Insightful Musings on theScriptures

by

Raymond P. Sparre
Northwest University class of '67

Hello, nice people.

It’s looking like another nice day out there. It should be a pleasant drive to Eugene to scope out that LOGGING CONFERENCE—along with some good company in the form of old friend Charlie Peterson. Our acquaintance goes back to ancient times—when we were both 7 years old—second grade—Seattle. It’s about time for breakfast—then we’ll be off in a cloud of dust and a hardy, “Hi, ho whatever!”

Blessings on your day.

Love, Dad/Ray.

Do you see what David is doing here? He is taking the decisive objective initiative to seize control of his lazy subjective nature—with its tendency to be manipulated and pulled around by circumstances. While he may not be flawlessly steadfast in his management, he is affirming at this point that he wants to be, recognizing how absolutely important it is to be so—and how absolutely worthy his God is of his worship—no matter what his circumstances. After all, how close to steadfast could David get if he didn’t want to be?

David is modeling the discipline of psycho-spiritual therapy. As I think more about that statement, I think the word “therapy” is quite appropriate. It’s a word widely used around modern medicine—giving rise to all kinds of programs, disciplines, and exercises to aid people toward management and/or recovery from all kinds of injuries and disabilities. Following a compression fracture to my left knee while skiing at Mt. Bachelor in about 2005, I remember the doctor prescribing physical therapy. Some of that treatment was definitely not fun—but important. We are wise to recognize the damaging and crippling affect our NATURAL SIN NATURE has had, and still has, on our entire lives. It must be constantly and decisively managed.

Notice the value David gives to music and song—as both expressions of praise and worship as well as an effective discipline of psycho-spiritual therapy. “Wake up, you lazy soul!” he says to himself, in so many words. “We’re going to get out the songbook and guitar (or whatever) and open each day with songs of praise and worship to our wonderful God!”—singing, “Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let your glory be over all the earth” (vv. 5, 11).