Fearless Faith and Awestruck Joy—Enoch-A Journey of Hope, Faith, and Joy
Enoch was seventh generation from Adam and the great grandfather of Noah as we are told of in Genesis. We are told very little about Enoch; yet, he was included in God’s Faith Hall of Fame recorded in Hebrews 11. “5 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.” Because of faith, Enoch was “raptured” several years before the flood that would bring judgment upon the sins of this world as we see recorded in Genesis.
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Enoch had a faith that was said to “please God.” The writer of Hebrews further defines a faith that pleases God as: “6 he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” Indeed, he wrote,” But without faith it is impossible to please him” (Hebrew 11:6).
What do we know about Enoch beyond this description in Hebrews 11 and what can we learn about faith from Enoch’s life? If we look at Genesis 5, we see recorded, “21 And Enoch lived sixty and five years, and begat Methuselah: 22 And Enoch walked with God after he begat Methuselah three hundred years, and begat sons and daughters: 23 And all the days of Enoch were three hundred sixty and five years: 24 And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him.” In these 4 verses we see symbolized the Christian walk—Salvation, Sanctification, and Glorification. When you understand these 3 stages of the Christian walk, your heart can be filled with hope, faith, and joy as you journey here.
1. Salvation. If we look closely at verses 21 and 22 above, we see that “Enoch walked with God after he begat Methuselah.” Perhaps a fine point; but, there was a definite moment in time that Enoch began to “walk” with God. A definite moment that his “relationship” and “fellowship” with God began. Do you remember a moment in time when you first asked Jesus into your heart? That moment when you suddenly saw a glimpse of God’s Glory and Love; realizing that more than anything you desired Him in your life? At that same moment you realized how unworthy you were of His Grace. You knew that there was nothing that your guilty hands or self-exalting heart could present to God which could be enough to allow you presence with perfect righteousness. So you laid your pride and sin at the foot of the cross. By faith, you accepted Christ as your Savior; recognizing that the only righteousness you will ever have is the righteousness that comes from being clothed with the righteousness of Christ. For Enoch, he awaited a coming Savior upon whom he placed his faith—for us we have the cross and the gospel which calls us to repentance and faith.
2. Sanctification. At the point of salvation, God sees the final work and we are declared “saints”. Yet, I am keenly aware that all too often I do not look much like a saint. There are those moments when self-centered desires to be exalted or to be noticed at work, or even at church, stains Christ’s cloak of righteousness. My own desires to be loved at times get in the way of my loving as Christ loves. Sometimes, I allow pride in which does not allow me to forgive or see others in the way Christ sees them. Despite all my bumbling, God has promised to complete the work He began in me. He draws me step by step closer to Him. He sovereignly orchestrates every detail of my life—the trials, the sorrows, and the joys in such a manner that I am forced to take my eyes off of me and focus on Christ. At times, He rips out of my hands things that I am clinging to; because, He knows that while I am clinging to counterfeit joys I cannot experience the true Joy that I could have in Him. Step by step, inch by inch, glory by glory He is transforming me. “18 But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord” (2 Corinthians 3:18). The more we focus on Christ, the more we read our scripture, the more we are awed by His Glory, His Majesty, and His Gracious Love for us. The more we are awed by Christ, the more Joy, Hope and Faith we have. So, what about Enoch? He walked with God and Enoch looked forward to the coming Lord. We know this because of what we were told in Jude 1. “14 And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints, 15 To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him.” Enoch preached and prophesied of Christ’s ultimate return and reign. Enoch did not worry or fret over the evil of the world which in Enoch’s day was very evil. Christ told us in Matthew 24: “37 But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.” Enoch walked with God no matter how evil the world around him was with fearless faith that believed “God is and God rewards those who seek Him”.
3. Glorification. Enoch was raptured into God’s presence. One day either by death on this earth or by rapture if Christ returns before I die; I will stand before my heavenly Father in a new glorified body that can never again fail Him. What Glorious day that will be when I can see His face!! Until that day He calls me home, let me live each moment praising Him, rejoicing in His Grace. Let me live a life of fearless faith and awestruck joy because I know God is and that He rewards all those who seek Him.
Listen to Chris Tomlin, “I Will Rise”
The artist that drew the picture “A Broken and Contrite Heart” featured on my header and who drew the picture Ultimate Inspiration above is Ronald Barba. Please go to his website ( http://www.barba-art.com) for information regarding obtaining copies or to commission him to create a masterpiece for you. Feel free to email him at Ron@Barba-Art.com to discuss any art projects.
©2015 Effie Darlene Barba
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.