Faith that Earnestly Seeks God

What describes a person of great faith? Belief in God’s miraculous power. Big dreams for God. Courage to attempt great feats for Him. Hebrews 11 highlights many people who displayed such inspiring characteristics. We may not expect that the Bible also presents us with a simple and grounded perspective at the start of Hebrews 11.

One of the first few faith heroes mentioned in Hebrews 11 is Enoch, widely considered a mysterious figure as not much is known about him. We are not told if he attempted great feats for God, had big dreams, or if he did any miraculous feats for God’s namesake. But what we know for certain from Genesis 5 is that Enoch “walked faithfully with God.” It was recorded that Enoch chose to relate intimately with God for a good 300 years! It was Enoch’s earnest pursuit of God throughout his entire life on Earth that earned him the commendation as a man of great faith, as a man who pleased God.

Behind the remarkable acts that outwardly demonstrate faith, faith stems from earnestly seeking after God. To seek Him in the quiet and in the chaos. In the mundane and the hustle-bustle of life. Faith calls upon God, knowing that God is true and that He rewards those who pursue after His presence. Faith chooses God, day after day, in the long race of life. God sees this internal attitude of faith, and God delights in our faith.

How would we describe our pursuit of God today? He is much more than a familiar stranger that we conveniently meet. Nor is he only a go-to for pragmatic help, answers, or direction. To earnestly seek Him is something we can all do. Enoch’s life invites us to see God as our great treasure, one we want to behold in wonder continually and to pursue. Shall we take time to pause and check our hearts? May God enable us to be people of faith who earnestly yearn after Him with all that we are and in all that we do.