"He sent his word, and healed them. . . ." Psalm 107:20
A Christian in the line of duty was once called upon to visit a man in an asylum who had severe mental hallucinations. Recalling the story in 1 Samuel 16, how David calmed Saul in his demented moments by singing one of his precious, inspired songs to him, and conscious too of the power of the Bible upon his own soul, he decided to read from the Psalms to this one who was mentally tormented. He found that the Word of God had a soothing and "healing" effect upon the poor fellow. He therefore returned many times to the asylum to perform this spiritual labor of love - almost invariably with happy results. One day the superintendent, and unconverted man, said, "Your treatment may be good, but it does no always succeed." "What makes you say that?" asked the Christian. "Well," said the other, "in desperation last night I tried to calm the patient by your method, when he was in one of his perturbed and frantic moods, and my efforts failed completely." The Christian was surprised. "What portion did you read to him?" he asked. "Oh, I just began at the front - all about a most high and mighty king named James . . . !" Apparently in his ignorance the attendant had read the preface to the King James Bible, which of course was not inspired. No wonder it had no effect! Only the life-giving Word of God has attached to it the immutable promise: "It shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please" (Isaiah 55:11). No one can read the Scripture and remain unmoved! The Bible's influence cannot be shaken off. Every time it comes in contact with us it either increases our doom or draws us graciously toward Heaven!
What effect does the Bible have upon you?
"Bread For Each Day"
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