A YOUNG Christian was returning from work in an Irish city a few weeks ago. There had been riots in the city a day or two previous to this, but things were now considered fairly safe and quiet. Without any apparent reason, our young friend felt, as he himself told me, “a sudden desire to call upon the Lord”. He breathed the words, “Lord Jesus!” The next moment a shot was fired at him from behind, and only just missed him. He ran away and, through God’s goodness, escaped.
“The NAME of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous runneth into it and is safe.” The above instance shows that this Name is a tower of strength even in connection with temporal deliverance; how much more, then, in connection with the soul’s eternal welfare!
The name sets forth the Person. Christ is Lord. He is Lord to bless us, just as Joseph was Lord over all the land of Egypt. The obligation of the people in regard to Joseph was to bow the knee to him (Gen. 41:4343And he made him to ride in the second chariot which he had; and they cried before him, Bow the knee: and he made him ruler over all the land of Egypt. (Genesis 41:43)). Then when the years of famine came, they could look to Joseph for sustenance.
Christ has been into death, has met every demand of God’s holy throne and accomplished our redemption. God has highly exalted Him, and has conferred untold glories upon Him as Man. In His name is preached the forgiveness of sins, and in Him all that believe are justified from all things. The power of His name is such that all the powers of darkness flee before it, as the following true narrative will show.
In the course of his business a Christian man had occasion to call at the shop of a young woman in Lancashire, whom he knew to be a believer. On this particular morning he found her in great grief. Desiring to help and comfort her, he urged her to tell him the cause of her trouble. For a while she demurred, but after some persuasion related the following.
She had a young woman lodging with her who, it transpired, was a spiritualist. They shared the same bedroom. Her lodger was so under the influence of evil spirits that she got no rest at night. She would suddenly sit up in bed, shriek, tear her hair, and conduct herself like one distracted. Her landlady had repeatedly given her notice to leave, but she would not go; and the young Christian was now on the verge of despair.
Her visitor began by asking her if she had overlooked the fact that the Lord Jesus, Whom she trusted as her Saviour, was also Satan’s Master, whose servant the spiritualist was. What was happening only proved, said he, the kind of master Satan is. He then advised her to read God’s word, some chapter that speaks about the Lord Jesus, and to address the Lord in prayer aloud before going to rest.
He did not see her again for some days. When next he called, the look of distress had given place to one of calm peace. The young woman informed him that she had acted on his advice, and had confessed the name of the Lord in the presence of the spiritualist, with the result that she left her the next day.
Thus, as another has beautifully put it: ―
Disease, and death, and demon
All fled before His word,
As darkness the dominion
Of day’s returning lord.”
Has my reader ever experienced the power of this wonderful Name? There is no name like it. It is unique; for “there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved” (Acts 4:1212Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. (Acts 4:12)). Are you burdened with a load of sin? The name of Jesus (Saviour) tells you that He died for you, and bore the penalty of your guilt. Is it a restless, weary, joyless heart that troubles you? You will find in the glory-crowned Saviour the solution of all your “hard questions”. Turn to Him now. He can fully meet your case, for He never failed anyone who trusted Him.
If you belong to the class of indifferent souls, then let us remind you that this great Name will one day claim your attention and compel submission; for “at the NAME OF JESUS every knee shall bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth, and that every tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Phil. 2:10, 1110That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:10‑11)). W. L―B.