In today's post, we're going to look at Hebrews 11:5 which says,
"Because of faith Enoch was caught up and transferred to heaven, so that he did not have a glimpse of death; and he was not found, because God had translated him. For even before he was taken to heaven, he received testimony [still on record] that he had pleased and been satisfactory to God." (italics mine)
Because of Enoch's trust in God, and his understanding that it is our trust that most pleases God, Enoch experienced life, but never death.
Wow. Let that sink in for just a minute.
As I type this and attempt to imagine what that must have been like, I honestly just can't. I cannot imagine the experience Enoch must have had: to be walking through life with God and to be 'translated' to my forever home. To not even have a glimpse of death. Wow.
But one thing I can identify with--or at least I'm learning to--is the relationship Enoch enjoyed with God and that God most desires that I trust Him: His character, His goodness, His forgiveness, His redemption, His plans, His motives, His nature, His will, HIM! You see, as my friend John Lynch has so beautifully taught me and others, you can spend your life trying to please God and never learn how to trust Him. But, when you trust Him, He says, "My child, you've never pleased me more!"
You see, it is out of a relationship based upon trust that the relationship will thrive and mature into all it is intended to be. I will obey with genuine, heartfelt obedience to the degree that I trust God. I can only be as close to someone to the degree that I trust that person. This is at the core of so many relationship issues: friends, married couples, parent/child, work associates, etc. Most people don't really trust others. And, as I've also learned from my friends in Phoenix, if I don't trust you, you can't love me, no matter how much love you have for me.
Until we can trust all of who we are to all of who He is, we will never experience the adventure, the joy, the authenticity, that is the abundant Christian life.
And, just how is trust developed? Time and experience. God takes that mustard sized seed of our faith when we trust Christ as our Savior, and as we choose to be intentional to know Him more, and obey Him with the faith we have at present, that relationship and trust develop and mature. This doesn't happen overnight, and it usually happens when we least expect it. Trust is developed and matures as we struggle through the challenging, painful, and even wonderful things we experience in life. It happens as we get to know God through His Word and through relationships with others.
"Because of faith...(Enoch) pleased God..." Because of our trust in God, our faith in Him above all else, He is pleased with us--you and me. This is good news!! This is the Gospel=bringing God and man back into right relationship with one another, with nothing standing between us.
Oh God, may my faith in You be strengthened more and more as I make it my life's mission to know You more!
