“Enoch walked with God; then he was no more, because God took him away”
Genesis 5:24
I have been thinking about Enoch’s walk with God. What an incredible way to be remembered.
Years ago, I read the book, Practicing the Presence of God and since then, I have often prayed that God would enable me to walk with Him like Enoch did.
I used to think that when God answered my prayer, I would be in a perpetual state of euphoria and contentment. I though problems of any kind would not bother me because I would automatically trust God as soon as the challenge came. No matter what came my way, I wouldn’t flinch. I would be content even when the workload seemed overwhelming. No matter what happened I would be able to say, as the apostle Paul did, “I have learned to be content in whatever state I am in.”
I have walked with God for many years, have had a lot of joy and fun (who wouldn’t, when married to a fun guy like Marvin) as well, I have had many challenges, many hard decisions to make, many times of deep hurt and pain. As I struggled, I was not always in a state of contentment. Sometimes I wondered why God didn’t answer my prayer and zap me with the grace to be in a continual state of contentment.
You know what? God was answering my prayer. Through the hardships in life, we are forced to trust God. The Apostle Paul said, “His strength is made perfect in my weakness.” God helps me to realize that I am weak and that I desperately need Him moment by moment. Strength, wisdom, insight, love, patience and knowledge all come from Him. I go to God many times a day because I just don’t have what I need.
Life isn’t soft and easy! If it was, we wouldn’t need God, would we? Through the circumstances He brings into our lives, we are forced to trust Him.
Years ago, our five-month-old grandson died suddenly. I hurt so badly, I thought I couldn’t bear it. A few days after his funeral I was sitting in the living room, reading the Bible. God directed me to 2 Corinthians 1:9. The Apostle Paul was writing about his problems and goes on to say,
“…but this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God…and He will deliver us. On Him we have set our hope and He will continue to deliver us.” No matter what happens, God wants us to rely on Him. He will deliver us.
How about you? Do you have great challenges and heartaches today? God is in this. Rely on Him and He will continue to deliver you. He will give you the abundant life. (John 10:10) Walk with God.
God, thank You that Your strength is made perfect in our weakness. Thank You for bringing problems into our lives so we are forced to rely on You. What sweet companionship we develop through it all. Amen.
When I was in my thirties, I believed in God—was a Christian, was a churchgoer, but I did not know that I was created to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever. I learned that to experience a full and meaningful life, I needed to yield the control of my life to God (I had never done that), then I could experience His love and power moment by moment. This is the prayer I prayed. You can too!
“Dear Father, I need You. I acknowledge that I have been directing my own life and that, as a result, I have sinned against You. I thank You that You have forgiven my sins through Christ’s death on the cross for me. I now invite Christ to again take His place on the throne of my life. Fill me with the Holy Spirit as You commanded me to be filled, and as You promised in Your Word that You would do if I asked in faith. I now thank You for directing my life and for filling me with the Holy Spirit.”
Does this prayer express the desire of your heart? If so, bow in prayer and trust God to fill you with the Holy Spirit right now.