Walking With God (Genesis 5)
In a world that was growing darker and more corrupt, Enoch’s life shone brightly. Imagine walking so closely with God, being so connected to Him that your days radiate His presence and your choices reflect His wisdom. This was Enoch—a man who stands out in Scripture, not because of a mighty battle fought or a kingdom ruled, but because of the quiet, steady beauty of his walk with God.
Genesis 5:24 simply says, “Enoch walked with God, and he was not, for God took him.” (ESV) How extraordinary. Out of all humanity, God chose to take Enoch—a man who lived under the same curse of death we see in Genesis 3, surrounded by men who are growing increasingly wicked as we see in 4-6. Enoch’s life defied the norm, and instead of dying, he was taken directly into God’s presence. Only two others in all of Scripture experience anything like this: Elijah, who was taken up in a whirlwind, and Jesus, who ascended into heaven.
This uniqueness should make us pause and wonder: What kind of relationship did Enoch have with God? What did he do that pleased God so much? These are questions worth asking, because they compel us to seek the same closeness with God—a walk so faithful and intimate that it transforms everything about our lives. Today, we’re going to explore what it means to walk with God like Enoch. We want to know how we can walk with Him and consider how important this walk is.
I. What Does It Mean to Walk with God?
Think about walking with a close friend. Jenna and I have often gone on a lot of walks together. When we were younger we would walk every evening while the weather was pleasant, discussing what was going on in our heads, our concerns, our plans for the future, and whatever was on our minds. Now, we walk around the neighborhood doing the same thing. The walk draws us closer to each other. The journey isn’t just about reaching a destination; it’s about the conversation, the shared experiences, and the companionship along the way.
Enoch walked with God in this way. He didn’t just acknowledge God’s existence—he communed with Him daily. To walk with God means to live in harmony with Him. It’s not about sprinting ahead with our plans or lagging behind in fear. Walking with God is a steady pace of intimacy, alignment, and faithfulness.
II. How Do We Walk with God?
Key Texts: Micah 6:8; Hebrews 11:5, 6; Proverbs 3:5-6
Walking with God is something we often talk about, but how do we actually do it? What does it look like in practical, everyday life? To explore this, we turn to the example of Enoch and the guidance of Scripture.
Trust and Submission
Hebrews 11:5 tells us “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.” (ESV) Enoch’s walk wasn’t just about daily fellowship; it was about a faith that pleased God so much that death itself was bypassed. This kind of faith is what we are seeking. We need a similar closeness with God—a life that pleases Him in every step.
The next verse in the Hebrews text says, “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 11:6 (ESV) This verse underscores the foundation of Enoch’s walk with God—faith. It’s a faith that not only believes in God’s existence but also trusts in His goodness and His promises. Walking with God begins with a heart fully devoted to seeking Him and trusting in His reward."
Faith means trust and submission. This is vital for there to be a relationship with our creator. We cannot walk with Him and consider Him on equal footing. We, like children, need to keep up. We need to believe He knows what's best, relying on Him for guidance and understanding. Proverbs 3:5-6 gives us the practical steps.
Proverbs 3:5-6: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” (ESV)
Trusting God means letting go of our need to control. We all have plans, ideas, and dreams, but walking with God requires us to submit those plans to Him. It’s saying, “Lord, I trust that Your way is better than mine.” That's what Enoch does and that's how we can walk with God like Enoch.
Illustration: Imagine you’re holding a tightly clenched fist, gripping something you think you need. God says, “Open your hand.” Trust requires us to release our grip and trust that God’s provision will be far better than what we were holding onto.
Having Humility
Proverbs also reminds us not to lean on our own understanding. We live in a world that prizes independence and self-reliance, but walking with God means recognizing the limits of our wisdom and seeking His guidance daily. Prayer, Scripture, and obedience become the rhythm of our walk. That obedience isn't based on our own wisdom, but on what God has clearly defined that He is looking for.
Micah 6:8 - “He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” (ESV)
Micah 6:8 gives us a clear framework: walking with God involves humility, acting justly, and loving mercy. It’s not complicated, but it’s not always easy. It means aligning our will with His, letting go of pride, and seeking His guidance in every step. We need a heart that is focused on doing what is good because that's all that God can be a part of.
Illustration: Have you ever tried to walk with someone who was in a hurry while you wanted to slow down? Or someone who wasn’t paying attention to where they were going, kept getting distracted, or complained the whole time because they didn't want to be there? In other words, have you gone on a walk with kids? It’s frustrating, isn’t it? That’s how it feels when we’re out of step with God. Walking with Him means matching His pace, trusting His direction, wanting to be there, and staying close enough to hear His voice.
Not Walking Against Him
Enoch’s prophecy in Jude offers a sobering reminder of why we should walk with God. Jude 14-15 tells us, “It was also about these that Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied, saying, ‘Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of his holy ones, to execute judgment on all and to convict all the ungodly of all their deeds of ungodliness that they have committed in such an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things that ungodly sinners have spoken against him.’” (ESV)
This prophecy paints a stark picture of the fate of those who live in opposition to God. It’s a warning that ungodliness leads to judgment. Enoch, who walked so closely with God, stands in sharp contrast to those he prophesied against. His life reminds us that walking with God is not just about avoiding judgment; it’s about living in a way that pleases Him and stands apart from the corruption of the world.
III. Why Should We Walk with God?
Key Text: Hebrews 11:5; Romans 11:33-36; Psalm 34; Jude 14-15
But why should we desire to walk with God? Hebrews 11:5 provides a compelling answer. Read it again. “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.” (ESV)
Pleasing Our Creator, Fulfilling Our Purpose
Walking with God is not merely about receiving His guidance; it’s about returning to God's presence and the tree of life. But we shouldn't just walk with God for what he can give us. We should want to walk with God because of who he is! We serve the creator of the universe and he wants to walk with us!
Opportunity of a Lifetime
Romans 11:33-36 captures the wonder of walking with God: “Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor? Or who has given a gift to him that he might be repaid? For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.” (ESV)
Sure, there are benefits that we can receive by walking with God, but just think about the honor and the gift of it all. Consider the opportunity we are being afforded. If you admire the work of someone, how great would it be for them to clear their calendar and ask you to go for a walk with them?
Eternity
Psalm 34 adds a beautiful dimension: “Those who look to him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed.” (v. 5 ESV) When we walk with God, He transforms us. He fills our lives with joy and purpose, even in the midst of affliction. The psalm also invites us to “taste and see that the Lord is good!” (v. 8 ESV) It’s an invitation to experience His presence, not just hear about it.
Illustration: Have you ever stood in awe of a breathtaking view—a sunset, a mountain range, or the stars on a clear night? Walking with God is like stepping into that awe daily. It’s knowing that the Creator of all this beauty walks beside you and invites you into His eternal joy.
Enoch walked with God, and God took him. While we may not be taken up in the same way, the hope of eternity with God is promised to those who walk with Him. It’s not just about the destination—it’s about the transformation that happens along the way.
Let this serve as a call to self-examination. Are we walking with God in faith and obedience, or are we drifting toward the path of ungodliness? The choice is clear: walk with God, and you walk toward life and hope. Walk against Him, and you walk toward judgment.
Conclusion
Let me leave you with a story that illustrates what it means to walk with God. Let me leave you with a true story that was recently turned into a film—a story about a boy who got lost on a mountain in Maine. In the chaos of a storm and a stubborn argument with his brother he lost his way. Fear began to take over. He tried to find the path, but just wondered further away. The story captivated so many because it reminds us of the vulnerability of being lost and the necessity of having a guide to lead us back. As hours turned to days, his survival depended on the lessons he had learned when he went camping with his father. After 9 days, he had travelled 80 miles and came across a home by the creek he was following (his father's lesson proved to be his salvation).
Walking with God is a lot like having a guide who can always find you and bring you back. Imagine the boy's fear had he been separated from someone who knew the way—how much easier it would have been to trust and follow. Like Enoch, we must trust God as our ultimate Guide, staying close to Him and relying on His wisdom to lead us through life’s challenges. When we stray, fear and confusion can take over, but staying with God keeps us on the right path, no matter how steep or treacherous it may seem.
This story illustrates the importance of walking with God in trust and faith. He is the one who leads us not only to safety but to the summit of joy and eternal presence with Him. Like Enoch, we walk in faith, step by step, trusting in God’s guidance and rejoicing in the privilege of His presence.
So as we reflect on Enoch’s life, let’s ask ourselves: Are we walking with God? Are we trusting Him completely, aligning our will with His, and seeking Him daily? And are we marveling at the privilege of walking with the One whose wisdom, power, and love are beyond measure?
Walking with God is not a sprint; it’s a lifetime journey of trust, intimacy, and faithfulness. Enoch’s story reminds us that even in a dark and corrupt world, it’s possible to walk closely with our Creator.
Let’s step forward today with renewed commitment to walk with God. Like Enoch, may our lives reflect His glory, and may our steps lead us ever closer to His presence.”
#echoes