The last two times we met, we considered how great an example that Enoch is to Christians today. We've considered his life, the times in which he lived, and his decision to walk with God. My, what a challenge this man Enoch is for you and me! Let's briefly recap what we learned from Enoch's life and then consider our final meditation on his life.

First of all, there was a desire to walk with God. We saw that this desire came after the birth of Methuselah, and we said that, many times, circumstances will come into a person's life that will cause him to reevaluate his priorities. For Enoch it was the birth of his son. For another person, it could be a close call and nearly dying; it could be the passing of a loved one; it could be great financial loss. Whatever the case may be, God can bring circumstances into the lives of men to cause them to turn their thoughts toward him. Secondly, we noted that there was a conscious decision to walk with God. The desire that Enoch had was strong enough to bring him to the point to leave his life, his wants and dreams, behind to follow hard after God. Desire is good, but unless it brings decision, there is no going on with God. We also considered, thirdly, that Enoch's walk with God undoubtedly brought a change of direction in his life. At one time he walked as wanted, perhaps like many of us who “walked according to the course of this world” (Ephesians 2:2). Now that he was walking with God, it was God who chose the direction he was to walk. Enoch did not ask God to walk with him; rather, Enoch walked with God. This is an important disctinction. This means that God was the leader, the one who was in control, and it was He who guided Enoch's path: Psalms 37:23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way. Where God led, Enoch went. Finally, we saw that Enoch's walk was one of dedication. The Scripture tells us that Enoch walked with God 300 years after Methuselah was born, and we are never told where he ever backpedaled or ever wobbled on the axle. In fact, the NT epistle of Jude tells us that, instead of Enoch being a silent convert, he was a preacher of righteousness who was not afraid to thunder against the sin of his day.

This brings us to consider one final characteristic of Enoch's walk. We've seen his desire, his decision, his new direction, and his dedication. Now we want to meditate on Enoch's delight in walking with God. Remember Psalm 37:23, quoted above? The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way. Yes, that's right. Enoch not only walked with God but delighted to do so. There is no doubt that Enoch loved walking with God because he was spending time with the God of heaven. God condescended, and Enoch communed with God. Think about this: Enoch was the first person since Adam to have such a personal relationship with God. Adam heard the voice of the Lord God walking in the garden. Now Enoch walked with him. This was great grace, and Enoch knew this. Once his eyes and heart – and his feet – were focused on God, Enoch entered a life of great satisfaction. His was the privilege that God wanted to share himself but would force no man. That Enoch's generation was wicked we read in Jude; yet God sought a man to walk with him in the midst of it. Can you imagine with me, for a moment, what delight Enoch felt as he lived in open communion with God? His was an especial delight. Yes he cried against the sin he saw. But he walked with a God who is merciful and compassionate, and there is no doubt that that mercy and compassion greatly influenced Enoch. He could see man's futile existence, his desire to fulfill the lusts of his flesh; yet he could look heavenward and had only to enter into the presence of the one he'd grown to love to know that the pleasures of sin were only for a season. It's safe to say that his delight led him to preach. He wanted others to know of the impending judgment of God and to repent and enjoy the same fellowship he enjoyed. The great problem amongst professing believers in our time is that too many seem to be so much in love with the dainties of this world that communion with God seems a drudgery. There is little life in their walk with God. Why so? There is no delight. Too many worldly loves; too many irons in the fire; too many tent stakes driven way too deep. We can learn a lesson from Enoch: a walk with God is not only profitable but delightful. Enoch's life was taken up with God until he himself was finally taken up. Let us walk with Christ that we are so heavenly minded that we will be able to do some worldly good and lead others to him before we ourselves are caught up to meet our Lord at his return.

     With love and gratitude,
     Pastor John Nichols