6 Minute Read
Be Still
To the best of your ability, get rid of all distractions. Take a couple of minutes to breathe deeply, to quiet yourself in the Lord’s presence. Then, prayerfully ask the Lord to speak to you in this time and let Him know that you will be listening and will make whatever adjustments He will reveal to you.
Today’s Bible Reading:
Ezekiel 24:1–26:21
Hebrews 11:1-16
Psalm 110:1-7
Proverbs 27:14
Listen to the Lord
Slowly and reflectively read the following verses and listen to what God will say to you through them. Then, consider writing down any insights He reveals to you.
Hebrews 11:5 (NLT): “It was by faith that Enoch was taken up to heaven without dying — ‘he disappeared, because God took him.’ For before he was taken up, he was known as a person who pleased God.”
Reflections from Scripture:
Very little is said about Enoch. In Hebrews 11, he got one verse. In Genesis 5, he received four verses.
Genesis 5:21-24 (NLT): “When Enoch was 65 years old, he became the father of Methuselah. After the birth of Methuselah, Enoch lived in close fellowship with God for another 300 years, and he had other sons and daughters. Enoch lived 365 years, walking in close fellowship with God. Then one day he disappeared, because God took him.”
Essentially, we learn in Hebrews 11 that Enoch didn’t die. God simply took him to Heaven without allowing him to go through the dying process. But, we also learn that in his life, he “pleased God.” He made God happy!
When we look back to Genesis 5, we learn again that Enoch simply ceased to exist on earth because “God took him.”
And we see a special phrase that is used twice: “Enoch lived in close fellowship with God,” and he “walk(ed) in close fellowship with God.”
When we put all of this together, we learn that Enoch was a man that enjoyed living each day with his God. He enjoyed God in the moments of his days because he exercised faith (Hebrews 11:6 directly follows the verse on Enoch). And, as Enoch lived a life of faith, enjoying his God, God also found favor in him. He made God happy.
Friend, Christianity is a WHOLE lot more than obeying rules. In fact, it’s really not about obeying rules. Sure, we do what God has told us to do, but we don’t do it to gain His favor. Instead, we follow Him because we love Him and delight in doing what He has told us to do. It’s really about the relationship.
Are you enjoying a relationship with your God? Can it be said that you are “walking in fellowship with God?” Why not choose to walk with Him today?
Spend Time in Prayer
Lord Jesus, help me to enjoy You today. I want to submit to You and do as You say in Your Word. But I want more than that. I want You. So, please enable me to walk in fellowship with You today. I pray this in Your Name, Amen.
Matt Ellis is the pastor of First Baptist Church in Polk City, Florida (fbcpolkcity.com). His latest book is God’s Grace in the Real World. Connect with him on Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn.
Matt’s Musings 