Insightful Musings on the Scriptures

by

Raymond P. Sparre
Northwest University class of '67

Good morning, dear travelers.

The little boys were delivered about 6:30am. Becki and I are the ones to receive them. Thano is still sleeping. The first thing we did (and normally do) was attempt to set the stage for everything else in the unfolding day. I held Kaden in a cuddle embrace, Becki did the same with Nicholas, and we sat down and sang our morning song—“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases. His mercies never come to an end. They are new every morning—new every morning. Great is Thy faithfulness, O Lord—great is Thy faithfulness.”

It’s still kind of dark out there…so after launching this I’ll most likely write an entry for yesterday in my journal. By then it should be a bit lighter for a jog…amidst a little bit of snow.

Speaking of a journal, I decided to take on this personal discipline in 1976…and have maintained a daily accounting ever since. I’m aware that most people don’t do this kind of thing…and I’m not even sure exactly why I’ve done it…other than to follow the example of those I regarded as commendable missionary role models. While you may not maintain a journal of your daily life, it’s good to be reminded that God does. I have reason to believe He has the ability to call up real-time full-color surround-sound video playback…which could cause judgment day to be very embarrassing in regards to forgotten (or remembered) wrong behavior that has not been confessed and forgiven. I guess I spun off on another tangent. Moving right along…

Have a holly jolly Tuesday…if you can…with the blessing of the Lord.

Love, Dad/Ray

The theme that captivates my attention in this short chapter is not a new one. It’s a theme that surfaces time and time again throughout the pages of scripture. One little word in verse 7 states that theme—“WILL.” It is part of an emphatic unequivocal non-optional promise that God’s plans and purposes WILL be fulfilled. PERIOD! “But in the days when the seventh angel is about to sound his trumpet, the mystery of God will be accomplished, just as he announced to his servants the prophets.” So my puny plans, wishes, complaints, comforts, or disbeliefs are absolutely ineffective to alter that fact. His will, one way or another, WILL be done in earth as it is in heaven! And sincerely praying for that allows us to be aligned that WILL. Misalignment is about as dangerous as anything I can imagine.

It is implied here that more horrendous stuff is coming—beyond what John was allowed to record. It may be beyond what we can imagine. And I think this little piece of instruction John is given (“Seal up what the seven thunders have said and do not write it down.” V.4) gives another angle of support to the idea that GOD’S WORD IS INSPIRED NOT JUST FOR WHAT IT SAYS, BUT FOR WHAT IT DOES NOT SAY.

Allow me to snatch a piece of calming inspiration from my reading today in Proverbs 18, verse 10. “The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.” So while the fulfillment of some of His plans and purposes may indeed be incredibly awful to behold, not to mention, experience, I am safe in Him. PERIOD!