Faith Series

As I was preparing this Series of Messages on Faith from Hebrews 11, I came across the following blog "All for God's Glory"as I was researching about Enoch, the man in Gen 5:21-24 who walked God and was taken before his physical death. He is also the ancestor of Noah, which carries the lineage of the faithful.  I guess since it is so well written, I shall not re-invent the wheel...

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Walking With God, Like Enoch

Walking with God. Impossible?

Enoch did it.

And when the LORD looked at Enoch's life, He decided that Enoch's walk was so good that Enoch needed to skip the pains of death and come on up to heaven. What was his life like? We must be able to learn some things from him.

Does Enoch have the hidden key that will unlock our understanding of walking with God?

Genesis 5:21-24 summarizes the high points of Enoch's life:

Enoch was 65 years old when he fathered Methuselah. And after the birth of Methuselah,Enoch walked with God 300 years and fathered ⌊other⌋ sons and daughters. So Enoch’s life lasted 365 years. Enoch walked with God; then he was not there because God took him.

Notice that the most significant events in Enoch's life included being the father to many sons and daughters, and walking with God.

The Hebrew word translated "walk" is הָלַךְ ("halak"). What is amazing about this word is that it describes the way Enoch walked with God. You might think this word describes some special pace set by Enoch, some special series of encounters, or something like that. Amazingly, however, this is the most common word that could have been used to describe a person walking. It's the word that describes how a boat goes across a lake, the way a biker rides his bike, the way any person goes anywhere, the way someone gets from here to there. Enoch simply walked with God.

A simple, steady walk with God.

And what did God think of Enoch's walk?

Hebrews 11:5-6 says,

By faith Enoch was taken away so he did not experience death, and he was not to be found because God took him away. For prior to his removal he was approved, since he had pleased God. Now without faith it is impossible to please God, for the one who draws near to Him must believe that He exists and rewards those who seek Him.

God was pleased with Enoch's walk.

Here are four things that we learn from Hebrews 11:5-6 about Enoch's walk with God:

1. Walking with God is pleasing God. You want to please God? Walk with Him. Simple, steady, day after day, month after month, year after year.

2. Enoch had a testimony because of his walk with God. Enoch's walk gave him a story he could tell others. Sometimes we glamorize the extreme testimonies (for instance, when a drug addict turns to Jesus) but minimize the powerful testimony of someone who has walked with God all of their life. Let's celebrate with all of those who are walking with Jesus!

3. It is possible to please God! Without faith it is impossible to please God, but with faith it is possible.

4. Faith leads you to believe two things about God: 1) believe God exists, and 2) believe that He rewards those who seek Him. A person who walks with God will walk with Him during good days and bad days. You know God is always there. God exists. Also, you will seek Him. This Greek word ἐκζητέω (ekzeteo) means "to crave, to investigate." A person who walks with God craves a walk with Him, knowing that He rewards those who walk with Him with blessings that are out of this world!

Let me give you five suggestions for a simple, steady, powerful, life-changing walk with God.

1. Develop a daily routine of time alone with God. Build this into your daily schedule. It is that important. Read the Bible. Pray. Think. Reflect. Respond.

2. Keep your eyes open when you pray. It is fine to pray with your eyes closed, to help you block out the world's distractions. But when you walk with God, you better keep your eyes open when you're walking down the sidewalk.

3. Learn to apply the Word of God to your life. Here's an acrostic that may help you look for ways to apply Scriptures to your life. Look for a:

Sin to confess

Promise to keep

Attitude to change

Command to obey

Example to follow

4. Pray the Word of God. Read the Bible, and turn the Scriptures into a prayer to God. When you are saying God's Word back to Him as a prayer, you know it pleases Him. And it is best for you.

5. Don't say "amen." Too often, when we say "amen" at the end of our prayers, we are saying, "God, I'll see you later." And we forget about Him until we pray again. When you walk with God, you will learn to make your life a continual prayer to God. You'll never stop talking and listening to Him.

Walk with God, like Enoch. You'll experience heaven on earth.