Insightful Musings on the Scripturesby
Ray Sparre, NU class of '67
Ray has a wealth of experience as a Husband, Father, Pastor, Missionary, and student of the Word. He believes and practices his faith where the rubber meets the road. You'll find his writings to be practical, insightful, and grounded in a truly Christ-centered world view.
Below are links to a printable daily Bible reading guide which Ray has followed, and an archive of all his daily devotional writings for 2010 and 2011.
| Sparre Home Page | Daily Reading Guide | 2011 Devotion Archives | 2010 Devotion Archives |
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23 May 11
Greetings, dear special people.
Phooey! I wanted to say, “Good morning!” But now I can’t…since it’s after noon.
I guess I kind of got carried away with this one. It’s longer than I’d like. Perhaps the topic is bigger than I can handle. Anyway, I hope it makes sense.
It’s about time to hit the lunch table. And I’m feeling like it would be good to hit the bed for a few minutes of napping after lunch. The dog, Max, kind of messed my sleep last evening. There must have been some raccoon activity out there…he was yelling most all night. When I finally rose about 2:30am to try to check things out, I couldn’t get back to sleeping…so rose about 3am.
Hope your day is moving along in good shape.
Love, Dad/Ray
23 May 2011
Psalm 21
Focus: “At the time of your appearing you will make them like a fiery furnace. In his wrath the LORD will swallow them up, and his fire will consume them.” Psalm 21:9.
David is obviously the King of Israel when he composes this song. I notice that he modifies his poetic style somewhat by referring to himself in the 3rd person—“O LORD, the king rejoices in your strength. How great is his joy in the victories you give!”(v.1). One feature that impresses me is that lesser men would become quite caught up with themselves and arrogant after gaining such success and acclaim, but here he is worshipping and expressing his thanks and praise—recognizing his total dependence upon the blessing of the LORD.
I’m inclined to believe his HEART AFTER GOD, along with his knowledge of earlier scriptures, offers the best explanation for David being awarded insights and revelations that previously were undisclosed. Listen again to his words in verse 9: “At the time of your appearing you will make them like a fiery furnace. In his wrath the LORD will swallow them up, and his fire will consume them.” How did David know about this “appearing” and the idea of “fire” being used as a medium of God’s judgment and destruction? After all, he was not able to read passages like Peter’s second epistle—“But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare” (2 Peter 3:10).
There is a good deal of talk in the news these days about the failed prediction of 89-year old Harold Camping (I only learned he was that old this morning when I snooped online.), who dogmatically affirmed that the rapture of the Church and the commencement of God’s judgment on the world was to take place two days ago—May 21, 2011. The more I learn about this nut case, the more amazed I am at how he could have mustered such a following among so-called “Bible believers.” We can only presume that, rather than reading and believing the Bible for themselves, these followers allowed this deluded false prophet cult leader to read it and believe it for them—and endorsed his conclusions. I guess that’s nothing very new. I’m reminded of the where the disciples specifically asked Jesus when these colossal and destructive end-time events will take place and how they would recognize the signs of His coming. Jesus did not begin by answering their questions. Instead He begins with what is most important—“Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Christ’” (Matthew 24:1-8)—another parallel line of rhetoric could be, “Listen to me—I have special exclusive inside information from the true Christ.”
While we’re on this note, let me quote more from 2 Peter 3. There’s some good advice for us relative to the fulfillment of end-time prophecies and God’s judgment by fire. “Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt with the heat” (2 Peter 3:11-12).
The last verse of this Psalm is a great benediction and the best attitude I can think of for facing the future: “Be exalted, O LORD, in your strength; we will sing and praise your might” (v. 13). It’s another way of saying, “Thine be the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.”
“I thoroughly believe in a university education for both men and women; but I believe a knowledge of the Bible without a college course is more valuable than
a college course without the Bible.” - William Lyons Phelps