Archives for May 2017

Good morning,

David was a patient man. Saul was pursuing him for many years. He was always on the run. He lived in cave, tents, and in the enemy’s land. Yet he waited.

Psalm 13, David prays about this. He asks God to act and yet he really wants God’s will.

“How long wilt thou forget me, O Lord? for ever? how long wilt thou hide thy face from me?² How long shall I take counsel in my soul, having sorrow in my heart daily? how long shall mine enemy be exalted over me?³ Consider and hear me, O Lord my God: lighten mine eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death;⁴ Lest mine enemy say, I have prevailed against him; and those that trouble me rejoice when I am moved.⁵ But I have trusted in thy mercy; my heart shall rejoice in thy salvation.⁶ I will sing unto the Lord, because he hath dealt bountifully with me.”

David knew who to trust. When David’s patience was running low, he did four things.

First, he trusted in the mercy of the Lord. He rested in God. He had already witnessed the great power of God. He knew of the love and kindness of God.

Second, he rejoiced in the salvation of God. When in battle, it was God that brought him through.

Third, he sang songs of worship and praise to God. He focused his mind on God. The Psalms are the fruit of his labors. Songs extolling the goodness of God in all circumstances.

Fourth, he realized God’s bounty. Whether spiritual or material, God took care of David and his rag tag army. He supplied food, clothing, shelter, and hideouts. He surrounded him with unseen angels of protection. He gave him wisdom and discernment.

When the going got tough, David went to God.

Is that where we go? When the going gets tough for us, do we do what David did or take matters into our own hands? God is much better equipped to deal with our adversities than we are. Why don’t we let Him.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

 

Good morning,

The last of our character sketches from 1 Samuel is David.

David was shepherd. He played the harp. He was youngest in a family of eight. Yet, God chose him to be the next King of Israel.

“And Samuel said unto Jesse, Are here all thy children? And he said, There remaineth yet the youngest, and, behold, he keepeth the sheep. And Samuel said unto Jesse, Send and fetch him: for we will not sit down till he come hither.¹² And he sent, and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, and withal of a beautiful countenance, and goodly to look to. And the Lord said, Arise, anoint him: for this is he.¹³ Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the Spirit of the Lord came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel rose up, and went to Ramah.” (16:11-13)

“And it came to pass, when the evil spirit from God was upon Saul, that David took a harp, and played with his hand: so Saul was refreshed, and was well, and the evil spirit departed from him.” (16:23)

Saul loves David and makes him his armor-bearer.

“And David came to Saul, and stood before him: and he loved him greatly; and he became his armor-bearer.” (16:21)

David kills Goliath in the name of God. The Philistines have come up against Israel. The Philistines challenged Israel to a one-man fight. Their champion Goliath against Israel’s best. Israel was afraid and had no one to fight Goliath. David trusted God. He went in God’s power and defeated Goliath.

“Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied.” (17:45)

Saul’s jealousy causes him to want David dead.

“And David went out whithersoever Saul sent him, and behaved himself wisely: and Saul set him over the men of war, and he was accepted in the sight of all the people, and also in the sight of Saul’s servants.⁶ And it came to pass as they came, when David was returned from the slaughter of the Philistine, that the women came out of all cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet king Saul, with tabrets, with joy, and with instruments of music.⁷ And the women answered one another as they played, and said, Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands.⁸ And Saul was very wroth, and the saying displeased him; and he said, They have ascribed unto David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed but thousands: and what can he have more but the kingdom?⁹ And Saul eyed David from that day and forward.” (18:5-9)

“¹⁰ And it came to pass on the morrow, that the evil spirit from God came upon Saul, and he prophesied in the midst of the house: and David played with his hand, as at other times: and there was a javelin in Saul’s hand. ¹¹ And Saul cast the javelin; for he said, I will smite David even to the wall with it. And David avoided out of his presence twice.” (18:10-11)

Saul pursues David trying to kill him. He is unsuccessful.

David spares Saul’s life twice because Saul is the Lord’s anointed!

“And he said unto his men, The Lord forbid that I should do this thing unto my master, the Lord’s anointed, to stretch forth mine hand against him, seeing he is the anointed of the Lord.⁷ So David stayed his servants with these words, and suffered them not to rise against Saul. But Saul rose up out of the cave, and went on his way.” (24:6-7)

“And David said to Abishai, Destroy him not: for who can stretch forth his hand against the Lord’s anointed, and be guiltless?¹⁰ David said furthermore, As the Lord liveth, the Lord shall smite him; or his day shall come to die; or he shall descend into battle, and perish.¹¹ The Lord forbid that I should stretch forth mine hand against the Lord’s anointed: but, I pray thee, take thou now the spear that is at his bolster, and the cruse of water, and let us go.” (26:9-11)

David was a Godly man who understood he would be King. He also understood he would not be King till the death of Saul. He was willing to wait on God’s timing.

This is a very appropriate topic for this day. Many people today, including believers in Christ, orchestrate events so they can get what they want. They are not concerned about God’s will, word, or way. They want what they want and they want it NOW! David waited patiently, many years, over horrible circumstances, with death knocking at his door daily. His patience was rewarded by God. God allowed him to be King over His people Israel.

God has a plan and purpose for our lives. The process takes a lifetime to execute. The reward is to spend eternity with God in heaven.

Think about your priorities. Do they line up with God’s word? Are you waiting patiently on the Lord? Is Jesus the highest priority in your life?

David put God first. So should we.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Good morning,

God has rejected Saul as King. He has had Samuel anoint David as Saul’s successor. Saul realizes this and tries to kill David on numerous occasions. Jonathan, Saul’s son, loved David as his own soul.

“And it came to pass, when he had made an end of speaking unto Saul, that the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul.” (18:1)

Saul commanded his son Jonathan and his servants to kill David. Jonathan stands up for David and Saul relents and chooses not to have David killed.

“And Saul spake to Jonathan his son, and to all his servants, that they should kill David.  And Jonathan spake good of David unto Saul his father, and said unto him, Let not the king sin against his servant, against David; because he hath not sinned against thee, and because his works have been to thee-ward very good:⁵ For he did put his life in his hand, and slew the Philistine, and the Lord wrought a great salvation for all Israel: thou sawest it, and didst rejoice: wherefore then wilt thou sin against innocent blood, to slay David without a cause?⁶ And Saul hearkened unto the voice of Jonathan: and Saul sware, As the Lord liveth, he shall not be slain.” (19:1, 4-6)

Jonathan commits himself to protect David at all costs. This could be seen as treason, but God protects Jonathan. Chapter 20 tells how Jonathan protects David. A covenant is made between Jonathan and David. In their last meeting together, Jonathan and David renew the covenant.

^“And Jonathan Saul’s son arose, and went to David into the wood, and strengthened his hand in God.¹⁷ And he said unto him, Fear not: for the hand of Saul my father shall not find thee; and thou shalt be king over Israel, and I shall be next unto thee; and that also Saul my father knoweth. ¹⁸ And they two made a covenant before the Lord: and David abode in the wood, and Jonathan went to his house. (23:16-18)

Saul and Jonathan die in a battle with the Philistines.

Jonathan exemplifies what a friend should be. Selfless, encouraging, protecting, integrity, concerned more about the other person then themselves, willing to die for their friend. He received no benefit for his loyalty. He required nothing but the opportunity to serve.

Do we have anyone we are that loyal to? Or anyone who is that loyal to us? Jonathan was a blessing to David and ultimately to Israel.

This is the kind of friend we should strive to be!

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

Good morning,

Saul is king of Israel. He has been anointed and crowned. He has won his first battle. All is going well until…..

Saul failed to keep the commandment of the Lord twice. God removed him from being king.

Israel attacks the Philistine garrison at Geba and takes it. The Philistines mobilize their troops to counter attack. The Philistine army had horses, chariots, and weapons, and a multitude of foot soldiers.

Samuel told Saul to wait seven days till he arrived to offer burnt offering to the Lord. When Samuel failed to show within the seven days, Saul offered the burnt offering. Only the Priest was allowed to perform this duty.

“And he tarried seven days, according to the set time that Samuel had appointed: but Samuel came not to Gilgal; and the people were scattered from him.⁹ And Saul said, Bring hither a burnt offering to me, and peace offerings. And he offered the burnt offering.¹⁰ And it came to pass, that as soon as he had made an end of offering the burnt offering, behold, Samuel came; and Saul went out to meet him, that he might salute him.¹¹ And Samuel said, What hast thou done? And Saul said, Because I saw that the people were scattered from me, and that thou camest not within the days appointed, and that the Philistines gathered themselves together at Michmash;¹² Therefore said I, The Philistines will come down now upon me to Gilgal, and I have not made supplication unto the Lord: I forced myself therefore, and offered a burnt offering. ¹³ And Samuel said to Saul, Thou hast done foolishly: thou hast not kept the commandment of the Lord thy God, which he commanded thee: for now would the Lord have established thy kingdom upon Israel for ever.¹⁴ But now thy kingdom shall not continue: the Lord hath sought him a man after his own heart, and the Lord hath commanded him to be captain over his people, because thou hast not kept that which the Lord commanded thee.” (13:8-14)

The Samuel commands Saul to war with Amalek. He was to utterly destroy them. Man, women, children, cattle, houses, everything was to be destroyed.

“Thus saith the Lord of hosts, I remember that which Amalek did to Israel, how he laid wait for him in the way, when he came up from Egypt. ³ Now go and smite Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have, and spare them not; but slay both man and woman, infant and suckling, ox and sheep, camel and ass.” (15:2-3)

Saul did not obey God.

“But Saul and the people spared Agag, and the best of the sheep, and of the oxen, and of the fatlings, and the lambs, and all that was good, and would not utterly destroy them: but every thing that was vile and refuse, that they destroyed utterly.” (15:9)

Saul argues with Samuel that he did obey the Lord. Then the Lord judges Saul.

“And Samuel came to Saul: and Saul said unto him, Blessed be thou of the Lord: I have performed the commandment of the Lord.¹⁴ And Samuel said, What meaneth then this bleating of the sheep in mine ears, and the lowing of the oxen which I hear?¹⁵ And Saul said, They have brought them from the Amalekites: for the people spared the best of the sheep and of the oxen, to sacrifice unto the Lord thy God; and the rest we have utterly destroyed.¹⁶ Then Samuel said unto Saul, Stay, and I will tell thee what the Lord hath said to me this night. And he said unto him, Say on.¹⁷ And Samuel said, When thou wast little in thine own sight, wast thou not made the head of the tribes of Israel, and the Lord anointed thee king over Israel?¹⁸ And the Lord sent thee on a journey, and said, Go and utterly destroy the sinners the Amalekites, and fight against them until they be consumed.¹⁹ Wherefore then didst thou not obey the voice of the Lord, but didst fly upon the spoil, and didst evil in the sight of the Lord? ²⁰ And Saul said unto Samuel, Yea, I have obeyed the voice of the Lord, and have gone the way which the Lord sent me, and have brought Agag the king of Amalek, and have utterly destroyed the Amalekites. ²¹ But the people took of the spoil, sheep and oxen, the chief of the things which should have been utterly destroyed, to sacrifice unto the Lord thy God in Gilgal. ²² And Samuel said, Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.²³ For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the Lord, he hath also rejected thee from being king.”

Disobedience to God’s word has its consequences! We need to remember the example of Saul. God will punish us for disobeying Him.

Please take the word of God seriously. It is there to help you to maneuver the minefields of life.

Praise God daily for His abundant love, mercy, and grace.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

 

 

 

Good morning,

Israel demanded a king to rule over them instead of God.

Samuel finds and anoints Saul to be Israel’s first King. “Now the Lord had told Samuel in his ear a day before Saul came, saying,¹⁶ Tomorrow about this time I will send thee a man out of the land of Benjamin, and thou shalt anoint him to be captain over my people Israel, that he may save my people out of the hand of the Philistines: for I have looked upon my people, because their cry is come unto me.” (9:15-16) “Then Samuel took a vial of oil, and poured it upon his head, and kissed him, and said, Is it not because the Lord hath anointed thee to be captain over his inheritance?” (10:1)

Samuel gives Saul specific instructions. Saul complies. One is that the spirit of the Lord would come upon him and God would be with him. “And the Spirit of the Lord will come upon thee, and thou shalt prophesy with them, and shalt be turned into another man.⁷ And let it be, when these signs are come unto thee, that thou do as occasion serve thee; for God is with thee.” (10:6-7)

Saul was a reluctant king. When his presentation before Israel to be pronounced as King, he was hiding.

“When he had caused the tribe of Benjamin to come near by their families, the family of Matri was taken, and Saul the son of Kish was taken: and when they sought him, he could not be found.²² Therefore they enquired of the Lord further, if the man should yet come thither. And the Lord answered, Behold he hath hid himself among the stuff.²³ And they ran and fetched him thence: and when he stood among the people, he was higher than any of the people from his shoulders and upward. ²⁴ And Samuel said to all the people, See ye him whom the Lord hath chosen, that there is none like him among all the people? And all the people shouted, and said, God save the king.” (10:21-24)

Saul was a warrior king. Saul led the armies of Israel against the Ammonites. “And it was so on the morrow, that Saul put the people in three companies; and they came into the midst of the host in the morning watch, and slew the Ammonites until the heat of the day: and it came to pass, that they which remained were scattered, so that two of them were not left together.” (11:11)

If the story ended here, all would be fine. It does not. Tomorrow we will see the other side of Saul’s life.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

 

 

Good morning,

Yesterday, Eli’s sons caused the nation of Israel to transgress. Eli’s successor, Samuel, had his own family issues.

Samuel was the next Priest and Judge of Israel.

After the death of Eli, the Philistines ruled over Israel for twenty years. Then Samuel said, “And Samuel spake unto all the house of Israel, saying, If ye do return unto the Lord with all your hearts, then put away the strange gods and Ashtaroth from among you, and prepare your hearts unto the Lord, and serve him only: and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines.⁴ Then the children of Israel did put away Baalim and Ashtaroth, and served the Lord only.” (7:3-4)

Samuel prayed, sacrificed, and cried unto the Lord for Israel. Israel repented, humbled themselves, and trusted the Lord. God gave Israel victory over the Philistines. “So the Philistines were subdued, and they came no more into the coast of Israel: and the hand of the Lord was against the Philistines all the days of Samuel.¹⁴ And the cities which the Philistines had taken from Israel were restored to Israel, from Ekron even unto Gath; and the coasts thereof did Israel deliver out of the hands of the Philistines. And there was peace between Israel and the Amorites. ¹⁵ And Samuel judged Israel all the days of his life.” (7:13-15)

Unfortunately, this is not the end of the story. Samuel grows old and made his sons judges over Israel. His sons, Joel and Abiah, were wicked. “And it came to pass, when Samuel was old, that he made his sons judges over Israel.² Now the name of his firstborn was Joel; and the name of his second, Abiah: they were judges in Beersheba. ³ And his sons walked not in his ways, but turned aside after lucre, and took bribes, and perverted judgment.” (8:1-3)

The elders of Israel come to Samuel. They tell him that they do not want Joel and Abiah to judge over them when he dies. The elders demand a king. “Then all the elders of Israel gathered themselves together, and came to Samuel unto Ramah,⁵ And said unto him, Behold, thou art old, and thy sons walk not in thy ways: now make us a king to judge us like all the nations.⁶ But the thing displeased Samuel, when they said, Give us a king to judge us. And Samuel prayed unto the Lord.” (8:4-6)

Again, Samuel, did not train his sons in such a way that they obeyed the Law of Moses. Because of their disobedience, it caused the elders of Israel to demand a king. Although the Bible characterizes Samuel as a Godly man, who taught the nation of Israel well, his sons did not.

The elders of Israel no longer wanted God to rule over them, but they desired a man. “And the Lord said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them.” (8:7) How sad!

And yet, as we share Christ with the unsaved and they reject Him, they have not rejected us, but have rejected Jesus. As believers in Christ, we are commanded to “Go”. “And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” (Mark 16:15) It is our duty to tell others about Christ. It is the Holy Spirit’s work to bring them to Christ. It is not our job to win souls. We are to proclaim the Good News of Jesus death, burial, and resurrection.

Our King is Jesus Christ.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

 

 

 

 

Good morning,

Does evil reside in the house of God? Can spiritual leaders allow wickedness to run rampant within their congregations? Yes. Eli and his 2 sons demonstrate how this can happen.

Eli was the High Priest and Judge of Israel. His sons, Hophni and Phinehas, were Priests of the Lord. “Now the sons of Eli were sons of Belial; they knew not the Lord.” (2:12) They did wicked things. “Now Eli was very old, and heard all that his sons did unto all Israel; and how they lay with the women that assembled at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation. ²³ And he said unto them, Why do ye such things? for I hear of your evil dealings by all this people.²⁴ Nay, my sons; for it is no good report that I hear: ye make the Lord’s people to transgress.” (2:22-24)

So how long did Eli allow this wickedness to continue? Eli was a judge for 40 years. Eli failed to hold his sons accountable to the commandments of God written in the Mosaic Law. Then his sons failed to teach Israel the Mosaic Law and caused Israel to transgress. Eli was 98 at this point. His sons were probably in their mid 70’s.

God judges Eli and his sons. On the same day Hophni and Phineas are killed in a battle with the Philistines. Eli when he heard the news fell and broke his neck and died. “And the ark of God was taken; and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were slain.” (4:11) “And the messenger answered and said, Israel is fled before the Philistines, and there hath been also a great slaughter among the people, and thy two sons also, Hophni and Phinehas, are dead, and the ark of God is taken.¹⁸ And it came to pass, when he made mention of the ark of God, that he fell from off the seat backward by the side of the gate, and his neck brake, and he died: for he was an old man, and heavy. And he had judged Israel forty years.” (4:17-18)

Eli failed to “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” (Proverbs 22:6) His sons were not taught, failed to learn, or were not held accountable to God’s word.

Church leaders must know and live the Bible. They must be held accountable to God’s truth and commandments. They must live their lives in accordance with the Word of God, the Bible.

This is true of us as believers in Christ.

What a sad testimony about a Priest of Israel, “Now the sons of Eli were sons of Belial; they knew not the Lord.”

Are you a saint or a sinner? Are you saved or lost? Are you serving the Lord or are you serving Satan?

If you need to know how to get saved, call me.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

 

Good morning,

How do we react when God answers our prayers?

First Samuel 1-2 introduces us to Hannah. Hannah was the wife of Elkanah. She was unable to have children. Each year she and her husband would go to Shiloh, where the Tabernacle was located, to worship the Lord. Hannah is earnestly praying for a child. She prayed that if God would give her a man child, she would give him to the Lord all the days of his life.

“And she vowed a vow, and said, O Lord of hosts, if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thine handmaid, and remember me, and not forget thine handmaid, but wilt give unto thine handmaid a man child, then I will give him unto the Lord all the days of his life, and there shall no razor come upon his head.” (1 Samuel 1:11)

Numbers 6:2-8 speaks of the Nazarite vow. This is the vow Hannah is referring to.

“Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When either man or woman shall separate themselves to vow a vow of a Nazarite, to separate themselves unto the Lord:³ He shall separate himself from wine and strong drink, and shall drink no vinegar of wine, or vinegar of strong drink, neither shall he drink any liquor of grapes, nor eat moist grapes, or dried.⁴ All the days of his separation shall he eat nothing that is made of the vine tree, from the kernels even to the husk.⁵ All the days of the vow of his separation there shall no razor come upon his head: until the days be fulfilled, in the which he separateth himself unto the Lord, he shall be holy, and shall let the locks of the hair of his head grow.⁶ All the days that he separateth himself unto the Lord he shall come at no dead body.⁷ He shall not make himself unclean for his father, or for his mother, for his brother, or for his sister, when they die: because the consecration of his God is upon his head.⁸ All the days of his separation he is holy unto the Lord.”

Elkanah and Hannah return home. Then, 1 Samuel 1:19-20 says,

“And they rose up in the morning early, and worshipped before the Lord, and returned, and came to their house to Ramah: and Elkanah knew Hannah his wife; and the Lord remembered her.²⁰ Wherefore it came to pass, when the time was come about after Hannah had conceived, that she bare a son, and called his name Samuel, saying, Because I have asked him of the Lord.”

God answered Hannah’s prayer. Hannah weans the baby and presents him to Eli, the High Priest.

“And she said, Oh my lord, as thy soul liveth, my lord, I am the woman that stood by thee here, praying unto the Lord.²⁷ For this child I prayed; and the Lord hath given me my petition which I asked of him:²⁸ Therefore also I have lent him to the Lord; as long as he liveth he shall be lent to the Lord. And he worshipped the Lord there.” (1 Samuel 1:26-28)

Chapter 2 records Hannah’s prayer of thanksgiving to the Lord. The prayer consists of verses 1-10. Verses 1-3 say,

“And Hannah prayed, and said, My heart rejoiceth in the Lord, mine horn is exalted in the Lord: my mouth is enlarged over mine enemies; because I rejoice in thy salvation. ² There is none holy as the Lord: for there is none beside thee: neither is there any rock like our God.³ Talk no more so exceeding proudly; let not arrogancy come out of your mouth: for the Lord is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed.”

Her reaction to God’s answered prayer was rejoicing, exaltation, praise, worship, and an acknowledgement of God’s power and knowledge.

When God answers our prayers, whether they be big or small, do we acknowledge them like Hannah did? We should.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

 

 

 

 

Good morning,

God watches over us every day, 24/7. How do I know that? Psalm 121.

“I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.² My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth.³ He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber. ⁴ Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep. ⁵ The Lord is thy keeper: the Lord is thy shade upon thy right hand. ⁶ The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night.⁷ The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul.⁸ The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.”

There is no situation that God does not know about. Trusting in the Lord is the safest place to be. The Bible shows us what is important to God.

This Psalm is a tremendous encouragement to me. I hope it is to you also.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

Meditate on Psalms 119:9-16. Then ask God how to make these verses real in your life.

 Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.¹⁰ With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments.¹¹ Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.¹² Blessed art thou, O Lord: teach me thy statutes.¹³ With my lips have I declared all the judgments of thy mouth.¹⁴ I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as much as in all riches.¹⁵ I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways.¹⁶ I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001