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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3 July 11
Good morning, dear people.
We clocked 748 miles in the two days previous. There was no difficulty driving that rental truck up to Leavenworth, Washington on Friday. I was constantly being overwhelmed with the scenic beauty that we met along the way. I might even regard those windmill generators as beautiful…if I knew they were viable. But they are not.
We made impulsive contact with long-term missionary friends in Coulee City…Frank and Carla Beardsley. After delivering the truck to Leavenworth, we did a jog over to visit them and spend the night. Great time. Lots of reminiscing. Then yesterday on our way home we stopped for a short visit with some family in Ephrata. The trip granted a welcome diversion from the treadmill of demanding work.
Lots on for today too. Blessings on your day.
Love, Dad/Ray.
3 July 2011
Psalm 62
Focus: “One thing God has spoken, two things have I heard; that you, O God, are strong, and that you, O Lord, are loving. Surely you will reward each person according to what he has done.” Psalm 62:11-12.
Let’s review the “OMNIs” of a fundamental Bible theology. OMNIpotent—the God of the Bible is all-powerful, can do anything, He transcends physicality. OMNIpresent—the God of the Bible is everywhere present—He sees and monitors it all at all times in all places. OMNIscient—the God of the Bible knows all—past, present, and future. David recognizes that added to all this greatness is the fact that the God of the Bible is also LOVING—He is benevolent (compassionate, kind, forgiving, not willing that any should perish) to His human creatures. That makes the God of the Bible absolutely set apart from all other concepts of deity—He is wonderful beyond human comprehension.
“Surely you will reward each person according to what he has done.” How do we apply that? I think the best way to understand this statement is to link it with the presentation of these above-mentioned theological truths. That is, the Sovereign Lord “will reward each person according to what he has done” in relation and response to these truths—not just because he is some independent “nice guy.” (The Gospel of John, if read carefully, convinces me of the validity of the thesis that says, “JESUS DID NOT COME TO MAKE BAD PEOPLE GOOD, BUT TO MAKE DEAD PEOPLE LIVE.” Read it again and see if you agree.)
With that understanding, is there any wonder why David would exclaim in the first two verses, “My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken?” That’s a great testimony of active faith and experience addressing anyone who will listen. David repeats those lines in verses 5 and 6, but now addresses his own soul in the form of a command: “Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation.” Perhaps David knows all too well how wayward his own soul can be. Both expressions are valid and important to a healthy and successful faith.
“Salvation changes our heritage from a living death to a deathless life.”