Insightful Musings on theScriptures

by

Raymond P. Sparre
Northwest University class of '67

Good morning, dear ones.

Not much temptation to visit the mountain when the temperature at Timberline is only 35 degrees. But Becki and I got in our little walk/jog excursion up the hill—without any rain.

I need to get ready to apply graphics to a log truck this morning. Then a couple trucks for the Colton telephone company needs graphics. Another company in Estacada needs graphics on a couple trucks. I need to be prepared to apply those on Monday.

Along the way I guess we all need to expect some trouble and suffering. On this side of eternity, there’s no escaping it—any more than escaping death. All we can do is be committed to being good students/disciples in His school—where at least a good deal of the curriculum can be described in the saying—“ADVERSITY IS GOD’S UNIVERSITY.”

Have a blessed day.

Love, Dad/Ray.

That may have been a true expression of David’s feelings, but it was not a true expression of FACT—that the LORD had forsaken him.

As I process Psalm 22 a modern proverb comes to mind that goes something like this: “SUCCESS MAKES FAILURES OF PEOPLE MORE THAN ANYTHING ELSE.” Another one with a similar bent goes, “IT CALLS FOR A STRONG PERSONAL CONSTITUTION TO ENDURE REPEATED ATTACKS OF PROSPERITY.” If I interpret SUCCESS and PROSPERITY as being basically void of trouble and suffering, I have to ask myself how I personally would fare if I were SUCCESSFUL and PROSPEROUS?—how I would live and treat others if I were on a continual roll?—seeing things consistently go my way?—very rarely hassled by setback, conflict, opposition, or infirmity?—embracing the illusion that my own brilliance, strength, hard work, and commitment were the key factors to making me so SUCCESSFUL and PROSPEROUS? In all honesty I would be absolutely scared of me!—I would most likely become one of the most obnoxious hind-ends of a donkey the world has ever seen!

The point is that we all need trouble and suffering as refining influences toward proper development—toward the versions of SUCCESS and PROSPERITY God values. What would we do without the ingredients of trouble and suffering? The writer of Hebrews is inspired to make this observation concerning Jesus and His real life experiences: “Although he was a son, he learned obedience from what he suffered and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him…” (Hebrews 5:8-10).

Speaking of inspiration, it is abundantly clear that David was inspired to compose Psalm 22. Besides being an expression of his own heart in response to his unbecoming circumstances, it is a prophetic description that fits the sufferings of Jesus surrounding His cross experience like a hand in glove. We have no idea what exactly was going on in David’s life at the point of this writing. We can only be sure it was not a fun time—an episode of deep anguish. And his inspiration was so authentic as to inspire Jesus Himself to quote the first line of this psalm during the peak of His own suffering on the cross—as He fulfilled His role and function as “the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.”

It’s highly unlikely that anyone will accidentally come to thank God for his troubles and sufferings. But that is exactly what we are instructed to do as an act of our will. Consider again the emphatic advice Paul gives to the believers at Philippi: “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near (even when one feels forsaken). Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:4-7).