There was once an actor versed in Shakespeare 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 the conclusion of the psalm, they would stand in thunderous applause in appreciation of the actor's incredible ability to bring the Psalm to life.
Then 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, confident that this unskilled youth would be no match for his own talent.
With a soft voice, the young man began to recite the words of the psalm. When he was 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 the way 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."
In John 17:3 when Jesus prayed, "And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.” He was praying that His followers would have more than a head knowledge about Him and the Father--more than knowing the Scriptures about Him. Here is a quotation to ponder regarding what kind of knowledge Jesus had in mind:
“The experimental knowledge of God and of Jesus Christ whom He has sent, transforms man into the image of God. It gives to man the mastery of himself, bringing every impulse and passion of the lower nature under the control of the higher powers of the mind. It makes its possessor a son of God and an heir of heaven. It brings him into communion with the mind of the Infinite, and opens to him the rich treasures of the universe.” Christ’s Object Lessons p. 114
To experiment means we are going to try something or test it. The Lord is delighted when we experiment with Him. Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him! Psalm 34:8. “Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.' Jeremiah 33:3 ' - Pastor Mike
