The Key West citizen., 1954-12-11
Truth In Songs
SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON
Ysarains for HE living God.
Psalms a, "a. 102:25.27

Ysaraing for HE living God.
Psalms a. "a, l02:25-27
BY Ralph Rogers
Is there yearning for the liv-
ing God? The author of the Psalms
used today was apparently sim
cere believer in the living God, but
happened to be in strange coun-
try surrounded by skeptics who
taunted and oppressed him about
his faith in God. Under these con-
ditions he remembered the Solace
and comfort he had enjoyed in the
Temple worship in Jerusalem. He
desperately longs for that fellow
ship with believers.
The trend today Is toward the
living God. With feeling of fear
and insecurity men are turning to-
ward God, to the church and to re-
ligious literature. The novelists,
with an eye on the best seller lists,
have known that one Of the surest
roads to big sales and book clubs
is to choose a picturesque charac-
ter from the Bible, make him more.
picturesque, and write a vaguely
pious novel about him. In recent
years the book talk has been about
such titles as The Nazarene,' The
Apostle, Mary, The Robe, The
Big Fisherman and others. Some
shade off into almost straight BIZ
ography, such as The Light of the
World, and The Greatest Story
Ever Told
These may not indicate a return
to religion. 1t does show a hunger
for some kind of religion but too
often is overloaded with fiction and
proves to be cheap bargain coun-
ter type, giving peace of mind
without repentance and thrills with
out faith. They are an anemic food
for an lanemic faith and there is a
danger of the feeling that they do
not provide a full meal. They
prove easy reading and being pre-
digested, are like some processed
foods, have lost their nutritional
value. They leave the reader many
degrees further away from histori-
cal facts. Read the book, "The
Road to Bithynia" and you find
yourself far from the facts with
still a longing for God.
Ny Soul Thirsfeth
Have you ever been thirsty?
Some years ago my son was shot
through the abdomen with twen-
ty-two bullet. 1t perforated his in.
testines in several places. The wise
and sympathetic doctor knew that
too much liquid or food would
mean his death. For more than a
week the little fellow was denied
water and food. He was so thirsty
that he really prayed for water.
How we would have liked to give
it to himl He was only allowed
little piece of ice to slowly melt in
his mouth every hour or So. This
youngster knew what it was to be
thirsty.
What made the author of the
And Psalm thirsty? He had been a
devout worshipper in the Temple.
He was accustomed to the fellow
ship Of kindred souls. He had ex-
perienced the inspiration and
strength which comes from regu-
lar and faithful public worship.
When he saw the hart or deer, per-
haps more properly the stag pant
with outstretched parched tongue
longing desperately for water, this
Israelite likened it to his own con-
tion-thirsting for the living God.
Only those who worship regularly,
not mere church members, viii ac-
tually thirst for God.
Ernie Pyle was one of the finest
Of men and one of the best report
ers of our age. He once said,
There is no sense in the struggle
tof war), but there is no choice but
to struggle. 1t seems to me that
living is futile, and death the final
indignity. i wish you would shine
any Of your light in my direction.
God knows I've run out of light. /"
Not only Ernie Pyle, but all Of us
desperately need the light. that
comes in comoanionship with God.
Where Is Thy cod7
The Psalmist asks a pertinent
question. The author thought Of the
iearness Of God in the fellowship
Of worshippers back home In the
Temple. His enemies questioned
the very existence Of God. We all
ask the question: Can we find him
only IN our own little church and
with our friends? Is he with us
when surrounded by enemies and
IN desperate need? Is he available
only on the Sabbath and does he
leave us stranded on our own
shr,.,rsl, 81. ,..n.L1 T4>c .,,--x,x. L.