Meditation

08/27/2020

“Enoch walked with God; then he was no more, because God took him away.” (Genesis5:24)

Death is the outcome of life is stated eight times in this chapter of Genesis. This verse, however, breaks the pattern. Personal existence after physical death was not clearly taught in the early biblical literature.

Practically every activity of the time required walking, and the term came to refer to the entire course of life itself. Enoch’s life was spent in the company of God. This verse indicates a basis for that belief even in these early genealogies. In this and other ways God revealed that our life extends beyond this world.

PRAYER FOR THE DAY:

Precious Abba, Enoch walked with you for a long, long time, and continues to, to this day. He was a true believer and sought through his life, to live as You commanded. You are still worthy in our current times, and maybe more that ever before. As believers, we at times falter in our beliefs, not always immediately go to you in prayer, but it is out desire to seek You out in our lives. Forgive us when we try to solve our problems, instead of taking them to You in prayer as we should. Let our momentary slips, be a reminder that we are to take all things to You, large and small. This we pray in Jesus’ precious name. Amen

THOUGHT OF THE DAY:

“There is nothing too small in the service of God.”

KNOWING GOD:

“But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is not resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. More than that, we are then found to be false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead. But he did not raise him if in fact the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not raised then Christ has not been raised either. And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men.” (1^st Corinthians15:12-19)

Jesus’ resurrection proves resurrection is possible, forms the center of gospel preaching, is the foundation of our faith, and gives hope for departed loved ones and us to be raised from death.

To live as a Christian is to be in Christ. To die as a Christian is to fall asleep in Him. The text presents logical reasoning that if Christ had not raised from the dead, then death would be the end for all, even believes. Here the resurrection is asserted as one of the most crucial of all doctrines, so much so that if Christ did not arise, our lives are hopeless. The resurrection of Christ insures that those fallen asleep in Him are not lost.

I AM:

“For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body” (Philippians1:21-24)

To live as Christians is a matter of having Christ and living in spiritual union with Him. To die as Christians is to gain even more. It is union with Him. To die as Christians is to gain even more. It is to be with Christ where He is. Death is eternal fellowship with Christ in heaven. The limitations of time, a sinful nature, and a body of flesh will be laid aside. The gain thereby is incalculable.

Second Thought of the Day:

“I think it is right to refresh your memory as long as I live in the tent of this body, because I know that I will soon put it aside, as our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me. And I will make every effort to see that after my departure you will always be able to remember these things.” (2^nd Peter 1:13-15)

Death is the putting off of the body. Viewed here as a tent or temporary dwelling, the present physical body must be laid aside for the permanent house not made with hands. Death will be a departure to be with the Lord.

The body is put aside, but our life continues in Christ through resurrection. The brief time in this life should leave behind memories of what God has done and taught through us.