Insightful Musings on theScriptures

by

Raymond P. Sparre
Northwest University class of '67

Good evening, dear people.

We just returned home from some time with my cousin and wife in Portland. Rain is pounding on the roof at present. In fact, it was heavy during our entire drive home. Hope it will let up to allow me to follow through with more tree work tomorrow.

I feel that magnetic attraction to my bed again. It’s getting pretty intense.

Good night.

Love, Dad/Ray.

Everyone who believes in God must also grapple with the question, DOES GOD EXIST FOR ME, OR DO I EXIST FOR GOD? David again shines as a worthy role model when he recognizes that his own existence and lifestyle are intended by the Sovereign LORD to publicly enhance the LORD and His reputation among men. David answers clearly and correctly, “I exist for God”—therefore, “…for the sake of your name lead and guide me.” That perspective is not new to David—he has expressed it before, as in Psalm 23:3—“He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.” And it makes sense. That is, if God really does love this world of sinners, not willing that any should perish but all come to Him, repent of their sins, and receive His offer of Life, then of course—He wants to guide His saved ones, not just for the benefit of their own comfort and blessing, but also so that the option of Life through His Son may be presented as most attractive and desirable to others.

We can reason that even the description of the “Wife of Noble Character” in Proverbs 31 fits with this perspective. After all, it is a godly wife and mother that help to determine the presentation of her marriage and the performance of her children—together serving as adornments to her Biblical faith. The bottom line is that godliness and integrity render support to the Biblical Gospel, while the lack thereof among those who claim to have it actually tear it down faster and more completely than anything anyone can do outside the faith.

This really is a great line: “Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. Give her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her (and the God she serves) praise at the city gate” (Proverbs 31:30-31).