Insightful Musings on the Scriptures

by

Raymond P. Sparre
Northwest University class of '67

Good afternoon, dear ones.

The morning got away from me and I’ve been prevented till now to get this off. Becki and I were able to knock out a jog earlier. But then I had to rush off to a car service appointment at 9am in town.

The weather seems to be calming down, so I may be able to get in some sawmill work without too much difficulty.

May the rest of your day play out to be a good one.

Love, Dad/Ray

Consider this general question: Whose presence are your children growing up in? One may respond, “Well, they’re growing up in the presence of their parents, brothers and sisters, relatives, neighbors, classmates, etc.” While these relationships are normal and unavoidable, godly parents will understand those relationships are not adequate in themselves—they offer no assurance of a proper training in wisdom and godliness. Discerning parents understand that every developing human life desperately needs Bible training “in the presence of the LORD” so they can be prepared for a personal revelation from the LORD that leads to a personal relationship with the LORD. Here’s another question: How can children grow up “in the presence of the LORD” if parents (guardians) do not emit and model that presence? Remember Colossians 1:27? “Christ in you (That sure sounds like “the presence of the LORD.”), the hope of glory.” Perhaps the principle could be amplified to say, “A personal relationship with God not only benefits you with a glorious hope, but also serves as a means to passing that same hope and destiny on to your children.”

I would guess that Samuel was around 9 to 12 years old at the point of this description—“Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD: The word of the LORD had not yet been revealed to him” (3:7). The strong implication is that one needs to arrive at a personal activation of heart and mind by the Holy Spirit in order to personally see and know the things of God—connecting the vital dots within all that training “in the presence of the LORD.” Without this essential revelation, we can expect only a bunch of RELIGION without REALITY (relationship) as was the case with Eli’s sons, Hophni and Phinehas.

How am I doing with this account? Are you bored yet? I would guess you’re not. After all, we are touching on one of the deepest and strongest arenas of human attraction and longing known to mankind. And it sure wasn’t made by our culture, government, or those who participate in it. Not only did the Sovereign Creator design and craft it, He has clearly set standards and boundaries for its use—and clearly wants to bless it. Prioritize a HEART AFTER GOD and be blessed.

Eli too had a HEART AFTER GOD. But his example also imparts a warning: While there is absolutely no substitute for a HEART AFTER GOD, it does not necessarily guarantee squeaky-clean infallibility. We’re still clothed in flesh, and flesh is still dangerous.