December 10, 2003
A Light in the Dark
“Enoch lived 365 years in all. He enjoyed a close relationship with God throughout his life. Then suddenly, he disappeared because God took him.” (Genesis 5:23–24)
Enoch lived at a unique time in history, prior to God’s judgment by the Flood. People of Enoch’s day were really wicked. So wicked, in fact, that God was sorry He ever created them. Scripture tells us of that time that all their thoughts were “consistently and totally evil” (Genesis 6:5). Yet in the midst of this dark environment was an individual who walked with God. Enoch shows us that it is possible to live a godly life in an ungodly world.
We also read in Hebrews 11:5 that Enoch was pleasing to God. We, too, can live our lives in a way that pleases God. How? We can start by finding out what God specifically says is pleasing to Him. Here are a few from the pages of Scripture:
God is pleased when, in spite of the fact that we are in the right, we patiently endure when misunderstood (1 Peter 2:19).
God is pleased when children obey their parents (Colossians 3:20).
God is pleased when we worship Him and help others (Hebrews 13:15).
God is pleased when we give to the work of the kingdom (Philippians 4:17).
Of course, as you read and study God’s Word, you’ll discover other things that please Him. Some people have the mistaken notion that God is very difficult to please. He is not. He loves you. He knows all about you. Your failures do not come as a surprise to Him. He wants the very best for you. His resources are at your disposal. He is patient with you.
Enoch had this testimony: he pleased God. How is your testimony today?
Copyright © 2003 by Harvest Ministries. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.