Insightful Musings on the Scriptures

by

Raymond P. Sparre
Northwest University class of '67

Greetings, dear ones.

It’s obviously a bit above freezing now. Things are thawing out. Foggy, overcast, still, and not really raining here at present. I know—you don’t really need a weather report from me. Fact is, you don’t really need anything from me. All you really need is _____________________. You fill in the blank. When it comes right down to it, everyone must make their own determination concerning their priority need.

I failed to give a reminder yesterday that today is the projected deadline for letting me know if you wish to remain on this recipient list. Please don’t be afraid to not respond…and thus be removed. I am quite aware that even reading my brain rattlings can be time-consuming. Everyone has to determine how they will best consume their time.

It could be appropriate for me to clarify my motives for maintaining this devotional writing routine. I’ll stick my comments on as an attachment above. (It took longer than expected to compose it along with other interruptions…it’s now 9:48am.)

Anyway…if you wish to remain on the list, and haven’t yet let me know since the beginning of the year, please do so today.

Have a blessed today. Love, Dad/Ray.

I cannot even imagine a more riveting story of suspense and intrigue than this one surrounding Joseph—his amazing sojourn through horrible difficulties to become a virtual savior of the known world. It demonstrates the sovereign ability of the Sovereign God to achieve His Sovereign Will one way or another—no matter what! Notice that in the course of fulfilling His irresistible Will, two kinds of people are used—both proponents and opponents. I don’t have to think very long and hard to decide on which side of the line I choose to live.

At the risk of being overly repetitious, I want to ask this: What was the main quality in Joseph that allowed him to endure such trials and opposition and yet rise to be so effectively used of God? Was it not his HEART AFTER GOD? Don’t let this simple fact get by you. Absolutely nothing about you is more important than that!

Something in the story bothers me. Even though those brothers experienced guilt and acknowledged their sin against Joseph and their father, I can’t find any clear evidence that they ever made a full confession. They always seemed to skirt that part. Did their father ever find out the facts? Did he ever learn how and why he was presented with Joseph’s torn and blood-stained coat—leading him to believe a lie all these years? Did those brothers ever move ahead in their personal lives to embrace a HEART AFTER GOD? Whatever the case may be, let’s understand that a true HEART AFTER GOD is no accident. It is very deliberate. And, among other things, it will include heart-level confession—a commitment to do what is reasonably possible to make full confession toward gaining forgiveness—understanding that the circle of confession must include the circle of offense.