Insightful Musings on theScriptures

by

Raymond P. Sparre
Northwest University class of '67

Good morning, dear ones.

A beautiful one it has been so far—and it’s almost over.

Once again, I’m a day behind. It seems that it’s so easy to get some inspiration flowing in the morning…but then be overtaken by the pressures of the day. Those pressures typically drain what’s left of my energy. So when I return to attempting to finish things up in the evening, my lights just won’t stay on. That happened again last night. Oh well…

These dogs we’re keeping for our son and daughter-in-law are mainly indoor dogs. We’re not accustomed to having dogs inside at night. But they have behaved well. Even here and now, one of them is at my feet under this table.

Have a great day.

Love, Dad/Ray.

Book lovers have their favorite authors. If “Heman the Ezrahite” is the author of Psalm 88, he’s sure not one of my favorite authors. He has to be depressed. Except for this verse 13, I judge that this psalm is about as inspiring as reading the phone book—actually, less inspiring. If you are already feeling some temptations in the direction of depression, it’s probably a good idea to skip over Psalm 88. And if you’re not depressed before reading Psalm 88, you might be after reading it. I confess to being a little puzzled at how such pieces of literature were admitted into the canon of Holy Scripture.

Since I’ve brought up the matter of depression, perhaps I’ll talk more about it. I think it’s a universal enemy afflicting humanity within this fallen world—empowered and driven NOT by the Kingdom of God. Let me raise this question: Is there any legitimate reason for a serious Bible believer with a sound mind to come down with a serious case of depression? I’m inclined to answer, “No, there isn’t.” The way I’m processing the matter at present, I’m seeing depression as equal with disobedience. Yes—allowance must be made for some out-of-control chemical or hormonal imbalances—or side effects from some medications—or some form of brain injury. But I don’t see any excuse for it otherwise. “Oh, but you just don’t know what it feels like to be going through what I’ve been going through!” OK, I don’t, exactly, but, sorry, I have to judge that you are not doing what you’re supposed to do with Biblical truth. “So—what is that?” Well, for one, you’re supposed to believe it. For two, you’re supposed to apply it—like, obey it. I draw lots of evidence from the Word that God wants us to live by the standard of what we know and believe (objective)—not by the standard of what we feel (subjective).

We could compile a huge volume of Scripture to support this approach. Let’s at least take time to consider again Paul’s testimony when he says, “For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does (They live by feelings). The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world (the Sword of the Spirit—the living and powerful Word of God). On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds (like depression). We demolish arguments and every pretension (wrong idea) that sets itself up against (in conflict with) the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought (including every feeling) to make it obedient to Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:3-5).

I agree with the perspective that says, “Putting on the FULL ARMOR OF GOD (Ephesians 6) makes one a guaranteed victor. Failure to do so makes one a guaranteed casualty.”