Insightful Musings on the Scriptures

by

Raymond P. Sparre
Northwest University class of '67

Good morning, dear ones.

The little boys are here again…slated to spend part of the weekend. I hear Thano in the shop with them…building a couple more wooden airplanes for them.

If things go as planned, that van that was supposed to be here yesterday will be delivered here in a few minutes. I’ll create and apply graphics to its three sides.

I hope your day goes well…as you continually deal with you-know-what in order to please you-know-Who.

Love, Dad/Ray.

Who or what is your greatest problem in life?—your most unrelenting enemy? That is a question that MUST be clearly answered in terms compatible with the judgments of the Sovereign Judge and Maker, if success or victory is ever to be realized. History proves that most people never get it figured out—never come up with the right answer. Popular and impulsive answers would likely go something like, taxes, that nation that wants to conquer us, corrupt politicians, old age, my boss, my mother-in-law, my disability, my rebellious kids, and the list could go on and on. Perhaps the most popular answer would be, the devil. You know—“The devil made me do it!” So what’s the right answer? Let’s get this straight before too late! YOUR GREATEST PROBLEM AND MOST UNRELENTING ENEMY IS YOUR OWN DIRTY HEART!—YOUR OWN NATURAL SIN NATURE! Yup!—not even the dirty devil with all his his highly refined evil schemes has any substantial control over one controlled by a HEART AFTER GOD.

Can you imagine a battle scene where those engaged don’t know who the enemy is?—or what the enemy looks like? Can you imagine a basketball game where everyone is wearing the same uniform? Are these not scenes of chaos? This is not to imply that everyone can or will agree with this Biblical answer—but you can. Praise God! YOU CAN BE A WINNER!—A VICTOR! And what do you win? How about PEACE?—personal peace through right relationship with God right there in the middle of unavoidable conflict? “Great peace have they who love your law, and nothing can make them stumble” (119:165)—not even your biggest problem or most unrelenting enemy! That’s it! Don’t you get it? Don’t you want to help your children, grandchildren, and everyone you know to get it?

To help underscore this simple point, let’s raise this question: Amidst all the crime, wrongdoing, hate, evil, and human atrocities, etc., so common in this chaotic world, have you ever known of guilty parties to also be “guilty” of possessing a HEART AFTER GOD?—people who passionately love God and His Word? Go figure.

Consider the FOCUS VERSE. Here’s something else we need to get: Zeal consumes energy. Passion wears us out. That’s life! So, all we need to do is determine what kind of passion we want to wear us out. One way or another, we’re going to be worn out anyway.