Insightful Musings on theScriptures

by

Raymond P. Sparre
Northwest University class of '67

Hello, nice people.

Lots on the Saturday list—but no big binding appointments. I’ve already had an appointment with Becki, joining with her to do our routine walk/jog together. Now we have another appointment to run into town to take brunch at a café—together. I’m sure glad I don’t get tired of being with her. Amazingly, she says the same thing. She likes being with her too—even with me there (smile).

Have a blessed day.

Love, Dad/Ray.

Anyone who has ever been a parent can identify with this plea. And oh, how heart-rending it can be when children choose paths that are counter-productive of wisdom. More than once the Proverbs describe that kind of parental pain. For example, “To have a fool for a son brings grief; there is no joy for the father of a fool” (Proverbs 17:21). The same pain is stated again a few verses down: “A foolish son brings grief to his father and bitterness to the one who bore him” (Proverbs 17:25).

When God chose an illustration to help us understand the relationship He desires between Himself and His human creatures, He chose the known relationship of a father with His son (and/or daughter). It is noteworthy, therefore, to recognize that this heart-level desire of a father toward his children defines the heart of God as well—rendering for Him either delight as they learn to embrace the wisdom of loving and trusting Him, or grief and disappointment as they embrace the folly of leaning to their own inferior understanding.

Knowing what we know, how would you calculate the heart response of David’s Heavenly Father toward David as David expresses his own in the composition of Psalm 23? Did He interpret the psalm as an expression of wisdom?—or was it viewed as foolishness? How was God made to feel with David’s parallel metaphor that equated his Heavenly Father with his Heavenly Shepherd? Of course we know the answers. I can only imagine that Psalm 23 absolutely delighted his Father’s heart!—so much so that He poured into David added insight and confidence. “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me…Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.” (Psalm 23:4, 6). Wow! That impresses me as wisdom beyond David’s ability to be wise. Is it any wonder, then, that the Father expressed His delight in David by saying, “I have found David son of Jesse a man after my own heart” (Acts 13:22)—He found in David a HEART AFTER GOD. Besides this attitude of heart, can there even be any more guaranteed way to bring pleasure to the heart of our Heavenly Father/Maker?—or a more guaranteed means for directing pleasing benefits back to ourselves? I don’t think so. Indeed—let’s get it straight—THAT’S WHY WE’RE HERE!