Insightful Musings on the Scriptures

by

Raymond P. Sparre
Northwest University class of '67

Greetings, dear ones.

It’s been a full day. I’m only now getting to the task of wrapping up this little production and sending it off. I’m leaving it the way it is with a little frustration—having a good deal more I wanted to say, but can’t justify all the space it would consume.

Have a good night…prepared to launch a good new week.

Love. Dad/Ray.

David is to be commended for his heart-level attitude of worship—his creative expressions of song and praise to the Lord. Chapter 22 begins with this introduction: “David sang to the LORD the words of this song when the LORD delivered him from the hand of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul.” The song demonstrates that David has no trouble recognizing that the Lord has protected him, empowered him, delivered him, and blessed him. But why? That’s the big question. I’m not sure David got the answer exactly right. Without any doubt, he knows that the Lord has helped him as a warrior to perform feats of gymnastics and strength that amaze even himself. David knows that there is no other explanation for his being alive than by means of the intervention of his Sovereign God. As I think back and reflect on certain episodes of my own adventure, I have to say again with similar recognition, “It’s not my fault I’m still here!”

While giving this commendation to David, I need to also mention some ideas in his song that make me nervous. For example, consider the FOCUS VERSE above. Do those lines prompt any cause for concern? What about the first sentence? “I have been blameless before him and have kept myself from sin.” If he is saying that “I have done my best to exercise self-discipline and have resisted temptations to do what I know displeases Him,” that’s acceptable. But if he is saying with any measure of arrogance, “I am so holy that I have made myself exempt from sin,” we have here a prelude to a fall. Look again at the second sentence—“The LORD has rewarded me according to my righteousness, according to my cleanness in his sight.” A potentially dangerous notion could be implied here—that God only gives special attention and blessing to those who are squeaky-clean and righteous—He only appoints someone as king who is perfect. It would be appropriate to say, “Hey, David—be careful. God appointed Saul too.”

However we peel this onion, Isaiah’s inspired commentary regarding MY righteousness is worth remembering—“But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags” (Isaiah 64:6). That, of course, is a description of value in relation to His absolute holiness—which none of us can attain in and of ourselves. Anyone who thinks they can will never ever come to embrace Jesus Christ as their personal Savior—they simply have no need for a savior.

David’s own son, Solomon, articulated a statement of wisdom and truth—even though neither one of them were able to flawlessly comply—“Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall” (Proverbs 16:18).