Insightful Musings on the Scriptures

by

Raymond P. Sparre
Northwest University class of '67

Good beautiful morning, dear people.

I’m still perspiring after our walk/jog on our own place.

We are now down to 8 kittens from the litter of 11. 3 didn’t make it. Last night was the first time I’ve let them stay outside. They had a shed there nearby in and under which they could find protection. I was a little concerned when I only found 5 of them this morning. But then, about the time we commenced our walk/jog, the other 3 came out from under our front deck. It was a happy reunion. Someone is coming today to take 2, and someone else came yesterday to speak for one.

Oh my!—just had a call for doing some more fairly large sign projects—carving in black walnut—along with framing and installation—three separate compositions. I said, “Sure, I can do that.” But now I wonder how am I going to do that along with the pile of work I already have. I often tell people that it is highly unlikely that I’ll die from boredom.

Blessings on your day.

Love, Dad/Ray.

Both verses 14 and 16 contain “LET US” (not “lettuce”). They are calls to important action. I’ll quote those verses here and highlight selected key words.

“Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, LET US hold firmly to the faith we profess…LET US then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”

I see a noteworthy similarity between those phrases “hold firmly” and “our time of need.” In order to draw your attention to what I mean, let me raise two questions: HOW OFTEN DO I NEED TO HOLD FIRMLY TO THE FAITH I PROFESS? AND HOW OFTEN IS MY TIME OF NEED? Of course, the answer to both questions is ALWAYS—ALL THE TIME—CONSTANTLY—24/7. There’s the similarity. This counters the dangerous notion that I can get away with being safe and sound in my faith on a part-time basis—that I am OK forever because I “received Christ” at a children’s Bible Club when I was 12—or that my time of need is only occasional, as when I face some unexpected crisis. Oh, I know that “the arm of flesh will fail you…you dare not trust your own.” And, yes, “we are weak, but He is strong.” But the underlying key to victory is to “be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power” (Ephesians 6:10). If I understand anything about the principles of life and the realities of spiritual warfare, I suggest that we be positively engaged not some of the time, but all of the time. The enemy of our souls never rests or goes on holidays. Jesus made it clear that “without me you can do nothing” (John 15:5). Please agree that Colossians 1:27 is an all-the-time principle—“Christ in you (constantly), the hope of glory.” I think that’s why Paul exhorts us to “Pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17).

Let’s conclude by singing the chorus to I NEED THEE EVERY HOUR—and it’s not just every hour on the hour, but every second contained in all those hours: