Daily Thoughts from Hebrews: Certain Hope (11:5-6)

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. 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. (Hebrews 11:5-6, ESV)

The Biblical account of Enoch says, “Enoch walked with God, and he was not, for God took him” (Genesis 5:24).  Of everyone else in this account it says they “died” but not Enoch.  God took him.  As our author interprets, he did “not see death.”  It is possible the same thing happened to Elijah.  If so, these are the only two people we know of who did not taste death.  We’re told that Enoch “walked with God” (Genesis 5:22) and so God, through the Biblical record, commends Enoch and his faith.

Added to this example of faith is our author’s comment that without faith it is impossible to please God.  After all, we cannot see Him.  We have the promise of Him and eternity with Him, something Enoch was able to enter into without having to die.  There is ample evidence for God’s existence (Romans 1:18-26) but ultimately we are believing in One we cannot see.  So like Enoch we do not see the fulfillment of our faith yet and if we don’t fall away from our faith in Him we will receive the reward He gives to those who seek Him.

We also act in faith when we draw near to God.  We converse with Him even though we cannot speak face to face.  Indeed, we may sense His response to us in various ways, but we are finally trusting in the One we cannot see.  So even though we cannot see yet the fulfillment of all God has promised us in Christ our faith gives us the certain hope that it will come to pass.

Once the great Napoleon was reviewing troops when his horse bolted. A quick thinking private helped calm the horse by grabbing the reins. Napoleon, grateful, said, “Thanks, Captain.”  Immediately the soldier replied, “of what battalion, sir?” Amazed, Napoleon answered, “Captain of the Guard!” Faith acts on what it believes because it is the assurance of things not seen.