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 that the ability of 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 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."

It's not enough to just know the content of the Bible--its stories, its sayings, and its teachings. Unless you know the author, the Bible is nothing more than just another book. But when you put your faith in Jesus Christ, repent of your sins, confess Jesus as the Son of God, and are buried with Him in baptism for the forgiveness of your sins, the Bible truly becomes "living and active--sharper than any two-edged sword." (Hebrews 4:12)

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