Notes of Faith November 7, 2025
Pleasing God
By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death, “and was not found, because God had taken him”; for before he was taken he had this testimony, that he pleased God.
Hebrews 11:5
Adam and Eve had two sons, Cain and Abel—and the former murdered the latter. The seventh-generation descendant from Adam in the line of Cain was named Lamech, known for his carnal ways. After Cain and Abel, Adam and Eve had another son named Seth. The seventh-generation descendant from Adam in the line of Seth was Enoch, who “pleased God.” Enoch’s great-grandson was Noah.
The generations leading up to Noah were characterized by darkness—men like Enoch and Noah being exceptions. Of both these men it is recorded that they “walked with God” (Genesis 5:24; 6:9). And God singled out both of them. Noah was commissioned to build an ark and save a remnant of creation with which to restart the earth after a great flood. But Enoch was removed from the dark earth by God and taken to heaven like Elijah (2 Kings 2:11)—an apparent reward for his faith and faithfulness.
Walking by faith in a dark world is not easy, but we can follow Enoch’s example and be Christ’s light for the world.
We are not here to commune with darkness but to conquer it.
Vance Havner
Heb 11:1-16
11 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. 2 For by it the men of old gained approval.
3 By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things which are visible. 4 By faith Abel offered to God a better sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained the testimony that he was righteous, God testifying about his gifts, and through faith, though he is dead, he still speaks. 5 By faith Enoch was taken up so that he would not see death; AND HE WAS NOT FOUND BECAUSE GOD TOOK HIM UP; for he obtained the witness that before his being taken up he was pleasing to God. 6 And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him. 7 By faith Noah, being warned by God about things not yet seen, in reverence prepared an ark for the salvation of his household, by which he condemned the world, and became an heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.
8 By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed by going out to a place which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing where he was going. 9 By faith he lived as an alien in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, fellow heirs of the same promise; 10 for he was looking for the city which has foundations, whose architect and builder is God. 11 By faith even Sarah herself received ability to conceive, even beyond the proper time of life, since she considered Him faithful who had promised. 12 Therefore there was born even of one man, and him as good as dead at that, as many descendants AS THE STARS OF HEAVEN IN NUMBER, AND INNUMERABLE AS THE SAND WHICH IS BY THE SEASHORE.
13 All these died in faith, without receiving the promises, but having seen them and having welcomed them from a distance, and having confessed that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. 14 For those who say such things make it clear that they are seeking a country of their own. 15 And indeed if they had been thinking of that country from which they went out, they would have had opportunity to return. 16 But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; for He has prepared a city for them.
God may have prepared for me to die in the faith that He gave me to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ…but perhaps He gave me life in a time that will bring the return of Jesus and I will be caught up to meet Him in the clouds with the rest of His true believing church!
Let us walk boldly and bravely in this dark world and be bright lights for the glory of God … and be pleasing to Him!
Pastor Dale