The Reading of Psalm 23

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 the 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 aback by this unusual
request, but he allowed the young man to come forward
and to 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 really makes a difference.

Author Unknown
Jeremiah 24:7 "I will give them a heart to know me,
that I am the Lord. They will be my people, and I will
be their God, for they will return to me with all
their heart."