Well-Pleasing Unto God.

“ENOCH had this testimony, that he pleased God” (Heb. xi. 5), and a wondrous testimony it was.  Such a glorious record for a man to leave behind him!  We have not far to look for the secret of success—“He walked with God,” and ever knew the joy of daily communion with his Lord.  Yet how comparatively few of us realise what it is to truly walk with God; what a privilege it is, and what an unfailing source of happiness to be in fellowship with Him—to have that sweet interchange of thought, as friend communes with friend, ever learning something more of His hidden beauties, which are only to be found by studying Him closely and seeking to gain a deeper insight of that love which passeth knowledge!
I would, however, direct your thoughts, not to Enoch, but to Christ, our perfect Example, whose sole delight was to do His Father’s will. “I do always those things that please Him,” are the words of the Divine Master; His aim and chief object was to glorify the Father, and so should this be the echo of each of His children.  How careful men are to stand high in the world’s estimation, and often, alas! we think more of its praise and flattery than the approving smile of One who redeemed us that we might show forth the riches of His grace.  Ah! beloved, let us labour with singleness of heart for the Lord, and seek only to find favour in His sight.  May our motto be, “All for Jesus!”  Nought that we possess can we call our own apart from Him; “redeemed” includes not only self, but all that pertains to self, and may the Lord enable us to unreservedly yield all that is rightfully His.  If our hearts are filled with real love for the Lord, this will not be difficult, and any service must prove very sweet when done to Him, for “love lightens labour.”  Would that we were more willing to say with Paul, “This one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind . . . I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”  Beloved, study to show thyself approved unto God; strive to magnify Him in whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, and thus shalt thou indeed be found well-pleasing unto the Lord.
Glenvar.   W. A. G.
“Footsteps of Truth” 1883