was only one true God. This is whait we believe, for the Bible clearly tells us, “He that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” The second word is the name “LORD.” It is one thing to know, THE SHINING OF THE STARS When the evils of earth were greatest, The Christ Child came from afar, When the night of the world was darkest, Shone forth the Bethlehem star.
Self-existing Being,” “The I AM,” “The-Covenant Keeper,” and “The Ever-Present One.” These are just a few of the many translations of the word LORD as it appears capi talized. The orthodox Jews substitute a lesser word in public whenever they came to Jehovah, so in awe and reverence did they hold this precious name. It was actually used only once a year and that time when it was pronounced on the Great Day of Atonement by the High Priest in the Holy of Holies. It’s interesting that it appears more than 7,000 times in the Word of God. For the applica tion to the verse, it suggests to us that Jehovah is “My Shepherd.” The “I AM” is the One who takes care of me. The third word in this opening phrase is “is.” To use any other tense would destroy our hope. God is no “has-been.” If David had said, “The Lord was my Shepherd,” or “The Lord will be my Shepherd,” we might as well close up our Bibles and forget Christianity altogether. We need help now. The fourth word of the opening phrase, “The Lord is my shepherd” is most beautiful. This is what we need in relating these truths to our own lives. I f we say that Jesus is a Saviour, we would be correct, but we would not be declaring any personal connection between Him and our selves. You’ve heard the classic story of the banquet in London which was being given to honor a well-known British actor. During the program he was asked to give a recitation. One of the orations for which he had be come famous was the 23rd Psalm. The guests urged him to do it for them. He said he would on one con dition: that a minister in the audi ence, one of his life long friends, would do it as well. It was agreed and the actor articulated and enunci ated the Psalm beautifully. So im pressed was the audience that they 13
Glory and peace were its message, Love and good will to men; A peace beyond their making, A love beyond their ken. Long had the vexed world waited, The peace that He came to bring, Long have the turbulent people Looked for the righteous King.
Long has His sad creation Waited redemption's word. Long have His faithful servants Watched for their absent Lord. Long, but time draws nearer The Bridegroom comes from afar, When the night of the age is darkest, When we shall see the morning star. Faint in the dark skies gleaming, Faint on the roaring seas. But it heralds the dawn of glory And it hastens the day of peace. The glory and the peace He is bring ing, The King who comes from afar. And to Him who overcometh, He will give the morning star. and even to believe that Jesus Christ is Saviour, but do we allow Him to claim His rightful Lordship over us ? Notice in your Bible the way in which the word LORD appears. Whenever it is printed in capital letters, it means Jehovah which stands for “The Living One,” “The- — Annie Johnson Flint
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