Insightful Musings on the Scriptures

by

Raymond P. Sparre
Northwest University class of '67

Good morning, special ones.

Lots of things to squish into this day. After sending this I think I’ll knock out a little jog…which I’ll probably do alone, except for the dog(s), since Becki is so strapped with the two little grandsons that were dropped off here yesterday afternoon. At least it’s not raining…but very overcast. Following my jog I think I will be fabricating another round of our ongoing tradition—a breakfast fruit salad. Combine that with some whipped cream or home-made yogurt (We buy milk raw and direct from a small dairy), and maybe add some granola, and you have a great entre for starting the day.

May may or may not be our last May. All I know is that things are sure heating up in this wild world…and the big fireworks could be ignited about any time. There has never been a better time for insecure sheep to stay close to the Secure Shepherd.

Blessings on your day. Love, Dad/Ray

Do you remember the behind-the-scenes conversation between God and Satan as presented in the book of Job? Satan is functioning in his role as the “accuser of the brethren” and holds that there is no such thing as a genuine believer who truly loves God and lives to please Him even when the going gets tough. He asserts that all believers are only believers for what’s in it for them personally. When God points out Job as a man of sound faith and integrity, Satan responds, “Have you not put a hedge around him and his household and everything he has? You have blessed the work of his hands, so that his flocks and herds are spread throughout the land, But stretch your hand and strike everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face” (Job 1:10-11). Satan, of course, was wrong in his judgment of Job. But the neat thing to note here is that God didn’t deny the “accusation” that He had a hedge of protection and blessing around Job. PTL! (Praise the Lord!)

Consider again the words of Peter in today’s reading. “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade—kept in heaven for you, who through faith are SHIELDED BY GOD’S POWER until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time” (1 Peter 1:3-5).

Think of it. You are privileged to live within the hedge of God’s protection and blessing. In Him you are as indestructible as the roadrunner though constantly sought by the coyote. (They used to be my favorite cartoons.) As long as you tie into the faith that Peter defines, you are SHIELDED BY GOD’S POWER. It’s another way of saying, “your life is now hidden with Christ in God” (Colossians 3:3). Talk about security! That is definitely cause for rejoicing! So I will! Haleluia!