Trial Gardens

And the LORD God planted a garden eastward in Eden; and there he put the man whom he had formed. Genesis 2:8

Did you know that Home Depot has trial gardens?

According to the Wall Street Journal, "Home Depot runs 25 trial gardens in nine climate zones across the U.S. and studies them in the field under a variety of conditions. After all, a plant that thrives in New Mexico might not survive in New Jersey. For security purposes, some of those experimental gardens are hidden in cornfields or through backyard donkey corrals, protected on secret farms before the plants are selected and patented."1

In a sense, God planted the first trial garden. In it, he placed a man and a woman, but they blew it big time!

What is remarkable is the fact that the original garden (Eden) was only a trial from our side. God already knew that man would fail, sin, and be cast out of the garden. In fact, God already knew that man would need a Savior, and that the cost would be enormous! Jesus, according to Revelation 13:8, was the Lamb slain before the foundation of the world. This reminds us that God already knew how the trial garden would turn out.

This incredible truth should leave us marveling—God created us knowing that to redeem us, He would have to sacrifice His Son.

Dear Heavenly Father, We stand amazed at your grace. Thank You for life, and for life eternal through Your Son, the Lord Jesus. Help us to use the life you've given us to point others to You. In Jesus' Name we pray, Amen.

1 https://www.wsj.com/business/home-depot-gardens-plants-flowers-hot-peppers-1792df6b