A little girl was on a visit to her aunt, who, being a real Christian, sought to instruct the child in the knowledge of Christ. She asked the little one,
“What are the first words of the 23rd Psalm?” Promptly the answer came,
“The Lord is my Shepherd.”
“Now, these words just answer to your five fingers—try it. The—putting the finger on the thumb of the left hand; Lord —touching the first finger; is—touching the second; my—touching the third; Shepherd—touching the fourth.
“Now,” asked the aunt, “which of these five words do you like best?”
And on her little fingers she went over and over the words till at last she paused; her mind was made up—it was the one that stood for the MY. This is just what faith does. It is taking Jesus as my own Saviour, it is believing that He loved me and gave Himself for me. Faith is not content with saying, “He was wounded for our transgressions” (Isa. 53:55But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. (Isaiah 53:5)), but says, “for my transgressions.”
Not only, “He gave Himself a ransom for all” (1 Tim. 2:66Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time. (1 Timothy 2:6)), but, “He gave Himself a ransom for me.” Thus faith takes all that Jesus did as done for me personally, and all His love and care, and faithfulness are my very own.
Can you say, “He loved me and gave Himself for me.” I take Him as my Saviour, and
“The Lord is MY Shepherd?”
ML 03/29/1936