In grade school, I attended the Day School Gospel League (DSGL), a meeting for children held weekly after school by Christian ladies of the community to teach gospel stories, lead hymns and songs, and encourage Bible memorization. In today’s secular climate, no such Christian club would be welcomed in an elementary school! In my time, though, it was well attended, and I memorized the list of Bible verses to get my diploma. Too shy to repeat my verses in the clubroom in front of my classmates, I knocked on the door of one of the DSGL teachers one day after school, and she graciously welcomed me and allowed me to recite my verses one-on-one. I had never done that before!
The book of Hebrews tells of two men who experienced things that had never been done before in their lives or in those of their people: Enoch and Noah.
“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. But 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 diligently seek Him. By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.” (Hebrews 11:5-7 NKJV)
Enoch, of the seventh generation from Adam, is someone of whom we know little. In Genesis 5:21-24, Enoch is described as a man of faith, in close communion with God, showing by his life and ministry the faith that pleases God and is rewarded by Him. He is described elsewhere only in Jude 1:14-15 as a prophet who warned about the coming judgment on ungodly deeds and harsh things spoken against God. To him, the Lord did what had never been done before: He took Enoch to heaven without dying first!
Noah, being warned of coming disaster, also did what had never been done before: he built a wooden boat capable of rescuing his family and pairs of all God’s creatures from a coming flood. His faith was demonstrated not just by agreeing with God’s instructions, but by obeying them with reverence. It is not recorded that Noah ever preached a sermon; his actions showed his faith, and his conduct made him an heir of righteousness.
In a quickly changing world, we may not believe that things that have never been done before can truly happen, but they do. Each time a new believer takes that step of faith towards God, believing in Him and His rewards for those who follow Him, there is a new creation! Will you pray for those whose hearts have been prepared to meet our Lord God in faith, that they might accept His forgiveness of sin and promise of eternal life? Will you let your life be a testimony to miracles that have never been done before?
Prayer: We thank You, Lord, for the faith in our hearts that pleases You, because we believe in the great “I AM”. We trust in Jesus’ promise of eternal life for all who diligently follow You. Amen.
Copyright © 2022, by Shirley Moulton <shirley_moulton@yahoo.ca>, first published on the PresbyCan Daily Devotional presbycan.ca
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Used with the permission of PresbyCan and author.
