

EXPLORE:

Today, we explore what it must have meant, for Enoch to live in such a way, that he was taken to heaven by God without experiencing physical death! How can one live before God, in such a well-pleasing way? First, who was this man Enoch? Enoch was the great-great-great-great- grandson of Adam, as well as the great-grandfather of Noah. Enoch was an antediluvian Patriarch—who lived before the deluge of the world-wide flood. Enoch’s great-grand son, Noah was a righteous man and the only blameless person who lived on the earth during his days. Hebrews 11:5 tells us a little about how Enoch walked with God. First of all, he walked by faith. This type of faith pleased God so much that Enoch was caught up and taken to heaven so that he would not have even a glimpse of death! If you have ever watched a loved one linger and suffer a drawn out death, you can just imagine how blessed Enoch was! Enoch left behind a testimony that we still read to this very day—that he walked with God and God was well- pleased. The word walk in Hebrew indicates that Enoch “walked back and forth” with God. Psalm 73:24 says God guides me with His counsel, and later receives me in glory. Isn’t this all we hope for? Hebrews 11:1 indicates Enoch participated in the God-kind of faith. Faith being the assurance (title deed, confirmation) of things hoped for (divinely guaranteed), and the evidence of things not seen [the conviction of their reality—faith comprehends as fact what cannot be experienced by the physical senses]. Without faith, Enoch could not have walked close with God, nor could he have pleased God. For whoever comes near to God must certainly believe God exists and that He rewards those who diligently seek Him. By faith, Noah also had faith and walked back and forth with God.

I often wonder if Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Elijah and others walked with God so closely, because perhaps every thought these men experienced, from within, or without, were turned into conversations with their Creator. Years ago, I had the idea from God, to turn every thought into a prayer conversation with God. I got this thought when reading about Eve’s temptation. I realized Eve only had to be tempted by satan’s words and suddenly she was having a conversation with herself! She, having a conversation with her flesh, determined that the fruit was good for food and could make her wise. I thought, how could this temptation have turned out differently, if Eve would have instead, turned to her God and asked Him, ”The Serpent just told me this, but what do you say, God?”

We are told that in Christ, we are a new creation. The old man has passed away and the new has come. Though we have not seen Him physically, we love Him and believe in Him and rejoice with an inexpressible and glorious joy. For in this hope, we were saved; but hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he can already see? So, we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but what is unseen. For what we see is temporary and what we do not yet see is eternal.

Our hope is not in this life but in eternity, where we will forever be with the Lord. As we live on this earth, we must remember we are not of this world. We have another dwelling place above. As we walk back and forth, in continual prayer and conversations with God, and as we study the Word of God daily—because we love Him and want to please Him—He will guide us with His counsel and later receive us into glory.

APPLY:

- Question: To walk with God, we must walk in the Spirit. To walk in the Spirit is to be filled with the Spirit. When filled with the Spirit, the fruit of the Spirit will manifest in your life: Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Gentleness, Faithfulness and Self-Control. Does your life currently exhibit the fruit of the Spirit?

- Question: Those who long to walk closely with God, follow the leading of the Holy Spirit daily. They allow the “Word of Christ to dwell in them richly” (see Col 3:16). 2 Timothy 3:16 teaches us that the Spirit of God uses the Word of God “for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness”. Would you like to experience a walk, that pleases God? By knowing God through His Word and being filled daily with His Spirit, this is the way. Would you be willing to turn your every thought into prayerful conversations with your Creator God? He loves you like no other!

- Question: Will you pray this prayer: Father, fill me with your Holy Spirit and immerse me in your truth. I want to please you and be a testimony of your grace in my life. In Jesus’ name and for His name’s sake, amen.