Insightful Musings on the Scriptures

by

Raymond P. Sparre
Northwest University class of '67

Hello, dear ones.

Beautiful morning. Becki and I did our walk/jog routine. I hear Thano running a chainsaw. Bimbo is out near him. We have him fitted with a training shock collar at present—Bimbo that is, not Thano. Hey, that might not be a…oh never mind.

My first presentation to Becki was the first two paragraphs of this composition. As usual, she read it aloud. It left us both hanging. But then she exclaimed, “But Jesus is alive! Haleluia!” Lights came on. Easter. We both cried. I was crying so much back at the computer I had trouble typing out the last paragraph. Becki read the whole in the presence of Thano. We cried again. What’s going on? If my own attempt at writing causes me to cry, do you think I need some psycho attention?

Please have a blessed and meaningful Easter celebration.

Love. Dad/Ray.

When will it end? All this war and fighting, bloodshed and destruction, hatred and anger, conquering and plundering, victories and losses, celebration and mourning—it just keeps going, on and on through the Biblical account. It occurs to me that it continues right up to today. It also occurs to me that IT WILL NEVER END as long as man’s unregenerate NATURAL SIN NATURE is in predominant command. The conflict carries on right up through the last book of the Bible. So how am I supposed to respond to those stupid bumper stickers that say, “Peace,” or “Coexist?”—especially when the “Peace Symbol” is represented by an upside-down broken cross?!—a symbol of man’s rebellion against God. Should I now be labeled as a negative pessimist? I think I would prefer to be called a “pessimistic optimist”—I’m pessimistic about any hope of things getting better, but optimistic in knowing where this is going, and knowing WHO is ultimately in charge.

As I reflect on these realities, I can’t seem to escape an amusing discrepancy. I think it flows out of our familiarity with these stories of Biblical conflict and warfare. I’ve heard them presented as Sunday School lessons and sermon illustrations for as long as I can remember. We typically conclude without any question or hesitation that the Israelis are the good guys and those who rise up to attack them or even defend themselves are the bad guys. The discrepancy I see is reflected in the FOCUS VERSE. That is, David and his men in this case are understandably smitten with mourning and sorrow—“bitter in spirit” due to the loss of their families at the hands of the Amalakite raiders. But it doesn’t ever seem to occur to anyone to question the morality of it all—and that the other side of the conflict is suffering with the same pain and loss. As a New Testament believer, how is it possible for me to process this reality and not care?—with no compassion?

How can we avoid returning to Bible basics?!?—that man is basically a desperate SINNER in desperate need of a SAVIOR—desperately trying to live at peace and be happy in a FALLEN WORLD. Sorry folks—it’s not going to happen!—not nationally or internationally! But wait! There is an upright cross! And the One Who died there as the atoning “Lamb of God” offers to put your personal upside-down world right side-up—addressing the entire scope of our need. And because He lives, I can face tomorrow! HALELUIAH! HE’S ALIVE!

“But ______ found strength in the LORD his God.” Please write your own name in that blank.