Taken of God

Genesis 5:24

And Enoch walked with God and was not for God took him.

Look with me at something I feel God is trying to tell each and every one of you. There is a taking of God being spoken of here. You know how you do. How often someone says money and intimate personal relations and you go after them because that is what you care a lot about. But then God shows up saying 'this is what I can do with a life that is fully committed to me.' Now, how many of you will be quick to say 'no thank you' to God. Maybe you say, 'not right now; I'm busy, Lord.' Such a point of view is certainly understandable. Nor will I be so cruel as to remind you who started it all to begin with. Could it be that in all of Job's trials he got caught up in what he had lost. So consumed was he that he became like the smoking flax or the burning wick, about ready to go out. In his loss and his grief, he lost sight of the God that would take him on home. Now do not get all dirty minded. The Lord is very much not like some of you. Consider carefully Enoch's story. Each day God came calling, knocking on his door. It might have been inconvenient for Enoch. Yet still he got up and walked with God. Such became his habit daily, until the day the Lord came for one final visit.

Now Enoch did not know it would be his last. Just think, if the servants had known the time of the master's return would they too not have been ready. But Enoch had no time to prepare. Was not his life, his time, and his abilities all about God. So much so were they that when his time came there was nothing left to be found. I imagine his friends and his family came looking for the will, the legacy, and the man himself. The text makes it clear that he was not to be found. Rather all that was left to them was God their portion as he ought to have been all along. Today there is such talk of this one and that. Whatever would be done if our loved ones were no longer here. Would that only this famous person gone before their time would rise again to fix it all. Now how many of you know that God has already been there, done that. All the fixing power is in his hands alone. In all your striving and searching, know this. It is okay when God takes someone that is his, for will he not either send another or give of himself.

To be kept in such a way is better than anything this world has to offer. Not only that, but consider also this. Our money, our time, our abilities, and our junk also is his. From him they came and to him return. So then, it should be no great hardship if the Lord borrows them for a little while on the course of your walk. For such is a most intimate relationship as that of the Father with his child. Does he not know already of your need before you even ask. If then he borrows and gives a little in return is it not okay. Rest assured, that he our good Father is in spite of all that. When the end comes and he arrives to take us home, I trust we too will one day hear a 'well done, good and faithful servant,' child, and friend of God.