Article February 22, 1936 Issue

Our Need Today

MYRTLE POTTER HESS

It is probably true that in no other time in their experience has there been a more urgent need than there is today for students of Christian Science to apply the truth they know to surrounding conditions. Material sense proclaims that there is distress, lack, anxiety, and danger on all sides, nationally and internationally, but the spiritual fact announced in the Bible, "The Lord God omnipotent reigneth," is actually the ever-present and everlasting fact in every situation.

How can the truth contained in this passage of scripture be realized and made practical by us today? We need to remember that the beloved John was an exile on Patmos, having been banished because of his activities in the Christian church and his testimony for Jesus, at the time he heard "the voice of a great multitude" uttering these sacred words, "The Lord God omnipotent reigneth." Surrounding conditions on this isolated, desolate prison island must have been very trying, and to human sense perilous, but he was able in spite of all material testimony to recognize the truth of Jesus' statement, as given in Mark, "The kingdom of God is at hand."

What was the knowledge John possessed that enabled him to rise to such spiritual heights in spite of the untoward surroundings and conditions? He apparently understood Jesus' words to mean that the kingdom of God, good, is always present for everyone to enjoy, and that it can be realized and its blessings appropriated as its presence is spiritually discerned. Jesus said, "Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God." Spiritual discernment beholds God's everpresence, and John possessed great spiritual discernment.

Send a comment to the editors

NEXT IN THIS ISSUE

Article

Spiritual Listening