Day 5 Through the Bible
Day 5: Living by Faith — Trusting in God’s Absolute Truth
Biblical Principle - Absolute Truth from God’s Word:
The foundation of the Christian life is faith in God’s ultimate sovereignty, wisdom, and understanding. We are called to live by faith, trusting God knows what is best for us, even when we cannot see or understand it. The Bible teaches that there is more to life than what we perceive with our limited human vision. We are to believe that God’s ways are higher than our own and that He knows all things.
The life of Enoch, as described in Genesis and Hebrews, gives us a profound example of living by faith.
Genesis 5:22-24 tells us, “And Enoch walked with God after he begat Methuselah three hundred years… And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him.”
Hebrews 11:5-6 expands on this, saying, “By faith, Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God. But without faith, it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”
In both passages, Enoch’s walk with God was one of deep faith. Enoch trusted God's way was the best, even when it defied human understanding. He believed in the unseen, and as a result, God took him without him experiencing death. This was a powerful testimony of God's love for those who diligently seek Him and live by faith. Even though we may have to face death one day, eternal life is available to all who come to Christ by faith.
Practical Application - Living Out the Biblical Principle:
In today's world, we often hear that seeing is believing. The world tells us that if we can understand something with our minds, we can trust it. We want everything explained in a way that makes sense to us, something tangible and comprehensible. But the Bible offers a radically different perspective.
In Matthew 16:25, Jesus said, “For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.” This is a paradox, one that seems illogical from a worldly standpoint. The world says, "Hold on to your life and control everything you can." But Jesus says the opposite: Let go of your need to control and surrender your life to God. Only then will you indeed find life as it was meant to be.
In other words, to “win” in life, we must be willing to lose our limited understanding, preferences, and plans. We must walk in faith, trusting that God's wisdom far exceeds our own. This means we don't always need to "see" everything clearly. We must trust God’s leading and walk by faith, just like Enoch did.
Making Decisions: Faith or Sight?
How we make decisions reveals a lot about whether we live by faith or sight. Consider your choices at work, at home, or in your relationships. Do you often choose based on what seems logical, what you can see or understand? Or do you seek God's guidance and trust that He knows best, even when the situation doesn’t make sense?
For instance, when faced with a difficult decision at work, do you rely on your own knowledge and understanding of the situation, or do you also pray and seek the Holy Spirit’s direction? Are you willing to make decisions based on faith, even when the outcome is uncertain or doesn’t align with what the world would say is wise?
Similarly, do you act based on your wisdom and feelings in your personal life, or do you take time to listen to God's leading, trusting that His perspective is infinitely greater than yours?
The truth is, walking by faith requires us to make decisions that often feel uncomfortable to our human nature. It means surrendering our understanding and letting God lead us, even when we don’t have all the answers. Enoch’s life exemplifiesthis—a walk with God where faith comes before sight and trust in God’s plans supersedes our desire to control outcomes.
The Challenge: Walking with God in Faith
Today, take a moment to reflect on your own life. Are there areas where you are holding onto your understanding, trying to make sense of things with your limited perspective? Are there areas where you need to surrender and trust that God knows more than you do?
Ask yourself:
Do I truly believe that God is in control, even when life feels uncertain?
Am I willing to make faith-based decisions, even when I can’t see the whole picture?
Do I seek God’s guidance and walk with Him daily, as Enoch did, trusting that He rewards those who diligently seek Him?
Enoch’s walk with God was not just about the big moments but also about daily, faithful decisions to trust God in the small things. His life challenges us to walk by faith, even when we don’t fully understand the path ahead. When we do, we align ourselves with God's will and greater purpose for our lives. As Hebrews 11:6 reminds us, “Without faith, it is impossible to please God.”
Let’s choose to live by faith today, trusting that there is more to life than what we can see and believing that God's ways are always higher and better than our own.
Prayer:
Father, help me to walk by faith and not by sight. Give me the courage to surrender my understanding and trust in Your plans. I believe that You are sovereign and that Your wisdom far exceeds mine. Guide me in every decision, big or small, and help me to live in a way that pleases You. Thank You for the example of Enoch, who walked with You in faith and was rewarded for his diligence. May I be faithful in seeking You each day? In Jesus' name, Amen.
