DATE WRITTEN: Wednesday, 2021-01-06
WRITTEN AT: Paul B Johnson State Park, Hattiesburg, MS

BIBLE REFERENCE: Genesis 3:22-24
TRANSLATION: Contemporary English Version (CEV)

BIBLE TEXT: ²² The Lord said, “These people now know the difference between right and wrong, just as we do. But they must not be allowed to eat fruit from the tree that lets them live forever.” ²³ So the Lord God sent them out of the Garden of Eden, where they would have to work the ground from which the man had been made. ²⁴ Then God put winged creatures at the entrance to the garden and a flaming, flashing sword to guard the way to the life-giving tree.

OBSERVATION: Whenever my mom saw something rare and marvelous happen, I remember my her exclaiming ‘oh the wisdom of man’. I also remember hearing my grandmother saying ‘Man, he has the knowledge to send people to the moon, but not smart enough to save his soul from Hell’! As I restart my reading of the Bible, I am always amazed by the new things that God always brings to my attention. Truly this is the ‘Living Word of God’! Meditate on the Word of God with me today friends.

APPLICATION: There are so many things that we could reflect on, and marvel over, as we look at the knowledge of mankind. I had a 7-hr surgery last year, where most of my cervical vertebrae were replaced through very small tubes and with robotic arms – truly unbelievable. And there are tons of other miraculous medical advancements that we could think of. Men has landed on the moon, and we now have humans living in space in the International Space Station. Who would have dreamed that mankind would ever develop such knowledge to accomplish such a feat? However, I believe that God would have us ponder the idea of why mankind chooses to make some of the foolish decisions that adds nothing positive to life. Here are some examples that crossed my mind as I pondered this:
~ God told us in John 3:16 that He loves us all, and that He died for us all, so that everyone who believes on His Son (surrenders lordship to Jesus and accepts His guiding hand/His will for life), that they would be assured of eternal life in heaven. Yet many would block their ears to hearing the Word, while others will choose to accept the love of God, knowing that it is unconditional, and hope for the best while they continue to practice every evil or leading of Satan here on this earth. What happened to knowledge or reasoning in this?
~ Some will choose to believe certain parts of the Bible that appease them, while rejecting other parts that must certainly be pointed at other individuals. What happened to knowledge or reasoning in this? Is it not clear enough in the Bible that Jesus died for us all and that God loves us all? Is it not clear that the Word of God was ordained by God to save the lost, enrich the lives of those who have accepted Jesus, and speak soberly to the lives of those who are hardened to the things of God?
~ Some realize that God is all-powerful and that He could do such things as heal the sick, make the blind to see again, make the lame to walk again, and even raise the dead to life again, but when we face either of these scenarios in our lives, do we first reach out to God for His healing touch on our lives? Although I have faith to believe that God can and will work through our medical professionals, our pastors and our lay leadership, yet I know that the throne of grace is open to all who call on the name of the Lord, and I am convinced that God will answer the pleas of His children in His way and in His time. However, please remember that ‘No’ is also an answer!
Friends, God said it from the very beginning that we have knowledge just like the triune God has. Oh that we would learn to always apply that knowledge in all areas of our life. Remember, seek God first, and all these things will be granted to you!

PRAYER: Thank You Lord that You are all-knowing and all-powerful. Thank You for also blessing us with so much knowledge. Please open our hearts and our understanding to always seek You first in all things, so that You may pour out your blessings on us and be glorified through our efforts while here on earth. The world says ‘Knowledge is power’. Praise to the God of all knowledge, we serve an awesome God who is so much greater than the whole world! Oh that we would always seek You in every challenge of life, and praise You for all our blessings. AMEN!

FOOTNOTE: There are two more pages on my blog at https://NuggetsFromGodsWord.org that will provide you with additional information, one of them being ‘To Know Jesus’. If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading or listening to this devotional, please go to the above page, or speak with a local Bible Teaching Pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com. Please allow someone to pray with you and give you help and/or encouragement as you begin, or continue your walk with Jesus. If this devotional was forwarded to you and you would like to see more, please go to Nuggets From God’s Word and see all of my posts, or you may freely subscribe for a daily email conveniently containing each day’s devotional. I would encourage you to find a church home near by your home, and attend as frequently as you could. Get to know God, and allow His people to encourage and strengthen you in your Christian walk, while making every effort to be a blessing to them. God is at work among His people! Please consider growing in your faith, as you worship with fellow believers!