Pastor Terry Cheek Th.D.

www.theinspiringword.org

Unlikely people that God used (Enoch)

We’re going to continue our new series of articles titled Unlikely people that God used. We’re going to learn from God's word there isn’t anyone the Lord will not use if they will come on His terms. My inspiration comes from the many people I have heard awesome testimonies of people being saved from sin, drugs, alcohol, dangers, and even themselves. Yet, despite their awesome testimonies many of them feel God has no place for them. Talking with them has made me realize there are a lot of born-again believers who for whatever reason believe God won’t use them because of their past. I want them and everyone reading this series to know that God's word is filled with men and women who were saved from devastating situations and moved forward to proclaim the gospel and lead many to Christ. This series will share the stories of many from God's word and my prayer is that it will encourage you to be obedient to God's call for your life and let Him call others through you.

Let’s take a look at Enoch from the Old Testament. We know from Genesis 5:24 “And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him.” Enoch was not someone who failed God and repented of that failure to return and serve Him in amazing ways. No, Enoch’s life was defined by a lifetime of service. There are men and women today who have served God quietly, faithfully, and without any recognition. Those folk who only want to see souls saved and the gospel shared across the world. Enoch was someone we can regard as a hero because Enoch stood strong over a long period of time. He refused to compromise; that’s why Hebrews 11:5 says “By 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.” Enoch did so not for a few decades but for three hundred years!

Enoch’s world was much different than ours. Earth had not yet been destroyed and rearranged into its present form through God's destruction by flood. A person’s life was measured in centuries, not decades. For example, Enoch was born only 622 years after creation, the seventh generation from Adam. Enoch’s great-grandson was Noah and we remember his famous story about the Ark and its completion when Noah was 600 years old.

Enoch lived during an age of corruption, rebellion, and moral decay; his culture looked a lot like ours. That is where we can find encouragement! If Enoch can survive 300 years and live in such a way that it impresses God, we can too. After all, Enoch lived by Faith, look at Hebrew’s 11:5 again it opens with “By Faith.” Today’s Christian is saved by grace through faith and that faith comes by Jesus Christ. We place our faith in Him because of His life, death, burial, and resurrection. After all

Jesus defeated death, hell, and the grave. What greater authority can we place our faith in? Enoch like Elijah may seem remarkable even impossible for us to emulate. Not so. James gave us a little insight into the person of Elijah and since he and Enoch had so much in common, I believe James 5:17 applies to both. “Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months.” These great people of God were subject to the same passions as you and I. The same trials and temptations yet they lived in such a way to glorify God and be salt and light during their lifetime.

I didn’t say Enoch was popular. If we really explore God's word, we find that His people were never popular with the government or society. I think that is something we must realize. When Jesus told us, we cannot serve two masters He really meant it. Enoch served only God. Yes, he had to work and provide and live but found a way to do it and glorify God. Like Enoch, we too can find this life. I recommend we do like Enoch did, listen to God. We have His word our Bible and today we can open it regularly, spend time in it, and allow it to speak to our hearts. It will lead us to salvation, service, and a serious relationship we allow it. So, let’s consider Enoch as we think about an example in our daily walk with God.

Until we meet again in person or print, may God richly bless you is my prayer!

Terry provides pastoral services to McDowell Missions Ministries

Contact Terry by email at theinspiringword@gmail.com