The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1921-08-11


and he was not,
for God took linn"
How startling is this invasion of
life's order! We cannot understand
IT, We have no precedents in our lit
tie world TO help us. Nothing but
funeral bells tolling mournful process
sions, slowly vending their way TO
the appointed place, and precious
mound left in Gods acre as me-
, mortal TO those who have lived, and
loved-and gone.
But il was just as miraculous In
the days when Enoch lived as now,
for we read this sorrOwfu story of
mans day-"He y lived"-"He begat
sons and daughters"-"IIe died"
This is the story, until we are star
tied with an interruption. Here is
new epitaph, "Enoch walked with God,
did not see death. Instead of the de-
scent into the grave, he went the
ascent unto God. What reward
Not TO see death, that last dread en-
envy. Such was Enoch's experience.
What for? Read the simple line that
records his exploits-"he walked with
God" Well, what is there in that to
earn distinction? Just this. Enoch
dared to do the unusual--tO walk with
God when the whole world was walk
ing from God. That was heroic
venture; to be different from all the
rns-f
walked with Cod"
The whole content of our inquiry
centers in HE phrase, walked with
God" What does that mean? 1t Is
very simple act To walk with one an
other but 10 walk with God-that is
different.
1t meant cOmpaniOnship with God.
Enoch went where God went, never
the opposite. God chose the path and
Enoch followed.
farmer deacon of mine had
yoke of twin oxen, exactly alike-al-
ways OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES but he
told me one always stepped off first
led the way. God always leads. There
can be no walk except we follow Him.
To walk with God meant to talk
with Him. This we call COMMUNION.
Talk and walk always go together.
But it is Il peculiar kind of tax;
strangely personal-sweetly confden-
tial. Why? Because of the alone
ness others are shut out. Many
home of love and happiness began In
IN. hnl 70
Who can love and not talk about 1t?
God waits and longs to have us tell
Him that we love him.
To walk with God meant TO talk
about God. Jude says, "Enoch
prophesed" which means "he talked
about" This is the inevitable of
walk--to talk about the one you have
walked with, for discoveries are made,
condolences are given, mysteries are
explained. But, oh, think of the nc
cumulating wealth treasured up in
walk with God. And ii is so natural
10 talk about God if we walk with
Hin.
Now read the simple circumstance
of Enoch's walk: "lIe begat sons and
daughters" In the midst of the daily
routine of bread winning-the prob
lens of bringing up the children-the
delicate relations with friends and
neighbors-"EnOch walked with God"
So can we. The same old trail can be
pressed by our feet, and the same,
beautiful walk and communion may
be ours.
Enoch was DOUBLY rewarded-he
pleased God. God told him so. He
saw the sunlit face of God. He caught
the overlooking JOY from the heart Of
God. He lived In n garden of delights.
The gates Of paradise welcomed him
TO the old TRUSTING place under the
tree of life"
Oh, think of all this-pleasing God.
So can we. The path Is here. Enoch's
Companion waits. VIII you go walk
ing with God? He was translated. We
may he. Enoch's reward was to be
shared with generation. The apostle
Paul startles us with the betrayal Of
a secret, I'VE shall not all Sleep" but
I'VE who are alive and remain shall
he caught up TO he with the Lord"
This is the promised translation OF
some. Oh, let us walk with God. II
may be that the end Of our walk shall
be the open door of heaven admitting
us TO glory. II may be today7 Oh, can
you say you are ready?