Insightful Musings on the Scriptures

by

Raymond P. Sparre
Northwest University class of '67

Hello, dear ones, on still another beautiful morning.

I failed to mention yesterday morning that I finally did some math—calculations that match how many days there are left in the year with how many chapters we have left in the Old Testament. I didn’t take time to examine what I did wrong to be so far off. If we carry on from here at the rate of just one chapter per day, we will still end 19 days before the end of the year—if I figured right. Maybe some day I can learn how to organize and plan.

Lots more on the list. More has been added even this morning. And a phone call received yesterday evening announces that my brother and wife, Louis and Ilene, will be rolling in some time today from Washington. Fun.

Be blessed today.

Love, Dad/Ray.

What do you suppose it feels like to be a true prophet?—where you become so heated up and super-charged with the truth of God in the face of popular rebellion and indifference that you have to speak out—no matter what? This speaking out may seem like an explosion to the hearers, but for you it’s simply an attempt to prevent yourself from exploding. The speaking out actually serves as a pressure relief valve—a vent for your own internal pressure—knowing full well that you will most likely be misrepresented, misunderstood, and rejected. It’s definitely not an easy calling.

Some discomfort is arising within me as I reflect on those times I’ve been in church services where the expressions of the FOCUS VERSE are laced into a hand-clapping foot-tapping body-bouncing song. My discomfort was not much eased this morning as I “Googled” the song and found it all over the place—including some powerful preaching on the text from an archived video of Jimmy Swaggart when he was younger. There was a long list of lyrics and spectacular U-Tube video performances of the song with stunning professionalism—ranging from Integrity’s Hosanna Music, to Signature Sound, and the Gaither Vocal Band. It’s definitely moving. I like good preaching and music too. I’m easily moved by it. So what’s with my discomfort? I guess it flows out of this over-arching question: WHAT DO THESE WORDS FROM JOEL REALLY MEAN? Do those I just witnessed who are preaching it and singing it really understand what they’re preaching and singing about? I’m worried. And do they “tremble” as they deliver?

Question: Am I missing something? As I process the passage, I just can’t avoid drawing a parallel between Joel’s general challenge and the one given by Jesus when He declares, “I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish” (Luke 13:3, 5). He was speaking to the current “religious” establishment. Let me put what I think are the main ideas presented by Joel in my own words: “Don’t you dare think you can, by any means, escape the omniscience and omnipotence of the Holy Sovereign God! So blow the trumpet of warning in your own dirty heart!—which He has designed and intended to be like a city and temple where He reigns and is worshipped! The purpose of your very existence is not about you! It’s about Him! Make no mistake about it—He will hold you accountable against that absolute standard! Therefore, do everything you can to repent of your arrogance, duplicity, and complacency! His army of judgment and correction will rush on your city and climb on your walls! He will penetrate anything you can build that gives you the illusion of security in yourself. There is no avoiding or hiding! Get ready!—on His terms! Don’t delay! Time is running out!”

The message of Joel in this first chapter is not just wall-to-wall bashing. He is also inspired to offer solution. And what is called for collectively is worthy advice for us personally when violations of this relationship occur: “Declare a holy fast; call a sacred assembly…and cry out to the LORD” (1:14). Indeed, a HEART AFTER GOD that continually cries “out to the LORD” is the best policy when on the mountain of “success,” or in the valley of suffering. I think it’s relevant to say this: I choose to maintain a heart after my wife whether we’re having a great time together or whether we’re not.