Insightful Musings on theScriptures
by
Raymond P. Sparre
Northwest University class of '67
Good day, dear people.
I zipped up 7 cedar logs this morning in about 2 hours. The guy was happy. So was I. Even Thano helped out a little this time.
There remain a lot of logistical challenges to lace into this afternoon—as well as into the rest of the week. I hope I can squeeze in my little old man nap today.
Thano has a big burn pile blazing in view from this window. There’s a lot of burning yet to do before they put forth another burn ban. I hope some dry weather will come to allow mowing the grass. It’s growing like crazy.
May the rest of your day go well.
Love, Dad/Ray.
When the just anger of the Most High arises to deal with the unjust anger of the most low (human cockroaches) of earth, those rescued and benefited by His intervention cannot help but praise Him. We can cite the case of the Israelites being the object of Pharaoh’s wrath. His stubborn refusal to release them along with the oppression he inflicted gave cause and opportunity for the Almighty to demonstrate His power to punish injustice and to deliver those who turn to Him.
Biblical revelation makes it clear that Sovereign God is capable of wrath/anger against the unreasonable and inexcusable rebellion of His human creatures. Who can argue that fact? But that is one of the core reasons why I have some difficulty with the concept of GOD’S UNCONDITIONAL LOVE—at least with the way many seem to casually use the cliché. If His love and grace was truly UNCONDITIONAL (without borders, without limits, all-inclusive, absolutely nothing can prevent or impede it), then there could be no place for anger or consequence to such rebellion or disobedience. But I think I recognize how even the real consequence of HELL plays out to honor Sovereign God. After all, if He has so clearly said there is serious consequence to willful sin and rebellion, but there really isn’t any, how could His integrity not be seriously marred?—how could He be regarded as trustworthy?
One of the entries from Proverbs 16 agrees with this spin. “The LORD works out everything for his own ends—even the wicked for a day of disaster” (Proverbs 16:4). This does not require us to gloat over such consequence—or to imagine the Sovereign as doing the same. But it definitely confirms that every person possessing a functional mind faces unavoidable responsibilities before his Maker.