23rd Psalm

[Casslanpepci]

I can across this story and thought I would share it.

There was once a Shakespearean actor who was known everywhere for his one-man show of readings and recitations from the classics. He would always end his performance with a dramatic reading of Psalm 23. Each night, without exception, as the actor began his recitation - "The Lord is my shepherd. I shall not want" - the crowd would listen attentively. And then, at he conclusion of the psalm, they would rise in thunderous applause in appreciation of the actor's incredible ability to bring the verse to life.

But one night, just before the actor was to offer his customary recital of Psalm 23, a young man from the audience spoke up, "Sir do you mind if tonight I recite Psalm 23?" The actor was quite taken back by this unusual request, but he allowed the young man to come forward and stand front and center on the stage to recite the psalm, knowing the ability of this unskilled youth would be no match for his won talent.

With a soft voice, the young man began to recite the words of the psalm. When he had finished, there was no applause. There was no standing ovation as on other nights. all that could be heard was the sound of weeping. The audience had been so moved by the young man's recitation that every eye was full of tears.

Amazed by what he had heard, the actor said to the youth, "I don't understand. I have been performing Psalm 23 for years. I have a lifetime of experience and training, but I have never been able to move an audience as you have tonight. Tell me, what is your secret?"

The young man humbly replied, "Well, sir, you know the psalm...but I know the Shepherd."

Author Unknown

 

[CShephard53]

As an LDS, do you know the savior?

 

[Casslanpepci]

As an LDS, do you know the savior?

I know that Jesus is my Saviour, that he gave his life for me, a sinner, rose again the third day, and, after a short stay, ascended into heaven.

 

[CShephard53]

I know that Jesus is my Saviour, that he gave his life for me, a sinner, rose again the third day, and, after a short stay, ascended into heaven.

Nice quote, where's it from?

 

[Casslanpepci]

Nice quote, where's it from?

ME, thank you very much.

 

[CShephard53]

Oh, then you won't mind telling me the meaning behind it.

 

[Casslanpepci]

Oh, then you won't mind telling me the meaning behind it.

Speaking only for myself: Only having faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and no other can I be saved. Because of God's love for all the human race, he sent His Only Begotten Son, Jesus, to pay the price for all my sins, by freely shedding His blood, by giving up his life upon the cross, so that I might be reconciled to God and obtain eternal life and be with Him forever.

After he spent 3 days in the tomb, wherein he, [according to 1Peter 3:19-20 KJV] went and preached to the spirits in prison, He rose from the dead. He spent time with His disciples before He ascended into heaven where He will prepare a place for me.

 

[Rdr Iakovos]

Thanks for sharing this beautiful illustration, Ephraimsdaughter.

As a historic note:
The Psalm of David that is numbered 23 was written by David- not when he was a young shepherd- but when he was hiding from Absalom, his son. His son led a rebellion, and intended to kill David the king.

Now imagine this:
David had been there, done that-
he had been promised a kingdom, then hid in the caves to save his own skin.
How many of us have faced a great hardship, overcame/got through, and received a blessing- only to have that blessing taken away agin? How many of us would be brought to despair and anger in such a case?
Yet david, in that hour, said the following:
"Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all of the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever."
Surely, he knew the Shepherd.
Then contemplate this:
The Alpha and Omega sits on the throne of David.
Surely our Lord rewards those who believe.
Amen.
Bless you, sister

 

[CShephard53]

Speaking only for myself: Only having faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and no other can I be saved. Because of God's love for all the human race, he sent His Only Begotten Son, Jesus, to pay the price for all my sins, by freely shedding His blood, by giving up his life upon the cross, so that I might be reconciled to God and obtain eternal life and be with Him forever.

After he spent 3 days in the tomb, wherein he, [according to 1Peter 3:19-20 KJV] went and preached to the spirits in prison, He rose from the dead. He spent time with His disciples before He ascended into heaven where He will prepare a place for me.

Let me clarify- perhaps you could tell me the real meaning behind your theological terms.

 

[Celticflower]

A pstor I knew had a story connected with this psalm. He was visiting a young woman with a terminal illness at the hospital. She was very near death. The family asked him to read the 23rd Psalm, as it was a favorite of all the family in attendence. When he reached the line -"Thy rod and Thy staff, they comfort me", the dying woman interrupted him, pulled him close and asked who the people in the room were. He told her that her parents, siblings and an aunt and uncle were there. She said "I know them pastor, I mean those other people in white behind you". There was no one visisble behind him. When he started reading the line again he was struck by the word staff -- could the woman be seeing angels (members of God's staff) sent to comfort and guide her thru death?

 

[Casslanpepci]

Let me clarify- perhaps you could tell me the real meaning behind your theological terms.

What theological terms are you referring to?

 

[CShephard53]

How about you start with 'saved', 'love', 'prepare a place for you', and 'eternal life'?

 

[Casslanpepci]

How about you start with 'saved', 'love', 'prepare a place for you', and 'eternal life'?

All scriptures from KJV.

Love: God is love (1John4:8) It is unconditional.

Saved: From sin, from death, from eternal damnation. By having faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; repenting of our sins, we will be saved.

"...that it is by grace we are saved, after all we can do." (2Nephi 25:23)
(After all we can do: We must accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour; we must repent of our sins; we must keep the commandments.)

If after being saved we reject Christ and his atoning sacrifice then: "For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, If they should fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame." (Hebrews 6:4-6)

And if we wilfully sin, the same applies: "For if we sin willfully after that we have received knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, But a certain fearful looking for the judgment and firey indignation which shall devour the adversaries." (Hebrews 10:26-27)

Eternal Life: "The wages of sin is death: but the gift of God is eternal life, through Jesus Christ our Lord."
(Romans 6:23) Though it is a gift of God, Jesus himself said, in response to the question on what to do to have eternal life: "...but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments." (Matthew 19:16-17 [18-22]). And also "...whosoever believeth in him {Jesus} should not perish, but have everlasting life." (John 3:16).
So conditions were placed upon who could receive eternal life with God - specifically belief in Jesus and keeping the commandments. Since all people are resurrected - the just and the unjust, then the non-believers, the wicked, would have eternal life but with the devil and his angels instead - see Revelation 20:12-15; 21:8,27.

Prepare a place: Many mansions - The Lord Jesus prepares a place in which all his loyal followers will reside - John 14:2-3.

I will not be responding to any further questions.

Finis

 

[CShephard53]

It's nice to finally get those answers from a JW. Last time I asked, no one even bothered answering.

 

[Casslanpepci]

It's nice to finally get those answers from a JW. Last time I asked, no one even bothered answering.

JW? Wrong faith. I am LDS [Mormon]

 

[CShephard53]

JW? Wrong faith. I am LDS [Mormon]

Even better!