Tag: walk by faith

“Just Live It!”

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

There are lives you read about or discover through other means that just make you wonder a little about how they did what they did.  Heroic tales of one coming through horrible circumstances with a story of deliverance for all ages.  Another’s strength and fortitude to carry on despite physical or challenging circumstances and more.  And still many others, in varied scenarios, whose biographies you read and stories you study, and you wonder what I can glean from that life, if anything, to steer me in my life’s journey.

But then, you have stories such as Enoch where you are not given many details to go by.  You know his story is special.  You know it’s significant.  And you are even given the reason why his story stands out.  But you are not given the how – how, what are the details?

There are just a few verses dedicated to this life without much information beyond the basic information of life and lineage being supplied.  But the most significant thing we do know about him is, “Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him,” Genesis 5:24.

Hebrews 11:5 gives us another window to peer through, but with the same ending we found in Genesis: “By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.”  And other than a recorded prophecy in Jude, this is all that we know about him – but may I submit, it’s enough.

Humanity wants to know the details.   The human way of thinking wants to know how exactly he “walked with God” to experience such a miracle.  How exactly did he please God for God to just translate him from this life?

There is no checklist given.  There is no list of do’s and do not’s according to Enoch to follow to replicate his experience.

I, personally, am glad for the silence of the missing particulars.  For what they tell us is to just live it!  Live this life in faith and stop looking for a formula to follow.  Live this life in constant communion with God.  Live that the steps we take and the decisions we make may be pleasing in the eyes of our heavenly Father as well.

We don’t need to know the specifics of what Enoch did to try to gain our own “translation” moment.  All we need to know is what God has called each of us to.  What obedience and heart of devotion laid out in Scripture He asks us to live by.

If we had needed additional information on the hows and whys of Enoch’s moment in history, I believe that God would have made sure it was written in these holy pages.  Rather, I believe we are called to just live it – have a made-up mind to live for God for ourselves.  Watch our walk.  Ask, are my steps pleasing to the Father, and if not, how do I realign them?

The life of the faithful has numerous rewards promised to us in the Bible, such as:

“So that a man shall say, Verily there is a reward for the righteous: verily he is a God that judgeth in the earth.” – Psalm 58:11

“A faithful man shall abound with blessings…” – Proverbs 28:20

“I the Lord search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.” – Jeremiah 17:10

“He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much…” – Luke 16:10

“His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.” – Matthew 25:21

“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.” – 1 Corinthians 15:58

“And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.” – Colossians 3:23, 24

“And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.” – Revelation 22:12

But may our love focus our hearts on the God who has redeemed us, and let that flame of devotion burn deeply within.  Let it guide us to desire nothing short of, “I want to put a smile on the face of my heavenly Father.”

We may not experience a translation moment due to it, but a life of faithfulness will bring us into fellowship with God and in His presence forevermore (Psalm 16:11). 

My friend set not your heart on the details.  Set your heart on just living it.  That is what we glean from the life of Enoch, and leave the results and rewards to God.  What we don’t know about his life doesn’t matter as much as what we do know.  And what we do know is all of us, regarding our walk with God, are called to walk it out by faith (2 Corinthians 5:7).

“Order my steps in thy word…” Psalm 119:133

“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Matthew 6:33

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We Will Get There!

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“But not long after there arose against it a tempestuous wind, called Euroclydon.  And when the ship was caught, and could not bear up into the wind, we let her drive.” Acts 27:14-15, Read Acts 27

Tempest-tossed and storm-worn.  The waves of this world crash about us, around us, and sometimes within us.  What do we do?

When we did not heed proper directions, but sailed the course that we thought was right.  What do we do?

When considerable time has passed and many days have been spent in the dark, and the helps that we use is no help at all, what do we do?

Our Euroclydon may not be wind-driven, but it is just as opposing and just as fierce as if we were upon that boat drifting at the mercy of the raging waters.  We try to redirect.  We try to fight our way through, but we can’t seem to catch the way on our own. 

In our own power, we run, strike the sail, and even try to lighten the ship.  Everything we try is to no avail but then God steps in to send a word.

For Paul, it was through an angel.  For us, it can come through a preacher, a friend, a song, or from the authority of His Holy Word itself. 

Belief sets in and courage is awakened in the storm. 

Soundings are then made – let’s see how deep this goes.  Anchors are dropped to hold her steady from the motion of the raging seas.  The day comes, and while we may not recognize the place where we are, the morning light shows us the safety of the land ahead. 

Raise the anchors and commit to moving ahead! The shoreline is coming close and if we persevere, we will get there. 

Don’t give up, dear one.  And stop trying to do it on your own or figure it out on your own.  We will never see our whole life from the perspective that God sees it, so we must let it drive forward in faith (2 Corinthians 5:7).

Friends, we have all had storms to ride out or weather through, but our God is faithful to His promises.  If He declared we will get there, we will get there.  Even if tempests, storms, disruptions, and brokenness is the route, we will get there. 

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