Insightful Musings on the Scriptures

by

Raymond P. Sparre
Northwest University class of '67

Greetings in the morning, dear ones.

It’s already been a busy morning. Becki and I were able to get in a walk/jog with a little Oregon drizzle upon us.

I need to get on with the day. It looks like a big one. May you be blessed as you get on with yours.

Love, Dad/Ray.

A bumper sticker I saw recently said, “I AM NOT IN YOUR HURRY”—as the driver simply drove the speed limit. That, along with the processing of these three chapters, reminds me of an over-arching Biblical principle—GOD IS NOT IN A HURRY. We’re the ones prone to hurry—after all, we have a beginning and an end and only a relatively small window of time and opportunity to get stuff done. Not so the Sovereign Lord. And why should He be?—after all, He has no beginning or end—He transcends time.

Another over-arching principle comes to mind as I review this little piece of history—“AIN’T NOTHIN’ EASY.” That is, things worth doing are seldom smooth and easy—including tasks that He assigns. There will be high points of rejoicing and celebration surrounding revivals, victories, and progress. But in between those points are a lot of hard work, diligence, hassle with opposition, and temptations to forget that GOD IS NOT IN A HURRY.

In regards to the time involved for rebuilding the temple at Jerusalem, consider the fact that the short FOCUS VERSE above represents about 18 years—18 long years of no work, no movement, no progress, and lots of discouragement. Notice the cause of the delay—the deceitful and divisive work of disgruntled and jealous opponents of practically everything God wants to do—who may claim to serve God and want to help—but they really only serve themselves and want to block and destroy. These enemies are happy to use whatever clever means available and mix their efforts with lies and slander to achieve their devious objectives. A long legal battle ensued. The whole project that was authorized by King Cyrus was brought to a halt by his successors—Xerxes, then Artaxerxes. Tune in again tomorrow to hear how the project was restored.

Lesson: Relax!—and “Count yourself—you’re not so many!” If you and I will simply keep it simple by simply doing what we’re supposed to do and what we can do, He, in His time, and in His way, will do what we can’t.

Consider this: Although there will always be undercover agents of opposition to infiltrate and discourage the work of God, He will always have His undercover agents of influence too—like Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego who, although captives, simply resolved to maintain HEARTS AFTER GOD. As a by-product of that priority they were used to influence kings and administrations and nations and the very course of history.