Subject: Let Your Ambition be to "Please God".......

In just three words the Holy Spirit records the testimony of
Enoch's life: "He pleased God" (Heb. 11:5). There is no
mention of wealth amassed or of earthly honours obtained.
There is no record of sermons preached or of good deeds
done, nor even of the souls led to God through his witness.
Neither are we told how popular or famous he became. No,
instead of all this his life is summed up in that one tense
sentence, "He pleased God." That is all, and that is enough.
It is indeed the only thing that will have value in
eternity. The Bible tells us that God created all things
"for his pleasure" (Rev. 4:11). It follows therefore that
the measure in which we please God is the true measure of
the effectiveness of our lives. In no other way is the cost
of our redemption justified. Our very existence on earth is
meaningless if God is not thereby glorified.

How subtle is the self-life, how deceitful the human heart!
How readily does it lead us captive to this world's
treasures! "Oh," it exclaims, "such wealth and pleasure are
too precious by far to be given up for the doubtful
satisfaction of following the Lord utterly. Surely this
Christian race can be run on easier terms! Public opinion is
against extremes. Let us take it easy. Let us live for God
in moderation!"

God would deliver us from such faithless thinking. He would
have us lay aside every weight and go for the prize. He
desires that we should turn from the world's base standards
and be satisfied with nothing less than His highest. What
matters the honour of men to the man whom God would honour?
Of what value is this world's wealth when heaven's wealth is
at stake?

Do you seek earthly security for your life? Do you hope
somehow to insure it against the risks of faith? Then,
believe me, you will most certainly lose it. You will have
nothing to show at the end.

Change you mind! Be prepared to throw away your life for
Jesus' sake. Suffer hardship for His gospel. You will never
regret the decision. You will find there is no waste, no
true loss at all. On the contrary you will discover that
eternal fruits spring from the seed you have planted. The
heavenly rewards will far outweigh the offering you lay at
His feet. For "the world passeth away, and the lust thereof:
but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever" (1 John
2:17). In the day when Christ returns in glory and the
present order of things is no more, they who have followed
Him wholly will forget all the costliness in the unspeakable
joys before them.

A  day  is coming when we shall be caught up to the portals
of heaven's glory to stand  before our Lord. Then, in the
presence of the highest dignitaries of heaven, redeemed men
and women who on earth have been faithful to their trust
will be rewarded by the King of kings Himself. I can
imagine, in that day, Enoch walking forward when his name is
called, and the citation being read: "He pleased God." Yes,
he may have been mocked and ridiculed on earth for three
hundred years and more but now amidst deafening angelic
applause he is decorated with heaven's highest award for
gallantry in battle. I see, too, the apostle Paul step
forward when his turn comes to receive a similar
recognition. On earth he was a considered a fanatic and a
fool; here there is laid up for him a crown of life. All the
years of suffering are forgotten in that moment of time. The
joy that takes its place springs from the knowledge that God
has been pleased, and this is a joy that abides for all
eternity.

And then your turn will come, and mine. What will the
citation read, dear brother, dear sister? When we stand
there stripped of all the religious veneer, all the outward
shame and pretense that covered our lives on earth, what will
be left? Will you know only sorrow at your emptiness in that
day? Will you bitterly regret the worthless choices made,
the opportunities lightly thrown away? Or will you take your
place there alongside Enoch and Paul?

Let us, then, give earnest heed to His Word. Let us take
serious account of the priorities of life, for eternal
values hang upon them. And let us determine from this day to
give the supreme place to our Lord Jesus in all things.
There is a life to be lived on earth, and a race to be run,
that will call for everything we have to give. But the race
has a goal, and the life has a prize, alongside which all
that earth has to offer will seem but the vilest refuse. For
when we enter the presence of the King, no music will
compare with His welcoming words: "Well done, good and
faithful servant! Enter thou into the joy of thy Lord."

"Behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give
to every man according as his work shall be." (Revelation
22:12)