Focus: What Do You Know? (Pt.3)

Text: Heb.10:34

"For ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance."

See the word knowl-edge; it shows that knowledge gives you an edge or advantage over others. Knowing something is essential to being happy in this life. Sure knowledge keeps you going amid life's challenges and difficulties, especially the knowledge of God. Sure knowledge of God results in a firm faith.

Hannah tells us that "the LORD is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed" (1Sam.2:3). 

He is the all-knowing God, and His knowledge preserves and prospers us wherever we are and in whatever we do.

Balaam describes himself as one who has "heard the words of God, and knew the knowledge of the most High, which saw the vision of the Almighty, falling into a trance, but having his eyes open" (Num.24:16). Mark that phrase, "the knowledge of the most High." Paul calls it, "the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ" (2Cor.4:6). In Proverbs, it is said that "the knowledge of the holy is understanding" (Prov.9:10; 30:3). Habakkuk calls it, "the knowledge of the glory of the LORD" (Hab.2:14). Luke tells us that it is the "knowledge of salvation" (Lk.1:77). He says that it is the "knowledge of that way" (Act.24:22). Paul says it is the "knowledge of him," that is Christ (Eph.1:17), the "knowledge of the Son of God" (Eph.4:13), the "excellency of the knowledge of Christ" (Phil.3:8), the "knowledge of his will" (Col.1:9), the "knowledge of the truth" (1Tim.2:4; 2Tim.3:7; Heb.10:26), "the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ" (2Pet.1:8), the "knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ" (2Pet.2:20), and the "knowledge in the mystery of Christ" (Eph.3:4). This knowledge gives one's life on earth a firm foundation.

The Word tells us that "Hezekiah spake comfortably unto all the Levites that taught the good knowledge of the LORD" (2Chron.30:22). Here we take note of the "good knowledge of the LORD." The knowledge of God is good. Not only is God's knowledge good, but it is also fragrant. Paul talks of "the savour of his knowledge" (2Cor.2:14). The psalmist says, "Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it" (Ps.139:6). 

The knowledge of God is wonderful, and it is wonderful to know that we are fearfully and wonderfully made and blessed by God.

In Proverbs and other Scriptures, we are instructed to "find the knowledge of God" (Prov.2:5; Rom.11:33; 1Cor.15:34; 2Cor.10:5). There's no substitute for the knowledge of God.

The author of Ecclesiastes says, "For wisdom is a defence, and money is a defence: but the EXCELLENCY OF KNOWLEDGE is, that wisdom giveth life to them that have it" (Eccl.7:12). The knowledge of God is excellent; we excel by it.

What do you know? Nicodemus says, "Rabbi, WE KNOW that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him" (Jh.3:2). 

I pray that you know something - something that will not only help you to survive life's struggles, but also to succeed in your life's endeavors. You need not be ignorant in a world where knowledge abounds. The worst of ignorance is found in those who ignore knowledge or take it granted. Knowledge is right there with them, but they choose to ignore it. Get to know something, and get hold of it for as long as you live.

by Bishop Moses E. Peter