Insightful Musings on theScriptures
by
Raymond P. Sparre
Northwest University class of '67
Good evening, dear ones.
Just a little while ago it was morning. Now it’s night. It went so fast. I guess it’s evidence of having fun. At least I knocked out a few things—including a little bunch of 2x6x16 lumber that were not on my list. That was called in this morning by a guy overseeing a remodel project with a tight time line. For him it was urgent. I guess I helped by getting in his hurry. It required finishing up a big log at the other mill site, folding up the mill, and hauling it home. For a while I wondered if I was going to get back home as that guy’s driveway is so steep, and the loose gravel allowed such poor traction, I just couldn’t climb out while pulling that 4500-pound mill—even in 4-wheel drive. I finally made it after letting a lot of air out of the tires. Whew!
Hey—I remember seeing some bread rising in the kitchen. I’m sure it’s out by now. Would I be violating anything to have a slice of fresh-out-of-the-oven bread before bed? We have some farm-fresh butter…and some farm-fresh honey. Sounds like a farm-fresh idea.
Good night. Sleep well.
Love, Dad/Ray.
I’m choosing to narrow my focus to processing one basic question: WHY ARE THOSE THOUSANDS UPON THOUSANDS OF ANGELS SO JOYFUL?
I’ve never been an angel before. I’ve never met or talked to an angel—not that I know of anyway. All I can do is draw some insights from the Word, use my imagination, and speculate. I am inclined to conclude that the angels are united in joyful service to God mainly because they are equipped with supernatural abilities to see the bigger picture and are excited about their being on the winning side of the cosmic conflict—perhaps totally overwhelmed at the goodness, grace, and creative wisdom of their Sovereign Lord.
I believe that the Bible, God’s Word, is evidence of His supernatural effort to equip seeking humans to see the big picture too—at least in adequate measure—allowing us to also be joyful in the gracious opportunity afforded us to participate on the winning side. Please take advantage of this big-picture provision and don’t allow yourself to get so narrow-minded and tripped up by all the trivial and temporal stuff of this world that you neglect to follow the angel’s lead, to join not only with the angels, but with those thousands upon thousands of saints as described in Revelation 19:6-7 who shout, “Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns! Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come and his bride has made herself ready.” And who’s the bride? The verse following the FOCUS verse answers that question—“The church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven” (v. 23). It’s the collective body of all individuals (like you and me) who have “fallen in love” with their Maker—who have nurtured A HEART AFTER GOD.