Faithfulness

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    I started a new Bible reading plan for the New Year!  I have never done a chronological Bible reading plan and I am excited to read through the Bible in this way.  I am using a guide that will take me through it in one year if I follow it exactly, but God used my wise husband to help me see that it is more important to read with understanding than to read to check off the daily reading box.  I was convicted with the truth that many days I read to complete a schedule, rather than with an open heart to learn more about and from God, the author of Bible!  So, I hope to use grace in this area and not be too worried if I don't finish in one calendar year.  More importantly, I pray I am faithful to walk with God continually in the coming year.  
    In my reading this week I came to the five verses in Genesis that tell us about the life of Enoch.  I was using the NIV and here is how this particular translation shared his life story:

After he became the father of Enoch, Jared lived 800 years and had other sons and daughters.  Altogether, Jared lived a total of 962 years, and then he died.

When Enoch had lived 65 years, he became the father of Methuselah.  After he became the father of Methuselah, Enoch walked faithfully with God 300 years and had other sons and daughters.  Altogether, Enoch lived a total of 365 years.  Enoch walked faithfully with God; then he was no more, because God took him away. 
Genesis 5:19-24, NIV

    The words "faithfully" stood out to me as it describes Enoch's walk with God.  Our pastor has given us a phrase to describe a goal for our church to focus on specifically in the coming year:  "Faithfulness without Compromise."  This phrase has been mulling around in my mind since he shared this with us.  For the last couple of days, specifically the term, "faithfulness" has been the focus of my meditations throughout the day.  So, it is not surprising that the NIV translation grabbed my attention with its use of the word, "faithfully."  What does it mean to walk faithfully with God?  
    Strong's Concordance is a handy tool when you are not sure where to start.  Looking up these verses about Enoch, I discovered that other translations used the terms, "habitually" or "closely" to describe the way Enoch walked with God.  Did you know that the name, "Enoch" means "dedicated"?  I didn't!  (I love how names were prophecies of the person's character in Biblical times.  That is a rabbit-trail for another time, however! 😀)
    My take-away from this was that Enoch was dedicated to walking habitually, closely, faithfully, with God.   This was his life.  It was not a little add-on that was a "good thing to do."  This was his priority, his life mission.  He did not ever forget to walk with God or become too busy to walk with God.  His life was walking with God.  This was who he was, not just something he did.  This was all-encompassing and continual.  
     How does someone "walk with God?"  To walk faithfully with God requires us to spend time with Him.  When we walk with someone, we usually talk with each other!  A silent walk may be calming and useful for specific times, but it is fairly boring if it there is never any conversation!   (However, even silent walks can tell us something about the person we are walking with if we study their gait, their mannerisms, their face, their actions, gestures, etc. ) As we converse with our walking partner, we learn more about them, their character, their thoughts, their desires and their goals.  God speaks to us through His word.  We respond in prayer, praise, and service. This is how we commune, or converse with the God of the universe. 
     There is great blessing for the  Christian who is faithful to Christ. Hebrews 11:5-6 tells us this:

 “By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death, and was not found, because God had taken him; for before he was taken he had this testimony, that he pleased God. But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” 

    What a testimony!  "He walked faithfully with God," "He pleased God!"  Wouldn't that be a beautiful epitaph one day?  But wait! There is more...
    Notice God is a "rewarder of those who diligently seek Him."  Isn't He wonderful?

    Revelation 2:10 shares even more, 

"Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.”  

    What a challenge for us in this new year! I pray that each of us accepts this challenge to be faithful in our walk with God!  Blessings await!
   
💓Heather Sparks💓








 

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