Insightful Musings on the Scriptures

by

Raymond P. Sparre
Northwest University class of '67

Good morning, dear ones.

Strange weather across the nation. Yesterday morning we had snow falling. This morning it’s about 50 degrees. I called a sawmill tech support guy in Indianapolis who said they were expecting temperatures to hit 85 today. That's wild!

The list before me is getting wild too. And it’s not all easy fun and games. Lord, help us! On the other hand, I judge that we enter more trouble than we know the moment we reckon that we don’t need His help. May you seek and sense His help today.

Love, Dad/Ray

These words are part of Paul’s testimony before the hostile crowd after he was rescued by the Roman soldiers from the riot at the temple in Jerusalem. I think you would agree that it would have been pretty dumb for Paul to try to launch into a theological presentation of his faith and doctrine in this particular situation. Instead, he wisely chose the approach of personal testimony. It is easy for someone to argue with an opinion or a statement of doctrine. It’s much more difficult to argue with a personal testimony of one who is simply stating what he has seen, heard, and experienced. Paul’s testimony here did not really resolve the issue that riled the mob, but at least they listened for 18 verses. That’s a lot longer than they would have listened otherwise. And who knows how much provacative reflection took place when individuals in that mob lay on their beds that night?

In Paul’s testimony, he quotes the words of Ananias who came to him at Damascus to pray for him and advise him following his dramatic revelation from the Lord. Ananias said, “The God of our fathers has chosen you to know his will and to see the Righteous One and to hear words from his mouth. You will be his witness to all men of what you have seen and heard” (Acts 22:14-15).

You are not likely to have the same kind of dramatic conversion experience as Paul, but make no mistake about it—these inspired words from Ananias apply to you about as well as they do to Paul. Be reminded that it is the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob that has also chosen you. He loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life. Be reminded that this great God wants you to know His basic will and plan for your life. Be assured that He desires you to focus on Jesus, the Righteous One. He is your only hope of glory. He wants you to serve as a witness of His grace. It all adds up to the fact that you are important to Him.