truewordlover
05-04-2007, 08:32 PM
I dream of going to the Holy Land. Imagine Gethsemane, Jerusalem, Bethlehem, the River Jordan, and the Sea of Galilee, the Wailing Wall, the hill Golgotha, and the empty tomb of my Savior. The question is, "What won't I see when I visit the Holy Land?" For starters, I will not find Enoch's tomb. Genesis 5:24 states, "Enoch walked with God; then he was no more, because God took him away." Why is that, you ask? Enoch walked with God. Impressive, wouldn't you say?
I will not see Noah's Ark. God's word tells us He instructed Noah to build one though. Hebrews 11:7 states, "By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. By his faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that comes by faith."
I will not see the burial place of Moses. Deuteronomy 34:6 states, "He buried him in Moab, in the valley opposite Beth Peor, but to this day no one knows where his grave is." What of David and his memorial? David "served his generation and fell on sleep" (Acts 13:36). I will not see Paul's burial place either yet he was a bond servant of Jesus Christ.
History tells us after Alexander the Great conquered the world he sat down and cried. Why? He had no more worlds to conquer. George Washington was known for being "first in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen." But Enoch was known to walk with God.
What an experience! How would it be to physically walk with God? To step on air and ride clouds with the heavenly host! In our Christian walk, we find ourselves either before Him, after Him, or with Him. God spoke to Abraham in Genesis 17:1 identifying himself as El-Shaddai (God Almighty). Abraham was told to serve God and live a blameless life. In that Abraham walked before God, his was a walk of perfection. Abraham lived looking for a Redeemer and his deeds were counted as righteousness. Those who walk after the Lord perform a work of obedience. Deuteronomy 13:4 instructs believers to keep His commandments, to obey Him, to hold and cling fast to our Heavenly Father. How do we walk with Him? We walk like Enoch.
Let's not forget walking with God is also a walk of friendship and fellowship. Before Adam's fall, he walked with the Lord in the cool of the day. Can you imagine strolling through Eden making small talk with God? What a way to end your day! Enoch had the same type of relationship. He strolled regularly with God speaking to him just like you would an old friend. God liked those conversations so much he took Enoch home to stay. How many of your friends like you so well they desire to live with you?
In John's first epistle, he writes walking with God implies harmony, friendship and fellowship with our Savior (I John 1:3-7). John tells us this makes our joy complete. Like a married couple in perfect unison or a son in stride with this father, so should our relationship be with our Heavenly Father.
We forget God desires our friendship. We forget He wants us to walk with Him. We forget He desires to be near us and is in continual pursuit of our fellowship. We forget He loves us so much He pitched his tent among us. John 1:14 tell us the Word was made flesh and came and dwelt among us! He passionately pursues His children like a star crossed lover.
Matthew Henry wrote in his commentary on Matthew 14, "Those are most pleasing to God that are best pleased with him; and they abound most in peace and joy in the Holy Ghost. They are approved by wise and good men; and the opinion of others is not to be regarded." God is most pleased with those that are pleased with Him! Isn't that amazing? God gets the biggest blessing out of believers that consider Him one! Was this what was so special about Enoch?
Enoch made a conscious decision to walk with God for three reasons. First, he was careful about his companions. Believers have a hard time walking with God and associating with those out of harmony with Him. We cannot walk with God and mirror the steps of an unrighteous man. Enoch did not walk in the counsel of ungodly men (Psalm 1:1). Enoch knew evil communication corrupts good manner and stains character (I Cor. 15:33). "Do two walk together unless they have agreed to do so"? (Amos 3:3) Believers should not be yoked to unbelievers for what do we have in common? (II Cor. 6:14-16). So, Enoch chose the best companion available God himself.
Second, Enoch walked close enough to God to please Him (Heb. 11:15). This verse tells us Enoch was translated. That means God took him to heaven alive! Enoch never saw death's door. Enoch said like David, "I will walk in your truth" (Ps. 86:11). As the prophet wrote in Micah 4:5, "All the nations may walk in the name of their gods; we will walk in the name of the LORD our God for ever and ever." No matter the cost, whatever the sacrifice, Enoch was determined to walk with his God. To him, it was the most pleasant and profitable profession he could possibly pursue.
Third, Enoch was cautious about his direction. Direction determines destiny. So, decision determines direction which, in turn, determines your destiny. If you recall, Lot pitched his tent toward Sodom (Gen. 13:12). Lot decided to go to Sodom, the direction he went determined his destiny. Lot threw the importance of direction to the wind and lost his heart, his home, his happiness, his righteousness and his wife. Lot allowed Sodom to lure him away from what was pleases God. But Enoch, walked with God. Enoch walked with God's direction, in step with Him, eyes fixed on Him not man or what the world has to offer.
Was it profitable for a time for Lot to reside in Sodom? Of course it was! Sodom was a beautiful city filled with successful people according to the world's standards. Lot felt like he moved up in the world when he pitched his tent toward Sodom. Lot moved his family to a pricier neighborhood only thinking about prestige, a nicer home and better schools. God's ways are not our ways though and often we miss hearing his gentle voice directing our lives. Why? We get too busy admiring what the world lays before us (Isa. 55:7-8).
Does that mean God intends for us to live in impoverished neighborhoods? No. This city, Sodom, along with its sister city, Gomorrah, was the pinnacle of wickedness in those days. If you had a choice between a quiet suburban setting and the Las Vegas strip, what would your decision be? Lot was lured by the Las Vegas of his time discontent with Abraham's suburban lifestyle.
There comes a time in everyone's walk with the Lord when we have to forsake certain ways to walk in harmony with the Father. Each person's walk is different. What do you have to forsake to serve more faithfully than you have been? Nothing is free in this world. We can choose to live by its standards and reap earthly benefits or live by God's standards and reap heavenly benefits.
Which type of status do you seek, worldly acclaim or heavenly clout? The choice is yours. When we walk with God, we have certain privileges. We have spiritual status, privilege in sonship and sainthood. How do we walk with God? In II Corinthians 5:7, Paul tells us we walk by faith not by sight. The apostle John tells us to follow God we must walk in the light as He is in the light (I John 1:7). In Romans, Paul writes we must walk in newness of life (Romans 6:4). In Galatians, he tells us to walk in the spirit (Gal. 5:16). Paul wrote to the church at Ephesus instructing them to walk circumspectly (5:15-16), walk worthily (4:1) and to walk in love (5:2).
In summary, Enoch found favor with God for three reasons. He was careful about his friendships, desired to please God, and was determined to follow Him. Proverbs 3 tells us, "In all thy ways acknowledge him and he will direct thy paths." So, let's be more like Enoch, make better decisions about companions, follow a path pleasing to him and listen for direction. It determines our destiny.
Copyright (c) 2007 Tina Diane Mitchell
I will not see Noah's Ark. God's word tells us He instructed Noah to build one though. Hebrews 11:7 states, "By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. By his faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that comes by faith."
I will not see the burial place of Moses. Deuteronomy 34:6 states, "He buried him in Moab, in the valley opposite Beth Peor, but to this day no one knows where his grave is." What of David and his memorial? David "served his generation and fell on sleep" (Acts 13:36). I will not see Paul's burial place either yet he was a bond servant of Jesus Christ.
History tells us after Alexander the Great conquered the world he sat down and cried. Why? He had no more worlds to conquer. George Washington was known for being "first in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen." But Enoch was known to walk with God.
What an experience! How would it be to physically walk with God? To step on air and ride clouds with the heavenly host! In our Christian walk, we find ourselves either before Him, after Him, or with Him. God spoke to Abraham in Genesis 17:1 identifying himself as El-Shaddai (God Almighty). Abraham was told to serve God and live a blameless life. In that Abraham walked before God, his was a walk of perfection. Abraham lived looking for a Redeemer and his deeds were counted as righteousness. Those who walk after the Lord perform a work of obedience. Deuteronomy 13:4 instructs believers to keep His commandments, to obey Him, to hold and cling fast to our Heavenly Father. How do we walk with Him? We walk like Enoch.
Let's not forget walking with God is also a walk of friendship and fellowship. Before Adam's fall, he walked with the Lord in the cool of the day. Can you imagine strolling through Eden making small talk with God? What a way to end your day! Enoch had the same type of relationship. He strolled regularly with God speaking to him just like you would an old friend. God liked those conversations so much he took Enoch home to stay. How many of your friends like you so well they desire to live with you?
In John's first epistle, he writes walking with God implies harmony, friendship and fellowship with our Savior (I John 1:3-7). John tells us this makes our joy complete. Like a married couple in perfect unison or a son in stride with this father, so should our relationship be with our Heavenly Father.
We forget God desires our friendship. We forget He wants us to walk with Him. We forget He desires to be near us and is in continual pursuit of our fellowship. We forget He loves us so much He pitched his tent among us. John 1:14 tell us the Word was made flesh and came and dwelt among us! He passionately pursues His children like a star crossed lover.
Matthew Henry wrote in his commentary on Matthew 14, "Those are most pleasing to God that are best pleased with him; and they abound most in peace and joy in the Holy Ghost. They are approved by wise and good men; and the opinion of others is not to be regarded." God is most pleased with those that are pleased with Him! Isn't that amazing? God gets the biggest blessing out of believers that consider Him one! Was this what was so special about Enoch?
Enoch made a conscious decision to walk with God for three reasons. First, he was careful about his companions. Believers have a hard time walking with God and associating with those out of harmony with Him. We cannot walk with God and mirror the steps of an unrighteous man. Enoch did not walk in the counsel of ungodly men (Psalm 1:1). Enoch knew evil communication corrupts good manner and stains character (I Cor. 15:33). "Do two walk together unless they have agreed to do so"? (Amos 3:3) Believers should not be yoked to unbelievers for what do we have in common? (II Cor. 6:14-16). So, Enoch chose the best companion available God himself.
Second, Enoch walked close enough to God to please Him (Heb. 11:15). This verse tells us Enoch was translated. That means God took him to heaven alive! Enoch never saw death's door. Enoch said like David, "I will walk in your truth" (Ps. 86:11). As the prophet wrote in Micah 4:5, "All the nations may walk in the name of their gods; we will walk in the name of the LORD our God for ever and ever." No matter the cost, whatever the sacrifice, Enoch was determined to walk with his God. To him, it was the most pleasant and profitable profession he could possibly pursue.
Third, Enoch was cautious about his direction. Direction determines destiny. So, decision determines direction which, in turn, determines your destiny. If you recall, Lot pitched his tent toward Sodom (Gen. 13:12). Lot decided to go to Sodom, the direction he went determined his destiny. Lot threw the importance of direction to the wind and lost his heart, his home, his happiness, his righteousness and his wife. Lot allowed Sodom to lure him away from what was pleases God. But Enoch, walked with God. Enoch walked with God's direction, in step with Him, eyes fixed on Him not man or what the world has to offer.
Was it profitable for a time for Lot to reside in Sodom? Of course it was! Sodom was a beautiful city filled with successful people according to the world's standards. Lot felt like he moved up in the world when he pitched his tent toward Sodom. Lot moved his family to a pricier neighborhood only thinking about prestige, a nicer home and better schools. God's ways are not our ways though and often we miss hearing his gentle voice directing our lives. Why? We get too busy admiring what the world lays before us (Isa. 55:7-8).
Does that mean God intends for us to live in impoverished neighborhoods? No. This city, Sodom, along with its sister city, Gomorrah, was the pinnacle of wickedness in those days. If you had a choice between a quiet suburban setting and the Las Vegas strip, what would your decision be? Lot was lured by the Las Vegas of his time discontent with Abraham's suburban lifestyle.
There comes a time in everyone's walk with the Lord when we have to forsake certain ways to walk in harmony with the Father. Each person's walk is different. What do you have to forsake to serve more faithfully than you have been? Nothing is free in this world. We can choose to live by its standards and reap earthly benefits or live by God's standards and reap heavenly benefits.
Which type of status do you seek, worldly acclaim or heavenly clout? The choice is yours. When we walk with God, we have certain privileges. We have spiritual status, privilege in sonship and sainthood. How do we walk with God? In II Corinthians 5:7, Paul tells us we walk by faith not by sight. The apostle John tells us to follow God we must walk in the light as He is in the light (I John 1:7). In Romans, Paul writes we must walk in newness of life (Romans 6:4). In Galatians, he tells us to walk in the spirit (Gal. 5:16). Paul wrote to the church at Ephesus instructing them to walk circumspectly (5:15-16), walk worthily (4:1) and to walk in love (5:2).
In summary, Enoch found favor with God for three reasons. He was careful about his friendships, desired to please God, and was determined to follow Him. Proverbs 3 tells us, "In all thy ways acknowledge him and he will direct thy paths." So, let's be more like Enoch, make better decisions about companions, follow a path pleasing to him and listen for direction. It determines our destiny.
Copyright (c) 2007 Tina Diane Mitchell