A man once shared the secret to his long, strong marriage. He said, “We never stopped choosing each other.” He explained it wasn’t big moments. It was the small, daily decisions. Talking when they were tired. Listening when it would’ve been easier not to. Choosing closeness again and again.
Then he said, “If we didn’t choose it, we’d drift.”
That’s true in every relationship, including with God. We must choose to build deeper relationship with God.
Walking with God- Genesis 5:21-24
Enoch was the great-great-great-great grandson of Adam and had more than 3 children himself (Gen. 5:21-22). He had great responsibilities on his shoulders that came with raising a large family and fulfilling his work obligations. Walking with God was his top priority and he did so while leading a home and living through the hard work of daily life. To walk with God does not indicate perfection; however, it does indicate relationship with God. More specifically, a deep relationship with God.
The Septuagint is an ancient Greek translation of the Hebrew Old Testament (more info here). It was created before the time of Jesus on earth. This translation uses the phrase “pleased God” for verses 22 and 24. Using “pleased God” is also consistent with what Hebrews 11:5 says about Enoch. This kind of relationship is often steady, daily, and quiet.
Enoch does not have much said about him in scripture. So, that makes what is said stand out even more! Enoch is kind of a quiet, unseen character in the Bible. Do you ever feel that way? Sometimes we wish for the accolades, attention, and adornments…don’t we? We see the mom who does 5 things at once, doesn’t seem to need much sleep, is always “put together,” and from our viewpoint she is highly praised. We then think, “I wish I was like her.” Be encouraged ladies! This life is not about what others see, but it is about what Jesus knows…and He knows us intimately. Jesus sees your small, unseen moments of love for Him, love for your husband, love for your children, and love for others. Jesus knows all too well your grieving heart for the children already with Him, your tears for your wayward children, your heaviness for life’s path not going as planned, your burden for longings not yet fulfilled, and your anxiety over unsettled circumstances. They all matter deeply to the Lord! The Lord is your comforter, guide, and protector!
God is looking for a life that walks closely with Him. He sees your faithful walk with Him even when others don’t. Your faithfulness in the “dull ordinary days” is not wasted!
The greatest treasure you can invest in and hand down to your family and friends is a heart that pleases the Lord!
Do you feel unfulfilled? Do you wander around for purpose? You will find it all with deeper relationship with the Lord!
Do you long for friends, appreciation, and affirmation? Take a cue from Enoch’s life and pursue deeper relationship with the Lord! God will meet your needs better than you can imagine!
There is much more for the one who pleases the Lord and walks closely with Him!
Building a Testimony - Hebrews 11:5
One day Enoch was simply not found on earth and the reason the Bible gives is that God had taken him. The KJV uses the words “translated” which in the Greek means to transfer to another place (Hebrews 11:5- ESV uses “was taken up;” NASB uses “was taken up;” and NKJV uses “was taken away.”). Enoch and Elijah are the only human beings that did not experience death like the rest of humanity. The Bible later tells us that Elijah was taken up to heaven in a chariot, but for Enoch, he was simply no longer here on earth. Before God took Enoch away, the Bible says that he was known as one who pleased God.
Enoch was not known for leading a big organization, or for incredible acceptance among the masses, or for how talented his kids were in sports or music. However, Enoch was known for pleasing God. Enoch had quite the testimony!
A quiet life of faith in God is a powerful life lived.
A man spent years building a successful business. People respected him for it. One day, his granddaughter was asked what he was really good at. She didn’t mention his success. She said, “He reads his Bible… and he talks to God.” Out of everything he had built, that’s what stood out. It’s a reminder that God measures differently than we do.
We measure one another by how many people attend our churches, how talented our kids are, how much money we make, what kind of possessions we have, and what positions or titles we hold (to name a few). These are some of the metrics for success in the world. However, God measures success differently! Joshua 1:8 points us to meditating on scripture day and night for the pathway of success, and such meditations lead us to pleasing our great God.
Your worth is not measured by what you do (like raising children, homeschooling, a high paying job, or skilled hobbies). Your worth is measured by who you are in Jesus…your relationship with the Creator, Sustainer, and Savior of the world! “What you do” comes from “who you are” in Jesus!
So, how do we build deeper relationship with God?
Walk with God every day. “Enoch walked with God” (Gen. 5:22, 24). This drives us to live in the reality of His presence, to commune with God each day, and to choose consistency over intensity.
Live by faith in God. Hebrews 11:5 says Enoch pleased God and the next verse says it is impossible to please God without faith! Enoch’s relationship with God was not mechanical or obligatory, it was entrenched in faith. This means trusting God when you cannot see the longed-for results, believing His word is true even when circumstances seem to contradict it, and holding the deeply rooted conviction that God is actively involved in your life.
Agree with God and obey. To walk with God implies agreeing with God (Amos 3:3)! Align your life with the Bible (don’t try to change the Bible to line up with your life), reject what hurts your relationship with God, and say yes to what God says yes to! James 4:8.
Embrace an eternal view of life. Enoch spoke of coming judgment in Jude. He didn’t just live for today and let tomorrow take care of itself. He lived with a view for eternity! This kind of view will impact your priorities, your handling of the hard stuff, and your investments of time and energy. Colossians 3:2.
Speaking the Truth - Jude 14-15
In Jude 14-15, Enoch reveals the coming judgment of God on the ungodly. Enoch was a prophet! This is very early in human history; however, these Bible verses underline the inevitability of God’s judgment and the significance of living a righteous life. Even in the dark and bleak culture of that time, Enoch did not shy away from speaking the truth.
“Carve your name on hearts, not on marble.”
—Unknown
Our words matter more than we often realize! We hear much about wanting to make a difference in our time through social media, music, and other platforms; but we do not need huge platforms to impact others. Our conversations, our prayers, and our encouraging words are the things God uses in and through us every day!
The life of Enoch is such a beautiful picture. Here is a human being who walked closely with God and one day he simply steps into eternity! But what we must highlight in Genesis 5, Hebrews 11, and Jude is that Enoch being “taken away” is not the end of the story! Enoch left this life and was then in the presence of God. There is coming a day when the church’s faith will be made sight!
In short, walking in God’s presence now will lead to His presence forever!
Take comfort. Your life may not be known by the multitudes. It may not be loud and wildly popular. But when you respond to the relationship God initiated with you, and you choose Him, the one true God then knows you deeply! The God of heaven who shows everlasting love, is the giver of peace and comfort, is the source of true joy, and who is always ready to forgive you – wants you to know Him deeply!