Insightful Musings on theScriptures

by

Raymond P. Sparre
Northwest University class of '67

Good morning, special people.

Once again I have this notebook computer sitting on our round dining table next to the heat of the wood stove. But I guess I kind of like being next to the warmth of Becki too—sharing even impulsive ideas relative to mutually important matters—matters like Thano—seeking help from the Lord on how to help Thano maintain a godly course of stability and productivity within the boundaries of his brain injury. It’s an ongoing challenge.

Here we go on another episode of adventure. Since none of us has ever been exactly here before, how can it not be that?—an unfolding adventure.

May your adventure be blessed.

Love, Dad/Ray.

I sure wish I could email or text David and get some clarification on the context that contributed to inspiring this psalm. As I read between the lines with my hunches, I think David was grappling with the realization that his formerly secure and prosperous reign as King of Israel was now falling apart—the governmental foundations were crumbling. Perhaps this psalm could deserve a heading similar to that of Psalm 3—“A psalm of David. When he fled from his son Absalom.” Not fun!

Back to David’s rhetorical question—what can people who love God and desire above all else to please Him do when they see their political, national, economic, educational, and social foundations decaying?—when the majority of the populace around them lose their moral compass? My best answer to the question is this: DON’T ALLOW POPULAR DECADENCE TO INFECT YOUR PERSONAL FOUNDATIONS—YOUR PERSONAL HEART AFTER GOD. That’s not just what the righteous can do—that’s what they must do!—in order to come out of these kinds of crisis as secure winners—as a victorious “workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15).

Herein is one of the main reasons I see great value in giving attention to the Psalms (most of which being authored by David). In our own grappling with how to behave in the context of popular decadence, we can find abundant contemporary support, guidance, and encouragement from ancient David—who has been there, done that, has the t-shirt.

I’m finding difficulty being selective with Proverbs 11. There are too many good ideas to process! Let me at least cite the principle of verse 3 because I think it applies well to this urgent matter we’re addressing above: “The integrity of the upright (those who maintain sound godly foundations) guides them, but the unfaithful (those who are given to compromise with the world’s standards) are destroyed by their duplicity.”