Exodus 8:19 And the magicians said to Pharaoh, This is the finger of God. And Pharaoh's heart was hardened, and he did not listen to them, as Jehovah had said.

When I read the above text, I was struck by the fact that these magicians recognized the work of God and acknowledged that it was God doing these things. It made me wonder how these men could know there is a God but still be working with the devil. I wondered what would make them choose Satan over God? I realize that their culture had something to do with it, but even in their culture they recognized a power higher and stronger than theirs, and yet still did not choose that stronger power.

I think we're all in danger of making the same mistake those magicians did. It's easy to become so involved in Church work that we desire recognition and position more than a close walk with God. Or we mistake church involvement with a close relationship with God. There is only one way to develop a friendship or a close relationship with God and that is by reading the Bible and total surrender to God. The only way to really know God is to read His book, to see how He dealt with others in the past, and to see how He brought about Salvation for all of us. It is by total surrender that we are able to hear what God has to say to us personally.

It is so important to guard our time with God so that we never become disconnected with Him in our thoughts and actions. Keeping our lives so full of God that there isn't room for the devil to sneak in anywhere.