Insightful Musings on the Scriptures

by

Raymond P. Sparre
Northwest University class of '67

Good morning, special people.

We have another summer-like day in the making. Becki and I did our little jog/walk routine. And the day is already looking to be incredibly full. Log acquisitions, milling, clean up around the mill, sign layouts, and sign fabricating…just some of the stuff on the list.

Be blessed as you lean on “Everlasting Arms.”

Love, Dad/Ray.

There’s a lot of divinely-inspired utterance in this chapter. First is the angel’s announcement to Zechariah, the angel’s announcement to Mary, Elizabeth’s inspired proclamation to Mary, Mary’s inspired “song,” and then Zechariah’s prophetic “song.” Each round of speech is rich in meaning to ponder and explore. I want to select the last sentence of Elizabeth’s response to Mary’s visit, and give it some attention. She said, “Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!” May I suggest that there is a principle here for each of us? Do you see it? Consider it this way: Do you believe what the Lord has said in His Word? Do you believe enough to apply and obey? Do you believe that His Word will be fulfilled, no matter what? If so, you have the privilege of linking with the same incredible blessings presented here!

To help underscore the idea that God does what He says, I want to quote here a poem sent to me recently by a dear friend and mentor, Jim Davis. He titled it, “And He Did.”

When mankind was lost in sin, without God and without hope,
God promised to send a Saviour.
He said He would - - - and He did!

By the prophets of old, God promised to send this Saviour
into the world through a virgin womb. A physical impossibility;
But He said He would - - - and He did!

Though Jesus’ disciples wanted to make Him a king,
He said instead He had to die on a cross
and that He would die for the sins of the whole world.
He said He would - - - and He did!

And even though He died and though they laid His cold,
Lifeless body in the tomb, He promised
that on the third day He would raise again from the dead.
He said He would - - - and He did!

After a time of glad reunion with His disciples, He said it was
necessary for Him to return to the Father.
He said He would - - - and He did!

Before He went away He promised, “If I go away I will come again
and receive you unto myself that where I am there you may be also.”
He said He would - - - - - - - - - !