Key scripture- “Enoch walked faithfully with God; then he was no more, because God took him away” (Genesis 5:24).

Are you familiar with Enoch?

He is someone in the Bible that I have always been fascinated with. Not a lot is written about him in the pages of Scripture, but what is there piques my interest: “Enoch walked faithfully with God; then he was no more, because God took him away” (Genesis 5:24).

When you read the Key scripture, did you think, “What did Enoch do when he walked faithfully with God”? Then do you want to know, “How can I make sure God says that about me”?

In Hebrews 11:5-6 we are provided with more of the story. “By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death: ‘He could not be found, because God had taken him away.’ For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God. And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him” (NIV).

That’s it! Enoch was whisked away, spared the pain of death and transported immediately to God’s side, all because of one simple thing: He pleased God.

As author, Karen Ehman tells us, that may sound simple, but it is not easy. It is a simple thing to please God, you just do what He says in His Word. My years as a follower of Christ have taught me that simple is not always easy. Choices present themselves, the world screams, our flesh gets in the way and we want revenge or glory … so we often lack faith, and instead try to control our own destinies. We mess up the pleasing God part with our very own hands and hearts.

Enoch walked with God.

Oh, don’t we long for that to be said of us? I’ll admit I don’t always walk with God. I take a stand for God — believe the right things and make it known. I may walk after God, and sadly, sometimes I run ahead of God, make my own plans and then say, “Oh yeah. By the way God, do you mind blessin’ these plans? I made them in Your name. I may have forgotten to consult You in the midst of them, but they are for You, ok?” What a shame and a sham!

Walking with God means we daily give up our desire to navigate our own lives, and we place our faith in Him. We admit He knows what’s best for us and realize He might not always reveal the hows and whys until the very last second. God is seldom early, but never late. Only day-by-day faith-walking pleases God.

Do you long to be one who pleases God this way? One who makes Him smile as He sees you place complete trust in Him and His infinite wisdom daily? Maybe then we just might be like Enoch … the one who walked so closely by our Creator’s side that one day, during one of those long walks, God looked at him and said, “You know, we’ve been walking together for so long now that we are actually closer to My house than yours. Why don’t you just come on home with Me right now?” And Enoch probably said “ABSOLUTELY, sounds good to me!” At least that’s how I picture it.

Pray this – Our Precious Heavenly Father, show me how to walk step by step with You in faith, not ahead of You or behind You, but right by Your side. Forgive me for not turning every decision and everything in my life over to You. Show me the plans You have for me today and give me the wisdom, strength and courage to walk in them, for I walk by faith and not by sight. I want to walk in all Your ways and walk upright and blameless. Show me how to wait patiently for You. Holy Spirit guide me and show me how to walk humbly with God, obey His Word as He leads me down paths of righteousness, and I know that I will never grow faint. In Jesus’ Name, I pray, Amen.