Insightful Musings on the Scriptures

by

Raymond P. Sparre
Northwest University class of '67

Good morning, dear ones.

The weather is still nice. I’m trying to take advantage of it. Lots left to do before the rain falls. On the other hand, there are areas around us where they are wishing it would rain immediately…to help curb the forest fires.

I think it’s about time to review and rebuild my recipient list. I have no interest in pumping these devotional compositions out to disinterest or overloaded INBOXES. I think we are all aware of the deluge of cyber stuff that targets our attention. I’ll try to fashion a simple little response form to handle that.

Little Nicholas is here in the studio now...with Becki…all bummed out because he didn’t get to go with his daddy in the truck like Kaden did. We’ve distracted him with other stuff for the time being. Whew! Didn’t last long.

Blessings on your day.

Love, Dad/Ray.

This is an exhausting passage! There is so much inspiration packed into this little reading that I can hardly stand it—I don’t know where to begin! But I have to begin somewhere—so let’s begin with “the secret.”

Is “the secret” Paul mentions really a secret?—something that is known only to him? I don’t think so. In fact, if I am understanding accurately his meaning, what Paul calls “the secret” is totally proclaimed throughout Biblical revelation. It is the FACT of God’s transcendence, sovereignty, and goodness. And “the secret” that he says he has learned (notice that it is learned—not automatic) is quite simply BELIEVING IN THAT FACT—MAKING THAT BELIEF PRIVATE AND PERSONAL—AND ALLOWING THAT BELIEF TO RENDER ITS LOGICAL EFFECT—CONTENTMENT AND PEACE. And the reason he calls it “the secret” is because this fundamental and absolute belief seems to elude so many people, including “believers,” that it is never adequately incorporated into the real fabric of their personal, private, and practical daily living—and becomes like a missing ingredient or an unknown secret. The natural consequence of not applying this secret is that a person will become anxious about almost everything. But Paul instructs us, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7).

I’m sure you have you noticed that peace is better than anxiety—that contentment is better than discontent. Right? For sure, you don’t want to allow this secret to get by you. Its value is just too big! And don’t forget what David learned: “He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty” (Psalm 91:1, KJV).