Day By Day By Grace

Bob Hoekstra

October 23, 2008

Enoch's Pleasing Walk with God, by Faith

By faith Enoch was translated so that he did not see death, "and was
not found because God had translated him"; for before his translation
he had this testimony, that he pleased God. But without faith it is
impossible to please Him. (Hebrews 11:5-6)

It is the will of God that we learn to walk in a manner pleasing to the
Lord: "that you may have a walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him"
(Colossians 1:10). Again, such godly living can only be developed by
faith. Much helpful insight into such a life is provided in Enoch's
pleasing walk with God, by faith.

Enoch was one of our earliest forefathers. "Enoch lived sixty-five
years, and begot Methuselah" (Genesis 5:21). After the birth of
Methuselah (who became, at 969 years, the oldest man ever on earth),
Enoch began a three hundred year long journey of close fellowship with
God. "After he begot Methuselah, Enoch walked with God three hundred
years" (Genesis 5:22). After three centuries of spiritual intimacy,
Enoch was taken into heaven without experiencing death. "And Enoch
walked with God; and he was not, for God took him" (Genesis 5:24).
Enoch's intimacy with God and his unique homegoing were related to a
life of reliance upon the Lord. "By faith Enoch was translated so that
he did not see death; for before his translation he had this
testimony, that he pleased God." Of course, what was so pleasing to God
about Enoch's walk was his trust in the Lord. "But without faith it is
impossible to please Him."

Enoch is a wonderful reminder of what life is all about--walking with
God by faith throughout our days on earth, then walking right on into
the presence of God in heaven someday. Many will eventually do this,
like Enoch, without facing death. "For the Lord Himself will descend
from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the
trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are
alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to
meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord" (1
Thessalonians 4:16-17). Others may face death, but the key ingredient
of fellowship on earth right on into heaven is the same. "I am
continually with You; You hold me by my right hand. You will guide me
with Your counsel, And afterward receive me to glory" (Psalm 73:23-24).

Dear God of heaven and earth, I desire to please You by a life of faith
here on earth. Help me to walk closely with You day by day throughout
my pilgrimage here below. I eagerly anticipate the day that I will
forever be with You in the fullness of Your glorious presence in heaven
above, Amen.