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Firsthand Knowledge

 

I have looked out across the Grand Canyon and had the incredible view of its vastness to take my breath away. I have tried on many occasions to try to explain to others the beauty of that area, but words seem inadequate to do it justice. 

There is something quite important about seeing a place first-hand. We like to see things with our own eyes.

Then I realize there are some things that cannot be explained, there must be FIRSTHAND KNOWLEDGE.

 

The 10 spies were sent out to view the land of Canaan and to bring back a report to the wandering Israelites. They did that, but in spite of some evidence of Canaan’s fruitfulness, the people turned down the idea of going in. Caleb and Joshua felt the job could be done, but the others could not be persuaded.

 

The queen of Sheba when told of King Solomon in I Kings chapter 10 had to go see for herself. In verse 7 she said, “Howbeit I believed not the words, until I came, and mine eyes had seen it: and behold, the half was not told me: thy wisdom and prosperity exceedeth the fame which I heard.

 

The talk of land flowing with milk and honey was not enough, the talk of the wisdom and prosperity of Solomon was not enough. They had not seen it. They had no FIRSTHAND KNOWLEDGE. There are some things that require firsthand knowledge to be completely understood.

 

Salvation is like that. It is difficult to explain to an unbeliever the joy and peace that comes into your heart when you put your trust in the finished work of Jesus Christ. The Apostle Paul put it like this in 

II Timothy 1:12, “For I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him against that day.”