By Faith, Enoch, Rehab and Dick...!

Read: Hebrews 11:5; Hebrews 11:31

Remembering. It can be so sweet. Even when tears are part of the mix of emotions. No wonder Memorial Day has a tender place in the hearts of those of us who love those men and women who have so faithfully served our country. We are thankful and honor them for their service.

God also has given us a chapter in His Word where people are honored for serving Him. In Hebrews 11, we read about many people whom God memorialized because they walked in faith. That is why those who know Jesus sometimes call this chapter the "Hall of Faith." Because it is in these verses that we're treated to little portraits that show us what faith looks like. If we may, let's have fun by looking at two of them, Enoch and Rehab. Along with Dick. More about him in a bit. He was a cherished member of this church who is now enjoying the fruits of his faith along with his precious wife Doris and their daughter Nancy who used to, but who now no longer has special needs.

First Enoch. We first meet him in Genesis 5:21-24. What does faith look like in Enoch's snapshot? We are simply told that after his son was born that Enoch walked faithfully with God. We don't know what that looked like in Enoch's particular circumstances of life. We simply know that God took him up to be with Him without Enoch's having to die.

We don't know if his deeds were extraordinary or everyday step by step obedience, and maybe that is good. However he lived, we know that he pleased and honored God, Hebrews 11:5. In 1 Corinthians 10:31, we are reminded that we can be like Enoch.

Honoring God as we do life. Bearing fruit as we abide with Jesus, John 15:5. Yielding to His Spirit As we go about our days, Galatians 5:25-26. Like Enoch, we can walk with God in Spirit-led obedience. Whether what we do seems to make a big splash or barely makes a little ripple.

Second, Rahab. We first meet her in Joshua 2:1-11. It is in these verses that we learn that she had the kind of faith that was easily seen by those with whom she came in contact. Like the rest of the people in Jericho, Rahab had heard about the God of Joshua and how He had caused His people to be victorious. Defeating enemies who were stronger than they were. However, there was a huge difference between Rahab's reaction to what she knew about God than the reaction of the people of Jericho. Rahab knew that this God--the Only God--was the One to be feared, and her actions spoke loudly. She wanted this God to be her God. How different it was for the rest of the people of Jericho. Though they were fearful, and though their hearts melted with fright, they did not turn to God to obtain His help. Rahab's faith caused her to act by hiding the spies. She protected God's men, Hebrews 11:31, and God saw to it that she was kept safe. Along with all those who took refuge in her house.

Two people with faith. Walking in obedience to God. Their lives were different both before they walked out their faith and as they did so, but they both pleased God.

Okay, Let's meet Dick and see what his life of faith looked like. To do that, let's glimpse three snapshots from his life. Dick had Parkinson's disease, and as it advanced, Dick's life changed. I remember the time that several of the church men went over to Dick and Doris' home to help cut wood for the winter. I'll never forget Dick's lament which he spoke to my husband. "Would you believe that I used to be a welder?" He said that because his hands shook, and he was not able to help with the project that the men were doing. However, he remained faithful even through the changes that he wished weren't a part of his life.

There also was the time that Dick approached my husband and I. He wanted to come once a week to pray with us. He believed that God was going to heal one or both of us of our blindness. It didn't happen, but those were sweet times of prayer, and I believe that God did precious things through them. I believe that Dick was disappointed though. Even so, he didn't stop praying. This was a reminder that God answers prayer in ways that aren't always obvious to us. He simply asks us to continue to be faithful, Luke 18:1.

Simple, but not easy, obedience.

One more picture. It once again had to do with the Parkinson's. Every now and again, the church would have a time where we could request hymns or choruses. I can't forget those times when Dick would say, "Let's sing Our God Reigns." We could hear his hands shake a bit as he held the book in them, and I would think of the joy of knowing that when God reigned, as He has promised, that Dick's hands would be steady and strong. The way they are now. Dick was faithful to remind us that the new kingdom with King Jesus was a certainty, Revelation 21-22, and I can't hear that song without a smile and a joyful memory of Dick.

Thank You Lord for Your people who have walked by faith.

Help us to do the same.