Insightful Musings on theScriptures
by
Raymond P. Sparre
Northwest University class of '67
Greetings, dear ones.
Arriving home last night at the end of our trip from Southern Oregon was a relief—having driven on some icy roadways under freezing rain. But it was a good trip, and a great weekend. I notice that Elvin has already posted a little video clip of the song we sang together at his little church in Shady Cove. Here’s a link—if anyone wants to have a look at a couple old guys calling up a song from when they were young guys, click Elvin & Ray Youtube video. Wow—this is highly unusual—two YOUTUBE links with one posting.
I had thought to carry on with my little construction project in SE Portland, but I think it will have to wait, since roads are still in the nasty class in some places. The forecast looks like Wednesday will be my next best option.
Blessings on your day.
Love, Dad/Ray.
These two readings have caused a kind of melancholy cloud to descend upon me—not because their content is void of positive and encouraging guidance and truth—but because I’m so painfully aware of how few there are who really and truly accept these principles of encouragement and truth, embracing them early in life so as to reap the full benefits of their fruit. I observe this cause-and-affect reality played out in real-life cases all around me—some in my own family—and, with prickly honesty, in my own life. For an example of this kind of sad truth, here is a link to a youtube video of Roy Clark singing “Yesterday” (or, “When I was Young”). I think both Solomon, and his daddy David, would give Roy Clark a standing ovation if they could access this performance. (Hmm—maybe they can.)
Chapter 4 should be virtually memorized by every Christian young person. It opens with this wise father figure charging his sons. Let me attempt to put this introductory charge into my own words: “Listen to my advice! Why? Because as an old guy I now understand more clearly than ever how critically important it was for me to listen to my own daddy when he said, ‘Listen to my advice!’” This cycle is appropriately ongoing.
As I pay close attention to the flow and context of the FOCUS VERSES, I am inclined to clarify the meaning of some words. Let me spin verse 18 this way: “The path of the righteous—those who decide during the early morning of their sojourn to seek the light of God’s wisdom and righteousness—faithfully walking in the relatively low light they are given, yet finding guidance, purpose, and blessing in that light—even as He is in that light—will discover more and more light along that course—all the way to the full light of God’s eternal Day.” In support of this spin, consider 2 Corinthians 3:18: “And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.” Consider also 1 John 1:7: “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.”
Here’s a complimentary nugget of advice from Psalm 4: “Offer right sacrifices and trust in the Lord” (v. 5). The practical personal value of that advice is elevated big time if interpreted along with the New Testament advice of Romans 12:1: “Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God — this is your spiritual act of worship.” Is there any sacrifice to present any more right and urgent than this one? Please say, NO!