Archives for April 2016

Good morning,

Several weeks ago I taught on learning songs from the Bible. Then I began to teach the “songs” in the context in which they were written. This week I am teaching on Psalm 19, 125, and 122. Please join us as we learn more about God’s word.

This passage contains one of the Scripture songs. Verse 1 of Psalm 122 explains David’s joy when going to worship God.

Psalm 122

A heart for God (1-2)

 I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord. ² Our feet shall stand within thy gates, O Jerusalem.

A heart for praise (3-5)

³ Jerusalem is builded as a city that is compact together: ⁴ Whither the tribes go up, the tribes of the Lord, unto the testimony of Israel, to give thanks unto the name of the Lord. ⁵ For there are set thrones of judgment, the thrones of the house of David.

A heart for prayer (6-9)

⁶ Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee. ⁷ Peace be within thy walls, and prosperity within thy palaces. ⁸ For my brethren and companions’ sakes, I will now say, Peace be within thee. ⁹ Because of the house of the Lord our God I will seek thy good.

A Heart for God (1-2). “Let us go” sounds tame, like an invitation to a tea. “We will go” is the better translation. Whether this was an invitation to someone living far from Jerusalem, or to David living in Jerusalem, the statement expressed determination and dedication. After the tent had been set up and the ark placed in it, no doubt David frequently went there to worship God, for David’s love for God’s house was well known (27:4; 65:4; 2 Sam. 7:1-3). He rejoiced at an opportunity to go with other worshipers to praise the Lord.

A Heart for Praise (3-5). The Lord had told His people that one day there would be a central place where they would worship (Ex. 23:14-19; Deut. 12:5-7, 11-14, 17-19; 14:23; 16:2, 16), and that place was Jerusalem. The Lord instructed David that the place on Mount Moriah where he had built the altar was to be the site for the temple (1 Chron. 21–22), and He also gave David the plans for the structure (1 Chron. 28). Jerusalem had been a Jebusite stronghold before David captured it and made it his capital city, “the city of David” (2 Sam. 5:6-10). His choice was a wise one, for not only was Mount Zion an almost impregnable citadel, but it was also located on the border of Judah and Benjamin and helped to bind the northern and southern tribes together. King Saul was from Benjamin, and David was from Judah.

When the psalmist looked at the city, he thought of unity and security. Just as the stones of the walls and houses were “bound firmly together,” so the people were bound together in their worship of the Lord and their respect for the throne. The twelve separate tribes, plus the tribe of Levi, shared the same ancestors and history, participated in the same worship in the same Holy City, and were governed by the same divine laws. But it was the praise of Jehovah that was central (v. 4). God had commanded that His people go to Jerusalem for the feasts of Passover, Pentecost, and Tabernacles (Ex. 23:14-19; John 4:20-21), and the people went as worshipers and not sightseers. Yes, there was much to see in Jerusalem, but giving thanks to the Lord was their most important task and their greatest privilege.

A Heart for Prayer (6-9). The name “Jerusalem” means “foundation of peace,” and yet the city has been a center of conflict for centuries. If we understand biblical prophecy correctly, there can be no peace in Jerusalem or on earth until the Prince of Peace reigns on David’s throne (Isa. 9:6-7; Luke 1:26-33). So, when we pray for the peace of Jerusalem, we are actually praying, “Thy kingdom come” (Matt. 6:10) and “Even so, come, Lord Jesus” (Rev. 22:20). Jesus wept over the city because its residents were ignorant of the peace God had for them (Luke 19:41-48) and had rejected their own Messiah (John 11:47-48). But our intercession must not be perfunctory prayers; they must come from our hearts because we love God and love His people. Note the fruit of the Spirit in this psalm: love (v. 6), joy (v. 1), and peace (v. 6-8; Gal. 5:22).

This commentary was provided from the book “Be Exultant (Psalms 90-150), Repackaged”,  written by Warren W. Wiersbe.

Reading this Psalm makes me ask myself the question, “Why do I go to church?” Do I go because I have to, or it is expected of me, or maybe it is part of my duties as a church leader? No! I go to worship the Lord Jesus Christ who paid my sin debt with His precious blood on the cross at Calvary, was buried, and on the third day defeated death and hell by coming forth from the grave VICTORIOUS!

We should be going to church as this Psalm states to give thanks, pray, and give praise to our Lord Jesus Christ.

Please meditate on why you go to church. Then go with a new perspective of excitement, thanksgiving, and praise to God.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

Several weeks ago I taught on learning songs from the Bible. Then I began to teach the “songs” in the context in which they were written. This week I am teaching on Psalm 19, 125, and 122. Please join us as we learn more about God’s word.

This passage is one of the Scripture songs. Verses 1 and 2 of Psalm 125 picture the security that believers have in the Lord.

Psalm 125

Faith keeps us standing (1-2)

They that trust in the Lord shall be as mount Zion, which cannot be removed, but abideth for ever. ² As the mountains are round about Jerusalem, so the Lord is round about his people from henceforth even for ever.

Faith keeps us obeying (3)

³ For the rod of the wicked shall not rest upon the lot of the righteous; lest the righteous put forth their hands unto iniquity.

Faith keeps us praying (4)

⁴ Do good, O Lord, unto those that be good, and to them that are upright in their hearts.

Faith keeps us hoping (5)

⁵ As for such as turn aside unto their crooked ways, the Lord shall lead them forth with the workers of iniquity: but peace shall be upon Israel.

Faith Keeps Us Standing (v. 1-2). Spiritual security and stability belong to those who walk by faith. The city of Jerusalem was firmly established and could not be shaken. For one thing, it was built on a solid foundation of rock that went deep into the ground. The city was surrounded by a number of hills and probably two sets of walls. Even more, Jerusalem was home to the holy temple of Jehovah and the throne of David. God’s glory and God’s authority dwelt among His people.

The writer did not say that God’s people should be like Mount Zion but that they are like Mount Zion. We are built upon the solid Rock, Jesus Christ (1 Cor. 3:11; 1 Peter 2:4-8). He dwells within us and He surrounds us with His protection and mercy. As people of faith, we shall not be moved (16:8; 21:7; 62:6). Like Paul, we say, “None of these things move me” (Acts 20:24). We have a marvelous standing, for we stand in God’s grace (Rom. 5:2; Gal. 5:1), and we stand by faith (Rom. 11:20). We take our stand on the truths of the Word of God (2 Thessalonians 2:15) and stand in the will of God (Col. 4:12). It is God who enables us to stand (2 Cor. 1:21, 24), and because He does, we are able to accomplish the work He wants us to do (1 Cor. 15:58). When we begin to trust ourselves or other people, and we bypass the Lord, then we begin to waver, stumble, and fall.

Faith Keeps Us Obeying (v. 3). The land of Israel belongs to the Lord, and He allowed His people to dwell there as long as they obeyed His covenant (Lev. 25:2, 23, 38). The land was assigned by lot to the various tribes (Josh. 14–19) and was never to be sold to anyone outside the tribe. But over the years, their sins defiled the land, and the Lord finally had to send the people to Babylon to give the land the rest and cleansing it needed. While the people were away, some of the land was taken over by strangers, including Gentiles from neighboring nations, and this had to be straightened out when the exiles returned. Israel was under Persian rule during the postexilic years, and the Persian officers could do as they pleased. Some of the Jews became weary of this arrangement and capitulated to the Persians. But the “scepter of wickedness” was wielded not only by Persians but also by greedy Israelite’s who disobeyed God’s law and exploited their own people (Neh. 5). The prevalence of evil makes it easier for everybody to sin (Matt. 24:12), but the Lord will not permit this to go on forever. The people who trust God will obey His Word no matter what others may do, and they will not succumb to temptation (1 Cor. 10:13).

Faith Keeps Us Praying (v. 4). Jesus taught us to keep on praying and not become discouraged if the answer is long in coming (Luke 18:1-8). The times may be bad, but there are always good people in bad times, people who trust God and obey His will. No matter how depressing the times may be, people of faith pray and receive good things from the hand of their Father (Luke 11:9-13). To live by faith is to keep our eyes on the Lord (123:1; Heb. 12:1-2), rest on the promises of His Word, and do what is right no matter what others may say or do. Faith means living without scheming.

Faith Keeps Us Hoping (v. 5). People of faith know that God will one day judge the disobedient, no matter how much they seem to get away with resisting God and abusing others. The future is your friend when Jesus is your Lord. It is not easy to walk on the narrow way, but it leads to life, while the broad way leads to destruction (Matt. 7:13-27). They may be enjoying the pleasures of sin now, but what will the outcome be? “Mark the blameless man, and observe the upright; for the future of that man is peace. But the transgressors shall be destroyed together; the future of the wicked shall be cut off” (37:37-38 NKJV).

The life of faith is not easy, but the life of unbelief is much harder–in this life and in the life to come. (Be Exultant (Psalms 90-150), Repackaged, Warren W. Wiersbe)

Faith is how we got saved and faith is how we must live our Christian life. Faith will lead us home to heaven and a face to face meeting with our Lord Jesus Christ.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

Good morning,

Several weeks ago I taught on learning songs from the Bible. Then I began to teach the “songs” in the context in which they were written. This week I am teaching on Psalm 19, 125, and 122. Please join us as we learn more about God’s word.

This passage is one of the Scripture songs. The law and statutes refer to God’s word. Verse 10 is the chorus.

Psalm 19

Revelation in the law (7-11)

⁷ The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.

⁸ The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.

⁹ The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.

¹⁰ More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.

¹¹ Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.

God’s word is perfect, sure, right, pure, clean, true, righteous, and results in a great reward.

The word of God converts the soul, makes the simple wise, rejoices the heart, enlightens the eyes, endures forever, desired more than gold, sweeter than honey, and warns.

My challenge to you is to read, obey, practice, and delight in the word of God, the Bible. You will always be blessed, encouraged, warned, and challenged by it.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

 

Good morning,
Several weeks ago I taught on learning songs from the Bible. Then I began to teach the “songs” in the context in which they were written. This week I am teaching on Psalm 19, 125, and 122. Please join us as we learn more about God’s word.

Psalm 19
Revelation in creation (1-6)

The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handiwork. 2 Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge. 3 There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard. 4 Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun, 5 Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race. 6 His going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof.

“Be Exultant (Psalm 90-150), Repackaged”, written by Warren Wiersbe, helps us to understand these verses.

The Worlds around Us–God the Creator (1-6).

David focused on the heavens above him, especially the circuit of the sun; but there are many worlds in God’s creation. They include the earth beneath our feet; the plant and animal worlds on earth, in the skies, and in the waters; the human world; the world of rocks and crystals; worlds visible to the human eye; and worlds so small we need special equipment to see them. World-famous biologist Edward O. Wilson claims there may be as many as 1.6 million species of fungi in the world today, 10,000 species of ants, 300,000 species of flowering plants, between 4,000 and 5,000 species of mammals, and approximately 10,000 species of birds. But these large numbers pale into insignificance when you start examining the heavens, as David did, and begin to calculate distances in light-years. David knew none of this modern scientific data, and yet when he pondered the heavens, he was overwhelmed by the glory of the Lord.

The Jewish people were forbidden to worship the objects in the heavens (Ex. 20:4-5; Deut. 4:14-19; 5:8-9), nor were they allowed to practice astrology (Isa. 47:13-14; Jer. 10:1-5). They worshiped the Creator, not the creation (Rom. 1:25). The existence of creation implied the existence of a Creator, and the nature of the creation implied that He was wise enough to plan it and powerful enough to execute His plan and maintain what He had made. So complex a universe demands a Creator who can do anything, who knows everything, and who is present everywhere. But even more, David knew that God was speaking to the inhabitants of the earth by means of His creation. Creation is a “wordless book” that everybody can read because it needs no translation. God speaks through creation day after day and night after night; His speech “pours out” silently, abundantly, universally.

In Romans 10:18, Paul quoted verse 4 as part of his explanation of why Israel rejected the gospel and what this rejection did to the nation. The Jewish people could never say that they had not heard God’s message, because Psalm 19:4 says that the whole world has heard. Therefore, both Gentiles and Jews stand guilty before God and need to be saved through faith in Jesus Christ, and we must take the salvation message to them (Rom. 10:1-15). Paul quoted from the Septuagint version of the Old Testament, which uses “sound” (voice) instead of “line,” but the sense is the same. Some translators use “influence” instead of “line.” God’s voice of power in creation prepares the way for His voice of grace in the gospel. When Paul preached to Gentiles, he started with creation and then moved into the gospel message (Acts 14:14-18; 17:22-31). Phillips Brooks gave the first instructions about God to Helen Keller, who was blind and deaf, and she replied that she had always known there was a God but didn’t know what His name was. Our task is to tell the world that His name is Jesus (Acts 4:12).

David was an outdoorsman and often watched the sunrise and sunset, and what he saw day after day reminded him of a bridegroom leaving the marriage pavilion to claim his bride, and a vigorous athlete running a race. The first image speaks of glory (the groom was richly attired), love, and anticipation, while the second speaks of power and determination.

But despite this universal message that pours out day and night to the entire world, most people ignore it and reject God because they want to live as they please (Rom. 1:18-23). The repeated question “Are people lost who have never heard about Jesus?” has two answers: (1) Yes, they are lost, because God speaks to them all day long, and they refuse to listen; (2) What are you doing about getting the message to these people?

Therein lies the challenge. Will you go and tell someone about our Savior, Jesus Christ?

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

Take a few moments to ponder the person of Jesus Christ. This devotion will have you rejoicing and thanking God for all He has done for you.

Yes, He is altogether lovely!

(William Dyer, “Christ’s Famous Titles”)

“Yes, He is altogether lovely!“ Song of Songs 5:16

Jesus is most desirable in Himself–and all things that are desirable are in Him. Beauty is in Christ, bounty is in Christ, riches and honor are in Christ. Jesus Christ is the treasure hidden in the gospel, and the pearl of great price. He is the sun in the firmament of the Scriptures, whom to know is everlasting life. He is . . .
a spring full of the water of life,
a hive of sweetness,
a storehouse of riches,
a river of pleasures, wherein you may bathe your souls to all eternity!

Oh! He is all fullness and sweetness! “He is the chief among ten thousand!” Song of Songs 5:10

You may go to Heaven . . .
without health,
without wealth,
without honor,
without pleasure,
  without friends,
without learning,
but you can never go to Heaven without Christ! “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” John 14:6

“He loved me–and gave Himself for me!” Galatians 2:20

All that Christ did and suffered–it is for me!

All that Christ has–is mine!
Christ’s love is mine to pity me!
Christ’s mercy is mine to save me!
Christ’s graces are mine to beautify me!
Christ’s power is mine to protect me!
Christ’s wisdom is mine to counsel me!
Christ’s Spirit is mine to comfort me!
Christ’s Word is mine to teach me!
Christ’s glory is mine to crown me!

Therefore, a grain of saving grace in the heart, is better than a chain of gold around the neck!

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

Good morning,

This week we will look at God ministering to His people with comfort. Endless times in our walk with the Lord, we need to be comforted. It may be in a time of illness, as we saw yesterday, or loss of home, treasure, or even a job. God is there and ready to comfort.

We will be studying Isaiah 51. Today we will look at Their afflictions and deliverances (17-23) and the Conclusion.

THEIR AFFLICTIONS AND DELIVERANCE (17-23)

¹⁷ Awake, awake, stand up, O Jerusalem, which hast drunk at the hand of the Lord the cup of his fury; thou hast drunken the dregs of the cup of trembling, and wrung them out. ¹⁸ There is none to guide her among all the sons whom she hath brought forth; neither is there any that taketh her by the hand of all the sons that she hath brought up. ¹⁹ These two things are come unto thee; who shall be sorry for thee? desolation, and destruction, and the famine, and the sword: by whom shall I comfort thee? ²⁰ Thy sons have fainted, they lie at the head of all the streets, as a wild bull in a net: they are full of the fury of the Lord, the rebuke of thy God. ²¹ Therefore hear now this, thou afflicted, and drunken, but not with wine: ²² Thus saith thy Lord the Lord, and thy God that pleadeth the cause of his people, Behold, I have taken out of thine hand the cup of trembling, even the dregs of the cup of my fury; thou shalt no more drink it again: ²³ But I will put it into the hand of them that afflict thee; which have said to thy soul, Bow down, that we may go over: and thou hast laid thy body as the ground, and as the street, to them that went over.

CONCLUSION

• Hearken unto God
• Awake from sleep to strength and standing for the Lord
• Remember what God has done in the past so that you may trust Him in the future
• Allow God to comfort you

God pleads the cause for His people Israel and then afflicts Israel’s enemies.

God does the same for us. If we are willing to come before our Lord Jesus, confess our sins, He will plead our cause to the Father. He will deal with the enemies of His people.

Allow God to comfort you and share that comfort with others.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

This week we will look at God ministering to His people with comfort. Endless times in our walk with the Lord, we need to be comforted. It may be in a time of illness, or loss of home, treasure, or even a job. God is there and ready to comfort.

We will be studying Isaiah 51. Today we will look at how Christ defends his people (9-16), and Friday, Their afflictions and deliverances (17-23) and the Conclusion.

CHRIST DEFENDS HIS PEOPLE (9-16)

⁹ Awake, awake, put on strength, O arm of the Lord; awake, as in the ancient days, in the generations of old. Art thou not it that hath cut Rahab, and wounded the dragon? ¹⁰ Art thou not it which hath dried the sea, the waters of the great deep; that hath made the depths of the sea a way for the ransomed to pass over? ¹¹ Therefore the redeemed of the Lord shall return, and come with singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy shall be upon their head: they shall obtain gladness and joy; and sorrow and mourning shall flee away. ¹² I, even I, am he that comforteth you: who art thou, that thou shouldest be afraid of a man that shall die, and of the son of man which shall be made as grass; ¹³ And forgettest the Lord thy maker, that hath stretched forth the heavens, and laid the foundations of the earth; and hast feared continually every day because of the fury of the oppressor, as if he were ready to destroy? and where is the fury of the oppressor? ¹⁴ The captive exile hasteneth that he may be loosed, and that he should not die in the pit, nor that his bread should fail. ¹⁵ But I am the Lord thy God, that divided the sea, whose waves roared: The Lord of hosts is his name. ¹⁶ And I have put my words in thy mouth, and I have covered thee in the shadow of mine hand, that I may plant the heavens, and lay the foundations of the earth, and say unto Zion, Thou art my people.

Verses 9-10 bring to Israel’s remembrance what God had already done for them. He was faithful to rescue them from the Egyptian bondage, drying up the Red Sea so they could walk over on dry ground. Knowing this, verses 11-12, tell of God’s plan and comfort for His people. He would bring them out of Babylon back to Zion (Israel), give them everlasting joy, gladness, and take away their mourning, and comfort them. Verses 13-14 remind them God is the maker of all things. Verses 15-17 tells them who God is and the relationship He has with Israel. He states that He is the Lord, the Lord of hosts, who came to put His words in their mouths, cover them with the shadow of His hand, and finishes by telling them they are His people.

When was the last time you rehearsed what God has done for you. Go back to the beginning and focus in on how great God has been to you. We never want to forget God’s blessings toward us. There is comfort in remembrance.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

This week we will look at God ministering to His people with comfort. Endless times in our walk with the Lord, we need to be comforted. It may be in a time of illness, as we saw yesterday, or loss of home, treasure, or even a job. God is there and ready to comfort.

We will be studying Isaiah 51. Today we will look at the power of God and the weakness of men (4-8), Thursday, Christ defends his people (9-16), and Friday, Their afflictions and deliverances (17-23) and the Conclusion.

THE POWER OF GOD AND THE WEAKNESS OF MEN (4-8)

⁴ Hearken unto me, my people; and give ear unto me, O my nation: for a law shall proceed from me, and I will make my judgment to rest for a light of the people. ⁵ My righteousness is near; my salvation is gone forth, and mine arms shall judge the people; the isles shall wait upon me, and on mine arm shall they trust. ⁶ Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look upon the earth beneath: for the heavens shall vanish away like smoke, and the earth shall wax old like a garment, and they that dwell therein shall die in like manner: but my salvation shall be for ever, and my righteousness shall not be abolished. ⁷ Hearken unto me, ye that know righteousness, the people in whose heart is my law; fear ye not the reproach of men, neither be ye afraid of their revilings. ⁸ For the moth shall eat them up like a garment, and the worm shall eat them like wool: but my righteousness shall be for ever, and my salvation from generation to generation.

Count how many times the words “me”, “my”, and “mine”, are use in this passage. Who is this referring? God is telling His people Israel that He is their righteousness and salvation. They do not need to be afraid of what man can do to them. God is totally in control.

Do we believe this? Do we live our lives so people see the reality of God in us? Is Jesus our righteousness and salvation?

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

Good morning,

Yesterday, we saw the picture of Jesus as the best Physician. Now we will look at God ministering to His people with comfort. Endless times in our walk with the Lord, we need to be comforted. It may be in a time of illness, as we saw yesterday, or loss of home, treasure, or even a job. God is there and ready to comfort.

We will be studying Isaiah 51. Today we will look at the Introduction and Exhortations to trust the Messiah (1-3), Wednesday, The power of God and the weakness of men (4-8), Thursday, Christ defends his people (9-16), and Friday, Their afflictions and deliverances (17-23) and the Conclusion.

INTRODUCTION:

This chapter is designed for the comfort and encouragement of those that fear God and keep his commandments, even when they walk in darkness and have no light. Whether it was intended primarily for the support of the captives in Babylon is not certain, probably it was; but comforts thus generally expressed ought not to be so confined. Whenever the church of God is in distress her friends and well-wishers may comfort themselves and one another with these words. (Matthew Henry Commentary)

EXHORTATIONS TO TRUST THE MESSIAH (1-3)

Hearken to me, ye that follow after righteousness, ye that seek the Lord: look unto the rock whence ye are hewn, and to the hole of the pit whence ye are digged. ² Look unto Abraham your father, and unto Sarah that bare you: for I called him alone, and blessed him, and increased him. ³ For the Lord shall comfort Zion: he will comfort all her waste places; and he will make her wilderness like Eden, and her desert like the garden of the Lord; joy and gladness shall be found therein, thanksgiving, and the voice of melody.

“How they are here directed to look back to their original, and the smallness of their beginning: “Look unto the rock whence you were hewn“ (the idolatrous family in Ur of the Chaldees, out of which Abraham was taken, the generation of slaves which the heads and fathers of their tribes were in Egypt); “look unto the hole of the pit out of which you were digged, as clay, when God formed you into a people.” (Matthew Henry Commentary)

God chose the nation of Israel. It began with one family, Abraham’s. It blossomed into a great nation. If the story ended there it would be great. BUT, the nation of Israel disobeys God over an extended period of time and they are now captives living Babylon. Remember this as you read this chapter because it will enhance the concept of comfort and mercy.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001