Daily Encouragement Net (Archive/Print Edition)

Wednesday, March 15, 2006

"The Famous One"

"Your Name, O LORD, endures forever, Your fame, O LORD, throughout all generations" (Psalm 135:13). "He will be great" (Luke 1:32).

There are many today who are famous. Next month the Rolling Stones will be having a concert in China. Most reading this have heard of the Rolling Stones regardless of where you live. They are very "famous" by human standards. More than any others, entertainers especially, have worldwide fame with devoted followers.

But as I prepare this message I am in a state of praise to the One exclusively worthy of all praise. Psalm 135 was written several thousand years ago. The human writer, unlike many of the Psalms, is not identified. It is a song of praise for God's wonderful works and contrasts His eternal value with the vanity of idols. His Name endures forever. The name of the LORD will be remembered forever, and He will be famous for all time to come.

At the close of the last century the eminent historian Paul Johnson wrote of the lasting and increasing impact of Jesus Christ. He noted that as the year 1900 approached, many leading secular thinkers believed that the progress of science would cause a decline in religious faith and the dawning of the twentieth century would mark the close of history's religious phase. "But here we are" Johnson wrote, "at the threshold of a new millennium, and Christianity is alive and well in the minds and hearts of countless believers."

Amen! This day I unashamedly declare I'm one of those countless believers. Christianity is alive because Jesus Christ, its Founder is alive. About 40 years ago John Lennon, of the "Beatles", made a proud statement comparing the popularity of his band as being greater than that of Jesus Christ. John Lennon gave an account to the Lord Jesus Christ upon his tragic departure and he found out who really is great. The "Beatles" and all others who are reckoned as famous by the world's standards in our lifetime will eventually be likened to a tiny grain of sand in recorded history. Jesus Christ is the central figure. He is great and He is the famous One in an absolutely exclusive class. Let us praise and serve Him today!

Be encouraged today,

Stephen C. Weber

Brooksyne's prayer: Lord, You are exalted over all the nations and Your glory fills the heavens. There is no other One who sits enthroned on high and yet hears the very sigh of my heart. You hear my prayer before it is even whispered on my lips and You see my need even before I am aware of it. Your greatness never keeps me at a distance. Instead You invite me to approach the throne of grace and have audience with the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, both in seasons of rejoicing and in my hour of need. Thank You, Almighty One!

Today's message is in part prompted by a song I enjoy titled, "Famous One". Here is an audio clip.

Yesterday's message had a photo of a praying mantis nest that I took on a bush in my backyard. I heard an interesting story from a friend. When she was young she had found one of these and placed it in her purse because it looked interesting. Months later she used the purse again and when she opened it was full of dead baby praying mantises! (I wonder if she ever used that purse again!) One reader who saw the photo runs a nursery and said that a customer will occasionally bring in a plant with the attached nest and asks what kind of fungus it is so they can get rid of it!

Comment on this encouragement message