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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10 July 11
Hello, in the beautiful afternoon, dear ones.
We’ve done a pretty full Sunday routine. Now we’re planning to leave to attend another meeting where some missionary friends of ours will be featured.
Blessings on the rest of your day.
Love, Dad/Ray
10 July 2011
Psalms 69
Focus: “I am a stranger to my brothers, an alien to my own mother’s sons; for zeal for your house consumes me, and the insults of those who insult you fall on me.” Psalm 69:8-9.
I run the risk of being boringly repetitious. But my perspective ascribes such a high level of importance to this recurring thesis that I’m willing to take that risk and say it again: THERE IS NOTHING MORE IMPORTANT FOR ME TO HAVE AND DEVELOP THAN A HEART AFTER GOD. I’ve also had occasion to stress the importance of passion when it comes to faith, because I’ve become convinced that faith without passion just doesn’t work right. If you are able to resonate with these ideas, you need to also resonate with this one: A PASSIONATE HEART AFTER GOD HAS ALWAYS COME WITH A SOCIAL PRICE TAG. Not everyone (perhaps very few) will appreciate, understand, and support that orientation. Biblical history and practical experience proves it.
This psalm describes some of that SOCIAL PRICE TAG. Listen to some of David’s lament. “I am worn out calling for help; my throat is parched…Those who hate me without reason outnumber the hairs of my head (If that’s a standard for measurement, I don’t have to count as much.); many are my enemies without cause…For I endure scorn for your sake, and shame covers my face. I am a stranger to my brothers, an alien to my own mother’s sons; for zeal (passion) for your house consumes me…When I weep and fast, I must endure scorn; when I put on sackcloth, people make sport of me. Those who sit at the gate mock me, and I am the song of the drunkards” (vv. 3, 4, 7-10, 12).
If you process this psalm like I am, you will easily notice the Messianic parallel. Take, for example, David’s mention of being rejected by His own brothers. The New Testament records that Jesus too was rejected by his brothers during the course of His ministry. But thankfully that wasn’t the end of the matter, and at least Jesus’ brother James came to a point of recognition of Jesus’ deity and Lordship. Let’s review James’ affirmation and challenge in James 4:4-10. His passion and perspective lays it on the table in no uncertain terms. “You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God. Or do you think Scripture says without reason that the spirit he caused to live in us envies intensely? But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.’ Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.”
All I need to do is agree that being lifted up and blessed by the One Who really matters is definitely worth the SOCIAL PRICE TAG.
“No person was ever honored for what he received. Honor has been the reward for what he gave.” - Calvin Coolidge