By Faith: Walking the Walk

18 When Jared had lived 162 years, he became the father of Enoch. 19 After he became the father of Enoch, Jared lived 800 years and had other sons and daughters. 20 Altogether, Jared lived a total of 962 years, and then he died.

21 When Enoch had lived 65 years, he became the father of Methuselah. 22 After he became the father of Methuselah, Enoch walked faithfully with God 300 years and had other sons and daughters. 23 Altogether, Enoch lived a total of 365 years. 24 Enoch walked faithfully with God; then he was no more, because God took him away.

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5 By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death: “He could not be found, because God had taken him away.” For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God. 6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

Enoch’s father died at age 962, and Enoch’s son died at age 969. Compared to them, Enoch was young at 365! What’s more, the Bible says Enoch never died! He was here one day and gone the next. Just disappeared! People rightly concluded that God had taken him away.

Sometimes when very old people are asked for the secret to their long life, they will list things like hard work, a vegetarian diet, a daily drink, regular exercise. People even give contradictory answers.

It is one thing to know the secret of getting old.

It is another matter entirely to know the secret of escaping death!

What was Enoch’s secret? How did he do it? What did he do?

Genesis 5:24 says Enoch “walked with God.” Hebrews 11:5 says Enoch lived by faith. He had a walking-with-God kind of faith. In order to walk with someone for a long time—for a lifetime—you’d better be able to get along! Enoch and God got along. They shared the same values, the same priorities, the same goals, the same worldview. They were on the same wavelength and were headed in the same direction.

Are you on walking and talking terms with God? Are you headed in the same direction as God?

If so, then not even death can pull you two apart!

Father, help us to be on walking and talking terms with you. May we have the same values and goals. Let not even death separate us. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.