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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18 June 11
Good morning, dear people.
On this date in 1972, it was Sunday, and it was Father’s Day—a Father’s Day like none I had ever known before—I’ll never forget the emotion and overwhelming awe—I became a father—and baby Jill entered our lives—and the world—and neither have been the same since. Happy birthday, Jill! You are loved. You are special.
It’s kind of gloomy outside right now…in contrast with yesterday that presented perfect weather conditions. I guess I’ll do a jog, then start hammering away on my TO DO list.
Don’t stop pedaling your faith bike. You can’t coast too far before falling down.
Blessings on your day. Love, Dad/Ray.
18 June 2011
Psalm 47
Focus: “He subdued nations under us, peoples under our feet. He chose our inheritance for us, the pride of Jacob, whom he loved.” Psalm 47:3-4.
There’s a lot of wonderful praise in this psalm by “The Sons of Korah,” but at the same time I’m afflicted with a measure of discomfort as I read between the lines so as to expose an implicit warning. Consider the expression I’ve cited above. The authors are, of course, Jews. And as they reflect and review all the wonderful things God has done through and for this special people group, I sense the possibility of some dangerous arrogance sneaking in—“We are better than they are—God loves Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and their descendents more than anyone else—look how He did so many supernatural wonders in Israel’s behalf and brought other nations under the rule and reign of our super-duper superiority!” The historical context places this psalm in the middle of the highest point ever reached in the Nation of Israel—during the reign of David. So it is understandable that the authors could be rather intoxicated with their current national success—they were on a roll. No one can legitimately deny the fact of God’s doing marvelous exploits to deliver and establish Israel as a nation. But if you take in the whole of Biblical revelation, you also know the rest of the story.
So what’s the implicit warning? Simply this—I believe there is inherent danger in being the recipient of miracles and supernatural deliverances that are clearly administered by God. How so? It is very easy for me to misinterpret divine motivation behind such gifts and presume more than is called for—believing that such a special gift is evidence of God’s endorsement or stamp of approval of ME along with everything else in my life. Whereas others do not experience this kind of divine attention, I must be superior and better. And since I have achieved this level of excellence, I can now relax and not vest so much effort at seeking first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness.
Let me direct your attention to some New Testament support for this warning. “These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the fulfillment of the ages has come. So if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!” (1 Corinthians 10:11-12).
While you praise and worship, please be aware of your own dirty little heart that constantly needs cleansing “by the washing with water through the word” (Ephesians 5:26).
“Show me a thoroughly satisfied man and I will show you a failure.” - Thomas A. Edison