Insightful Musings on theScriptures

by

Raymond P. Sparre
Northwest University class of '67

Beautiful morning greetings, dear ones.

Just gorgeous out there! Wish I could do something in it rather than just work. But there are definitely some vital benefits gleaned from work—like money. At least I have a good deal of work hollering for my attention. All I need now is to give it the time and energy required to translate it into money. With my waning energy, that’s not as easy as it used to be.

So, I’m a dollar short and a day behind again. Oh well.

Have a great day.

Love, Dad/Ray.

Little wonder that Psalm 91 has been so embraced by God-seekers down through the centuries. What a tremendous affirmation of security is afforded those who choose a HEART AFTER GOD!—those who value His presence above all other relationships—those who understand that the purpose of their very existence is to honor and please their Maker. But those who don’t get it—and I don’t say this with any delight—those who resist seeking the Most High and being accountable to Him—they are of the classification defined in the second half of Psalm 1: “Not so the wicked! They are like chaff that the wind blows away. Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous. For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish” (Psalm 1:4-6). To be sure, PERISHING is not good—not something to be pursued—offers no positive benefits. And to offer escape from this terrible fate is exactly why Jesus came “to give his life as a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:28; John 3:16).

There is, however, a glaring problem with Psalm 91 IF one is to only interpret it literally—to only apply it to physical protection, health, and well being. In that exclusive case, it’s just not true—it falls apart. It’s best applied to spiritual and eternal protection, health, and well being. For example, “A thousand shall fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you”(91:7). There is no historical evidence to show that unregenerate people are the only victims of physical tragedies, atrocities, death, and disease. But when applied to the ultimate and eternal scheme of things, these promises become a wonderful psycho-spiritual reservoir of refuge and truth—about which David is able to exclaim, “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever” (Psalm 23:6, KJV).

Proverbs 31 offers a description of the ideal wife. “A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies” (Proverbs 31:10). But I don’t think it’s very likely to have a “Proverbs 31 wife” independent of a Proverbs 31 husband—one who recognizes and appreciates her excellence. The key phrase is “noble character”, which I think best describes one with a HEART AFTER GOD. Therefore, this is the ideal status of everyone—character goals worth pursuing. “Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting (You can say that again!); but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. Give her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate” (Proverbs 31:30-31). Lace into this the Biblical metaphor that the Church of Christ is the Bride of Christ, and the description of this ideal wife can be an ideal standard for us all—beyond the “city gate” all the way to the Pearly Gate.