Scripture: Hebrews 11:5–6 (ESV): “5 By faith Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death, and he was not found, because God had taken him. Now before he was taken he was commended as having pleased God. 6 And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.”
Devotional Thought: Enoch was known for seeking God by faith. In a world where many find God distant due to His invisibility and transcendence, Scripture makes clear that God desires to be known by those who earnestly seek Him. His nature surpasses our imagination. Unlike the false gods of history, the one true God is beyond compare.
People worship constantly, whether they realize it or not. Worship is more than ritual; it is where we place our devotion. So the question is not if you worship, but who or what is the object of your worship?
True faith, as modeled by Enoch, is not passive belief but an active lifestyle. God is not pleased by half-hearted acknowledgment. Hebrews 11:6 confirms that faith pleases Him only when it is accompanied by a wholehearted pursuit of His presence and character. He desires full devotion, not religious formality.
Faith affirms that God is present and that Scripture is His voice to humanity. That relationship changes us. When we commune with God, we cannot remain the same. Jesus is not someone to be added to our lives, He is Lord and the center of life.
As Exodus 20:5 says, “You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I the Lord your God am a jealous God.” He demands undivided worship and dedication.
Matthew 5:13 teaches us that we are the salt of the earth. If salt loses its purity, it becomes useless. Our spiritual effectiveness depends on our dedication and purity before God. If we are compromised by the world, our witness weakens and our purpose fades.
Life Application Questions:
- Has my affirmation of Jesus led to change in my daily life?
- Am I earnestly seeking God or merely affirming Him in name?
- Have I allowed compromise to hinder my influence and effectiveness?
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, I do not fully understand Your ways, but I want to know You more. Strengthen my faith so that I may walk in daily obedience and devotion. Purify my heart and help me to trust You in all things. Thank You for Jesus, through whom I can live a life of true worship.
In Jesus’ name, amen.
Closing Thought: God is near. He rewards those who seek Him with sincerity. Enoch’s life reminds us that pleasing God is not about religious acts but about living by faith. Let your faith be a daily walk, not just a belief, and He will reward that faithfulness, and a life lived in obedience. Walk faithfully and He will honor that walk.