Insightful Musings on theScriptures

by

Raymond P. Sparre
Northwest University class of '67

Good morning, dear people.

Overcast here at present—but dry. After sending this, I’ll attempt a jog. After that I may try to break out my Total Gym exercise machine to work on some upper body strength and conditioning. For one thing, I can see where paddling a kayak for long hauls could be a bit taxing for an old man.

Becki called me last evening just to report on her trip and the general state of affairs down there in California. He sister Lorna is quite unresponsive to anyone or anything at this point. Sad. No dialogue—reminiscing the past—only monologue—and prayer—with the possibility that there could be some cognitive function behind the non-responsiveness. The glaring reality is this: There lies us all—with minor exceptions. It’s just a matter of time. I suppose that some of these thoughts influence some thought trails below.

Blessings on your day.

Love, Dad/Ray.

Here is an example of the promise given to David by God via the medium of Nathan the prophet: “The Lord declares to you that the Lord himself will establish a house for you: When your days are over and you rest with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, who will come from your own body, and I will establish his kingdom. He is the one who will build a house for my Name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. I will be his father, and he will be my son. When he does wrong, I will punish him with the rod of men, with floggings inflicted by men. But my love will never be taken away from him, as I took it away from Saul, whom I removed from before you. Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me ; your throne will be established forever” (2 Samuel 7:11-16).

It’s easy to imagine how this message of promise from the Lord would render great security and encouragement to David. Be reminded that you and I have a message of promise from the Lord too—in fact, many. Believing them should render great peace, security, and encouragement for us as well. Let’s rehearse just one example of a great promise given by Jesus to His disciples: “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God ; trust also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am” (John 14:1-4).

When Peter was pumped with fresh power and inspiration by the Holy Spirit on that sensational Day of Pentecost, he affirmed that this wonderful promise includes you and me. “The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off — for all whom the Lord our God will call” (Acts 2:39). Are you encouraged yet? Let’s be thankful not only for the promises that anticipate a very bright eternal future, but for the here-and-now benefits those promises render—peace, security, and encouragement. How would we cope with the present without them? My answer: Not very well.