People are most remembered by their presence. Here is a man known for being absent. The book of Hebrews uses the word translated. This is what’s coming and should be the goal of all—to be translated. To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. I’d rather be absent and know God than to be present, known in this world and not have God.
Genesis 5: 18And Jared lived an hundred sixty and two years, and he begat Enoch: 19 And Jared lived after he begat Enoch eight hundred years, and begat sons and daughters: 20 And all the days of Jared were nine hundred sixty and two years: and he died. 21 And Enoch lived sixty and five years, and begat Methuselah: 22 And Enoch walked with God after he begat Methuselah three hundred years, and begat sons and daughters: 23 And all the days of Enoch were three hundred sixty and five years.
Hebrews 11: 5By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.
We are expected at work at a certain time. If we’re absent, we need an excuse. That’s part of being responsible. God expects us to be present when it comes to serving him. Sinners even expect to see right coming out of us. So many are absent from walking with God and don’t worry about showing up for him. To be present in glory we need to be present with him down here. The goal of all us of should be to live in such a way that when we’re absent it will be felt.
Enoch’s son Methuselah lived 969 years, the longest of any man. He lived until the year of the flood. Enoch lived 365 years, short in comparison. We can’t feel sorry for him; he’s in heaven. This world is not our home. We’re just passing through. In Enoch’s day, it kept getting more and more wicked. The daughters of men—the descendants of Cain—married the sons of God—the descendants of Seth. Things starting falling apart. Enoch lived to suit God. He was present with him daily. It was a fearful time, but God still invited his people to walk with him.
This is what people need to see from us. They need to notice that we are walking with God. Let’s be known as one who walks with God. Let’s not be in the places of sin. Let’s not be in the valley of discouragement. Let’s be absent from sin and the devil. Look beyond the devil and see God. You have a choice. Choose to walk with God. Enoch chose to walk with God each day. Who knows how many of those who don’t walk with God will because of seeing our walk. We all know people who don’t walk with God. Wouldn’t it be great that they come to walk with him because of seeing us do it? When the time of translation comes they can go to heaven too.
Enoch had a testimony that he pleased God. He put God first and was present and accounted for. If we want to be in good spiritual shape we need to walk with God each day. If we were able to ask him if he misses this old world, he’d say he doesn’t miss a thing. Let’s walk by the Bible as believers of the Bible. Let’s walk in this world as believers of God. We are in this world but not of it. Greater is he that is in you than he that is in the world. The world needs us to be there with God. One day we can be absent like Enoch and be present in the other world.
Enoch made an impact. His son lived a good life for God and his son lived for God. Soon Noah came along and he learned to walk with God. When the judgment came it was Noah and his family that were saved. How many people will see our walk and want to join in? If we trust God and by faith walk with him, he’ll walk with us. We’ll be victorious and help others. Enoch was present with God and not the crowd that followed the world. He stood his ground and didn’t compromise. He stood for right with God’s standard. Let God’s word be the lamp unto our feet.
I’d rather be with Jesus than this world’s crowd any day. He’s never forsaken me. He’s been there. The choice to walk with him is ours. Mark it down. God is there inviting us to walk with him. We live in a fast-changing world but there is one fact that never changes. The Lord of Glory is here. Walk in the Spirit and we won’t fulfil the lusts of the flesh. We walk a different highway, the straight and narrow one. Be present with God on the pathway to Glory.
Because Enoch stuck with God, one day he was translated. God told him he wanted to show him his house. He was absent from the crowd who wanted to pick on him. His place at home was empty. He was with God. We never know when our last step will be. Enoch set foot with God and was spared from the evil of the world.
We are all descendants of Noah and thereby Enoch. Grandpa Enoch is telling us we’re in the same kind of world he was but that we also serve the same God. One day God will say it’s time and we’ll be absent. The only way to walk with God in heaven is to work with him here. Let’s together walk with God. Stick to the straight and narrow and hold God’s hand. To be in the hand of God is far better. Let’s be like Enoch and be absent in this world but present and accounted for with God.
Adwolfe Freewill Baptist Church 