Archives for September 2026

Good morning,

The Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur begins on Sunday evening, 20 September 2026, at sunset. The day of atonement (Leviticus 16) is the most holy day on the Jewish calendar. Today we will see why.

YOM KIPPUR

THE DAY OF ATONEMENT

29 And this shall be a statute for ever unto you: that in the seventh month, on the tenth day of the month, ye shall afflict your souls, and do no work at all, whether it be one of your own country, or a stranger that sojourneth among you: 30 For on that day shall the priest make an atonement for you, to cleanse you, that ye may be clean from all your sins before the Lord. 31 It shall be a sabbath of rest unto you, and ye shall afflict your souls, by a statute for ever. 32 And the priest, whom he shall anoint, and whom he shall consecrate to minister in the priest’s office in his father’s stead, shall make the atonement, and shall put on the linen clothes, even the holy garments: 33 And he shall make an atonement for the holy sanctuary, and he shall make an atonement for the tabernacle of the congregation, and for the altar, and he shall make an atonement for the priests, and for all the people of the congregation. 34 And this shall be an everlasting statute unto you, to make an atonement for the children of Israel for all their sins once a year. And he did as the Lord commanded Moses. (Leviticus 16:29-34, also reference Leviticus 23:27-32 and Numbers 29:7-11) 

“On the day of Atonement we are to solemnly afflict our souls; that is, to humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God, to submit ourselves to Him, and His ways, and His commandments. We have just gone through the 40 days of teshuvah, or repentance, in preparation for this day. It is to examine ourselves, to see if there be any wicked way in us, so that we may repent of it and depart from it” (Perspective, “on afflicting the soul”, 20 September 2018)

INTRODUCTION

Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, is the most solemn day in the Jewish calendar. The Bible prescribes Yom Kippur as a day of affliction (Lev 16; 23:26-32). In the ancient world, the High Priest woke up early, donned his priestly garments, and sacrificed a bull for both himself and his family. He then cast lots over two goats, choosing one for the Lord and designating the other as the goat to remove sin. Only on this day did the High Priest enter into the Holy of Holies in the Temple to offer incense and sprinkle blood on the Ark of the Covenant. Before concluding the sacrifices by burning both the bull and the goat, the High Priest placed blood from the Lord’s goat onto the second goat. He then cast the second goat into the wilderness, thus symbolically removing Israel’s sin.

In modern observance, Yom Kippur involves a fast from both food and drink. Many spend the entire day praying in the synagogue. During the Ten Days of Awe preceding Yom Kippur, many Jewish people give tzedakah (charity) which some consider a replacement for the animal sacrifice. A small segment of the Orthodox Jewish community practices kapparot, a ceremony in which a person waves a chicken over his head, before killing the chicken as a symbolic transfer of sin. According to tradition, the Book of Life and the Book of the Dead are closed on Yom Kippur, and the fates of those within the books are sealed for the coming year.

Followers of Jesus the Messiah confidently look forward to eternal life, because our names are written in the Book of Life. When Jesus died, the veil of the Holy of Holies ripped in two, symbolically breaking a barrier between humans and the presence of God. Previously, only the High Priest had access to this room, and he only entered it once a year on Yom Kippur (Matt. 27:51). However, Jesus’ death gives believers access to God, because He entered into the Heavenly Holy of Holies to offer His blood for our redemption (Heb 9:11-12). Unlike the Israelites’ annual sacrifices on Yom Kippur, Jesus’ one sacrifice continues to provide atonement to this day. Yom Kippur, for followers of Jesus, reminds us of the certainty of our redemption through the blood of our Messiah and High Priest, Jesus.

Yom Kippur also reminds us of the ultimate salvation of the Jewish people. The prophet Zechariah speaks of a day when the nation of Israel will recognize her Messiah and “they will mourn for Him as one mourns for his only son” (Zech. 12:10). When the Jewish people recognize Messiah, as Paul writes, “All Israel will be saved” (Rom. 11:26). The Day of Atonement thus reminds us of our own salvation and also looks forward to the salvation of Israel.

ELEMENTS OF YOM KIPPUR

1) Afflicting your soul

The word in Hebrew is “anah” and means “to afflict, oppress, humble, be afflicted, be bowed down”.  This occurs through fasting.  God requires a fast to be humbled and afflicted on the Day of Atonement.

a) Prayer

b) Confession

c) Repentance

d) Renewal

The picture is of a lost sinner, searching for the Messiah, Jesus, finding Him, confessing and repenting their sin before Him.

2) Sabbath

No work is to be done on this day. There was a penalty for working on this day. “And whatsoever soul it be that doeth any work in that same day, the same soul will I destroy from among his people.” (Leviticus 23:30) The day was to be completely dedicated to God.

This is a picture of the rest we have in the Messiah.

3) Atonement

“To cover, purge, make reconciliation”.  The atonement was a reconciliation of the children of Israel to their God. This happened through the blood sacrifice of the bullock and goat. The scapegoat was a picture of the sins of Israel being taken by the scapegoat.

This pictures what Jesus did on the cross. He paid the sin debt for all mankind through his blood sacrifice on the cross at Calvary. No more need for animal sacrifices. 

CONCLUSION

Yom Kippur is:

• A day of reflection
• A day of rest
• A day of fasting
• A day of renewal
• A day of confession of sin
• A day of repentance of sin
• A day of reconciliation between man and God
• A day of atonement
• A day of salvation

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Good morning,

Peter’s fish!
Charles Spurgeon, “All Joy in All Trials“

(Be sure to LISTEN to the Audio, as you READ the text below.)

James 1:2-4, “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But patience must do its complete work, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing.“

“Various trials.” The trials and temptations of each Christian, are distinct from those of every other Christian. That which would most severely test me, would perhaps be no trial to you; and that temptation which tries you, might be no temptation to me. We are not to try ourselves, nor to desire other men’s trials; it will be well if we endure those trials which the Lord Himself appoints for us, for they are wisely chosen.

God’s rod of affliction is not a toy to play with. His furnace of affliction, believe me, is no mere place of extra warmth to which you may soon accustom yourself. When God puts His redeemed children into His furnace, He takes care that we shall not stay there too little, nor be burned up; but He intends that we should be purified.

Trials are like a fire; they burn up nothing in us but the dross, and they make the gold all the purer.

The spiritual benefit that I have received from my sorrows, and pains, and griefs is altogether incalculable. What blessings I would have missed, but for my trials and afflictions! I owe more than I can tell, to God’s hammer and anvil, His fire and furnace. The greatest blessings that God has given us, have come to us through the instrumentality of our trials. There is no teacher like sanctified affliction. It is a great schoolmaster, and we learn much more under its rod, than we do anywhere else.                              Affliction is the stone which our Lord Jesus throws at the brow of our giant pride; and patience is the sword which cuts off its head.

As Peter’s fish had money in its mouth, so sanctified trials have spiritual riches for those who endure them patiently.

Tried Christians are the most grateful people. I have known what it is to praise God for the power to move one leg in bed. It may not seem much to you, but it was a great blessing to me.

Those Christians who are heavily afflicted, often come to thank God for everything. I am sure that woman who only had a piece of bread and a cup of water for her meal, must have been a tried woman, or she would not have exhibited so much gratitude: “What! All this, and Jesus too!” Yes, greatly troubled Christians often become the most grateful of men, and that is no small thing.

Sanctified trials also ripen our graces. No flower of grace ever blossomed in this wretched climate, without being tried with frost or blight! A certain amount of trouble appears to be needful to Christians, to create a certain sugar of graciousness in them, so that they may contain the rich, ripe juice of a gracious character.

Ah, that sick chamber ripened the grace of sympathy. That loss, that cross, that bereavement–these softened the natural roughness, and made the man meek and humble, like his Savior.

Those Christians who are heavily afflicted, often become unworldly men. They have had too much trouble to think that they can ever build their nest in this dark and tangled valley of tears. There are too many thorns in their nest, for them to reckon that this poor world can be their eternal home. These birds of paradise take to their wings, and are ready to fly away to the land of unfading flowers!

“We also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that:
  suffering produces perseverance;
  perseverance, character;
  and character, hope!” Romans 5:3-4

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Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Good morning,

There is no better school for a Christian!

Charles Spurgeon

(Be sure to LISTEN to the Audio, as you READ the text below.)

Job 1:21, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will return.
The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away. Blessed be the name of the LORD!”

That is the way to be at peace with God–to be thankful at all times.
Thank God for your mercies, and for your miseries.
Thank Him for your gains, and for your losses.
Thank Him for your enjoyments and pleasures, and also for your aches and pains.
Thank Him for every hard thing that comes from Him, for there is as much love in the hard things as in the pleasant things. God is as kind when He uses His chastening rod, as when He gives a kiss.

I owe more than I can tell to . .
  God’s hammer and the anvil,
  His fire and flood,
  His pruning knife and the threshing floor.

The Lord’s dealings with me have been full of mercy, though they have often been painful.
I have learned more from my trials, than from my prosperity.
I have been better taught by the thorn, than by the lily.
I have learned to kiss the wave that throws me against the Rock of Ages.

There is no better school for a Christian, than that of sorrow and trial. The greatest blessing that God can give us is not a comfortable life, but a cross. It is the cross that makes us like our Lord Jesus. The furnace of affliction is the place where the Lord purifies His people. We may thank God for the fire, because it separates the precious from the vile.

Affliction is the torch which God uses to show us the vanity of earth, and the preciousness of Heaven. We are often better for our trials. We would not have known the sweetness of His promises, if we had not tasted the bitterness of affliction. We may be grateful for our afflictions, for they have been the means of driving us to prayer, and bringing us nearer to Jesus.

We cannot always understand God’s purposes in affliction, but we may always trust Him, for we know that He causes all things to work together for good to His redeemed children.

“Because of the LORD’s faithful love we do not perish, for His mercies never end.
They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness!” Lamentations 3:22-23

What a mercy to be out of the hospital!

What a mercy to have the use of one’s limbs and mind!

What a mercy to be out of prison!

What a mercy to be out of Hell!

Surely He has not dealt with us after our sins!

Job 2:10, “Should we accept only good from God, and not adversity?”

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Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Good morning,

Society’s View of HELL
Various authors

(Be sure to LISTEN to the Audio, as you READ the text below.)

Just as our culture has softened sin, reshaped God, redefined salvation, and sentimentalized Heaven–it has almost entirely erased the biblical doctrine of Hell. In popular culture, Hell is often treated as a joke, a metaphor, or a cartoonish place ruled by a red-suited devil with a pitchfork. In ordinary conversation, it is frequently used as a profanity, rather than regarded as a terrifying reality. Even many who profess Christianity, are uncomfortable speaking about Hell.

The prevailing cultural assumption is simple: A loving God would never send anyone to Hell. But that assumption begins with a god of our own imagination, rather than the God of Scripture. The Bible does not conceal Hell, minimize it, or speak of it merely as an ancient metaphor. Jesus Himself spoke repeatedly and solemnly about eternal judgment. He warned of “eternal fire” (Matthew 18:18), and described Hell as a place of “weeping and gnashing of teeth” (Matthew 8:12). The One who spoke most tenderly about God’s mercy, also spoke most plainly about the dreadful Hell which awaits the lost.

A culture that refuses to acknowledge the seriousness of sin, will naturally reject the seriousness of judgment. Yet Scripture declares that God “will by no means leave the guilty unpunished” (Exodus 34:7). Every sin is ultimately an offense against the infinite holiness of our Creator, and no sinner will escape the righteous judgment of God in Hell, by simply refusing to believe that it exists.

The horror of Hell, makes the wonder of salvation immeasurably greater. At the cross, Jesus endured the judgment that His people deserved, so that those who trust in Him might never face condemnation.

The world says, “There is no Hell.” Scripture says, “It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God!” and “our God is a consuming fire!” (Hebrews 10:31, 12:29). The world says, “Everyone will be fine in the end.” Jesus says that the wicked shall be thrown into the fiery furnace, where there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth! (Matthew 13:42, 50).

Hell is evidence that God is holy, righteous, and just! Hell is not a doctrine to mock, dismiss, or use merely to frighten others. It is a solemn warning from the God of truth. Therefore, the proper response is not denial, but repentance; not presumption, but faith; not delay, but fleeing to Jesus for salvation. The reality of Hell, should drive us to the mercy of the cross!

Hell is not a place where God is absent, but where His holy presence is revealed in righteous judgment. The God whom sinners refused to honor in this life, does not cease to be their Judge in eternity. There . . .
  His justice will be perfectly manifested,
  His holiness fully vindicated,
and every sin equitably punished.

Hell is therefore not the absence of God, but the dreadful and inescapable presence of the holy God before whom no sinner can finally hide!

“I will show you whom you should fear: Fear Him who, after the killing of the body, has power to throw you into Hell. Yes, I tell you, fear Him!” (Luke 12:5) xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx                                     Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Good morning,

Society’s View of HEAVEN
(Be sure to LISTEN to the Audio, as you READ the text below.)

1 John 3:2, “Beloved, we are now children of God, and what we will be has not yet been revealed. We know that when Christ appears, we will be like Him, for we will see Him as He is!“

Philippians 1:23, “I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far!“

Just as our culture has distorted its understanding of sin, God, and salvation–it has also created a deeply sentimental and superficial view of Heaven. To many, Heaven is little more than a comforting idea–a beautiful place where everyone goes after death, regardless of how they lived or what they believed. Heaven is imagined as an eternal vacation, a place to have fun with old friends, where earthly pleasures continue forever, and where there is neither judgment nor accountability. Heaven has become less the dwelling place of the holy God, and more a reflection of what sinful humanity wishes the afterlife to be.

But Scripture presents Heaven as something infinitely more glorious–and infinitely more serious. Heaven is not about perfect weather, reunited families, good food, hobbies, or freedom from earthly troubles. Heaven is all about loving, enjoying and worshipping Jesus! It is the place where His glory is perfectly revealed, where His redeemed people behold Him, dwell in His presence forever; and become like Him! The supreme joy of Heaven is not merely enjoying nice things, but being with Jesus!

Our culture also struggles with the biblical truth that Heaven is not the universal destination of mankind. Jesus spoke of two roads and two destinies: one broad road leading to destruction; and one narrow road leading to life (Matthew 7:13–14). Scripture never teaches that sincerity, morality, religious affiliation, or simply being a “good person” secures entrance into Heaven. The entrance is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone.

This truth is uncomfortable in a world that has rejected the reality of sin and judgment. If everyone automatically goes to Heaven then, repentance is unnecessary, the cross is unnecessary, and Christ’s sacrificial death becomes inexplicable. But the gospel tells us that Heaven is not something sinners deserve–it is a gift of divine grace, purchased by the sin-atoning death of Jesus.

And what a destination He has prepared for all who love Him! There will be no sin, death, mourning, crying, or pain (Revelation 21:4). There will be perfect righteousness, perfect worship, perfect fellowship, and everlasting joy in the presence of our Lord Jesus.

“Day and night they never stop saying: “Holy, Holy, Holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!”

“And they sang a new song: “Worthy are You to take the scroll and open its seals, because You were slain, and by Your blood You purchased for God those from every tribe and tongue and people and nation.”

“In a loud voice they were saying: “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing!” And I heard every creature in Heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying: “To Him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power forever and ever!” Revelation 4:8; 5:9, 12-13 xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx                                  Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Rosh Hashanah

Head of the Year

Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, In the seventh month, in the first day of the month, shall ye have a sabbath, a memorial of blowing of trumpets, an holy convocation. Ye shall do no servile work therein: but ye shall offer an offering made by fire unto the Lord. (Leviticus 23:24-25)

On the evening of 11 September 2026, begins the observance of Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year.

In Hebrew, Rosh Hashanah means, literally, “head of the year” or “first of the year.” Rosh Hashanah is commonly known as the Jewish New Year. The Jewish New Year is a time to begin introspection, looking back at the mistakes  of the past year and planning the changes to make in the new year. The Bible refers to the holiday as Yom Ha-Zikkaron (the day of remembrance) or Yom Teruah (the day of the sounding of the shofar). The holiday is instituted in Leviticus 23:24-25.

“Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, In the seventh month, in the first day of the month, shall ye have a sabbath, a memorial of blowing of trumpets, an holy convocation. Ye shall do no servile work therein: but ye shall offer an offering made by fire unto the Lord.“

The shofar is a ram’s horn which is blown somewhat like a trumpet. One of the most important observances of this holiday is hearing the sounding of the shofar in the synagogue. No work is permitted on Rosh Hashanah. Religious services for the holiday focus on the concept of G-d’s sovereignty.

This would be a great time to wish all our Jewish friends a hearty Happy New Year. It would also be a good time to reflect on our own lives. Are we keeping short accounts with God? When He reveals sin in our lives, do we confess it (1 John 1:9) and move on serving God? What does the blowing of the trumpet mean to believers in Yeshua (Jesus)? (1 Thessalonians 4:16-18) What does it mean that God is sovereign?

What does the blowing of the trumpet mean to believers in Yeshua (Jesus)?

I referenced the Shofar and asked the question, “What does the blowing of the trumpet mean to believers in Yeshua (Jesus)?” The answer is it signals the Rapture of the Church. Verse 16 references the ”…trump of God…”

Paul explains the Rapture to the Church at Thessalonica.

Comfort in light of the Rapture (13-18) This is the most extended and most important description of the Rapture in all of Scripture.

The Hope of the Rapture (13)

¹³ But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.

The Confidence of the Rapture (14)

¹⁴ For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.

The Order of the Rapture (15)

¹⁵ For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.

 The Person of the Rapture (16a)

¹⁶ For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout,

The Resurrection of the Rapture (16b)

with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:

The Catching up of the Rapture (17a)

¹⁷ Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up

The Intimacy of the Rapture (17b)

 together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

The Encouragement of the Rapture (18)

¹⁸ Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

Ultimately the Rapture is a comfort to a needy people. We are to serve God till He returns. We are to watch expectantly and persistently.

God’s Sovereignty 

Rosh Hashanah’s religious services focus on the concept of G-d’s sovereignty. God does rule in the affairs of men. We will look at the sovereignty of God. 

GOD’S SOVEREIGNTY means that He is the Supreme Ruler who immanently and personally rules over all the affairs of the universe—and this includes our personal lives both as individuals and as a local body of believers. God’s sovereignty is a place of rest for the child of God.

A.  GOD REIGNEST OVERALL (1 CHRON 29:11-12) V12

Thine, O Lord is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O Lord, and thou art exalted as head above all.

12 Both riches and honor come of thee, and thou reignest over all; and in thine hand is power and might; and in thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all.

       B.  THE WORLD IS GOD’S (PSM 50:10-12)

For every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills.

11 I know all the fowls of the mountains: and the wild beasts of the field are mine.12 If I were hungry, I would not tell thee: for the world is mine, and the fulness thereof.

       C.  GOD CREATED (GEN 1:1) V1

In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. 

       D.  GOD CHOOSES ISRAEL DOES WHAT HE PLEASES (PSM 135:4-6)

For the Lord hath chosen Jacob unto himself, and Israel for his peculiar treasure.⁵ For I know that the Lord is great, and that our Lord is above all gods.⁶ Whatsoever the Lord pleased, that did he in heaven, and in earth, in the seas, and all deep places.

       E.  GOD IN CONTROL (1 SAM 2:6-9)

The Lord killeth, and maketh alive: he bringeth down to the grave, and bringeth up.⁷ The Lord maketh poor, and maketh rich: he bringeth low, and lifteth up.⁸ He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill, to set them among princes, and to make them inherit the throne of glory: for the pillars of the earth are the Lord’s, and he hath set the world upon them.⁹ He will keep the feet of his saints, and the wicked shall be silent in darkness; for by strength shall no man prevail.

       F.  GOD CONTROLS RULERS (PSM 75:6-7) V7

For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south.⁷ But God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another.

       G.  GOD DOES HIS PLEASURE (IS 46:9-10)

Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me,¹⁰ Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:

       H.  CAN NOT FLEE FROM GOD (PSM 139:7-10) V10

Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?⁸ If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.⁹ If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;¹⁰ Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.

       I.  GOD’S WORD WILL NOT RETURN VOID (IS 55:11)

So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.

J.  GOD REIGNS OVER DEATH (JOHN 5:21)

For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth whom he will.

       K.  GOD ‘S COUNSEL (EPH 1:11)

In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:

These verses show why God has the right to rule in our lives. Please look up the verses and see what they say. You might be surprised by what you find.

God has given each one of us a free will to make choices. He has given us His precepts in the Bible to guide us through this life. We choose to follow God by faith or rebel against God and serve Satan. Satan is the enemy of God. There are consequences for following or rebelling against God. God rules over both Godly believers and wicked unbelievers.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Good morning,

Society’s View of GOD

Various authors

(Be sure to LISTEN to the Audio, as you READ the text below.)

Psalm 115:3, Our God is in the heavens; He does whatever He pleases!“

Just as our culture has radically redefined sin, it has also radically redefined God. The God of Scripture has been replaced in the minds of most people, with a deity fashioned according to human preference–a god who exists to affirm, comfort, and accommodate us, but who makes no righteous demands upon us. The God of the Bible is infinitely different.

The God of Scripture is holy (Isaiah 6:3), yet society prefers a god who overlooks sin.

The God of Scripture is absolutely sovereign (Psalm 135:5-6), yet mankind prefers a god who exists to fulfill their wishes and desires. He reigns with absolute control over all that is, and ever will be. He governs the flight of every bird, and the rise of every king. There is no detail too small, no power too great. Our lives are not ruled by luck or fate, but by the omnipotent sovereignty of God.

The God of Scripture is truthful and unchanging (Numbers 23:19; Malachi 3:6), yet the modern mind wants a god who can change with the times.

The God of Scripture is righteous and just (Deuteronomy 32:4), yet our culture imagines a god who would never judge anyone.

Even God’s love has been distorted. Scripture declares that “God is love” (1 John 4:8), but biblical love is not sentimental approval. God’s love is holy, purposeful, and righteous. He does not love us by pretending our rebellion and sins are harmless. Rather, He commands us to repent, and graciously provides salvation from the very sins we are so eager to excuse.

A culture that denies sin, inevitably creates a god who cannot judge it. If there is no real sin, then there is no need for a holy Judge. If there is no judgment, then there is no need for a Savior. Thus the false god of our age ultimately leaves people comfortable–but condemned to eternal Hell.

The true God cannot be reshaped according to our preferences. He is the Sovereign Creator, Lawgiver, King and Judge. Yet astonishingly, this holy God is also merciful and gracious, “slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love” (Psalm 103:8). His holiness should cause us to tremble; His justice should cause us to repent; and His mercy should cause us to flee to Jesus for salvation.

The question is not whether we believe in God. The question is which God we believe in. The God of our imagination cannot save us. Only the God who has revealed Himself in Scripture can.

“The Lord is righteous in all His ways, and kind in all His works.” Psalm 145:17 xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Good morning,

These Canaanites!

(Thomas Reade, “Christian Meditations”)

(Be sure to LISTEN to the Audio, as you READ the text below.)

Joshua 17:12, “They could not drive out the Canaanites who continued to live there.”

Sin is ever abhorrent to a holy God, and distressing to a renewed mind. Can the believer, then, derive any benefit from the indwelling sin which he hates, and against which he hourly combats?

These Canaanites in the land, though grievous to the spirit of a true Israelite, as thorns are to his flesh–may be overruled by Infinite Love to teach him many lessons:

These Canaanites remind him of his former condition, of the rock from where he was hewn, and of the hole of the pit from where he was dug; of his natural depravity, wretchedness, and misery–so that he may loathe himself in his own sight.

These Canaanites constrain him to acknowledge the grace of God in saving him, when he had nothing to expect but fiery indignation and judgment without mercy.

These Canaanites make him distrust himself, through the constant experience of his own weakness in resisting the world, the flesh, and the devil.

These Canaanites bring into exercise the graces of faith and patience, courage and self-denial, watchfulness and prayer. The weapons of his warfare are not allowed to rust, having daily to fight the good fight of faith.

These Canaanites make him value the blood and righteousness of Christ, which rise in value in proportion to the knowledge which he acquires of his sinful self. Thus, the more he is convinced of his sins and imperfections, the more earnestly does he seek after a better righteousness to justify him in the sight of God–even the spotless righteousness of Jesus Christ.

These Canaanites make him long more ardently for the rest which remains for the people of God. For that pure world, where sorrow cannot enter, where indwelling sin will never harass the soul, but where he will forever behold his adorable Redeemer, and be made like Him, when he shall see Him as He is!

“They could not drive out the Canaanites who continued to live there.” Joshua 17:12

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Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Good morning,

Lamentations 5 is the final chapter of the book of Lamentations in the Bible. This chapter presents a plea to God from the people of Israel amidst their suffering after the fall of Jerusalem. The lament captures their desperate circumstances under foreign domination, the hardship they have undergone, and their yearning for God’s mercy and restoration. 

Lamentations 5 

A Prayer for Restoration 

Verses 1–3 – A Plea for Remembrance

Remember, O Lord, what is come upon us: consider, and behold our reproach.² Our inheritance is turned to strangers, our houses to aliens.³ We are orphans and fatherless, our mothers are as widows.

Lamentations 5:1 begins with a plea, Remember, O LORD, what has happened to us. Look and see our disgrace! This verse sets the tone for the chapter, highlighting the importance of bringing our suffering before God.

Jeremiah cries, “Remember, O LORD” as a representative voice for the shattered nation. He lists the losses—honor, land, and inheritance—and underscores that Judah feels like an orphaned, widowed community, exposed and unprotected. 

Verses 4–10 – National Hardships 

⁴ We have drunken our water for money; our wood is sold unto us.⁵ Our necks are under persecution: we labour, and have no rest.⁶ We have given the hand to the Egyptians, and to the Assyrians, to be satisfied with bread.⁷ Our fathers have sinned, and are not; and we have borne their iniquities.⁸ Servants have ruled over us: there is none that doth deliver us out of their hand.⁹ We gat our bread with the peril of our lives because of the sword of the wilderness.¹⁰ Our skin was black like an oven because of the terrible famine.

Daily realities are brutal: water and wood—once freely gathered—now cost hard currency; servitude and starvation hound the people. Foreign powers pursue them, and life has become a desperate race for survival, “their skin hot as an oven” from famine. 

Verses 11–16 – Social Humiliation and Loss of Joy 

¹¹ They ravished the women in Zion, and the maids in the cities of Judah.¹² Princes are hanged up by their hand: the faces of elders were not honoured.¹³ They took the young men to grind, and the children fell under the wood.¹⁴ The elders have ceased from the gate, the young men from their musick.¹⁵ The joy of our heart is ceased; our dance is turned into mourning.¹⁶ The crown is fallen from our head: woe unto us, that we have sinned!

The poet catalogs outrages against every social layer—women violated, princes hanged, elders disrespected, youths forced into labor. The song of celebration has fallen silent, the crown of glory lies in the dust, and sin is recognized as the cause. 

Verses 17–18 – Land in Ruins 

¹⁷ For this our heart is faint; for these things our eyes are dim.¹⁸ Because of the mountain of Zion, which is desolate, the foxes walk upon it.

Grief overwhelms because Mount Zion—once bustling with pilgrims—now hosts jackals. The land’s desolation mirrors the inner devastation of the people. 

Verses 19–22 – Appeal to God’s Reign and Mercy 

¹⁹ Thou, O Lord, remainest for ever; thy throne from generation to generation.²⁰ Wherefore dost thou forget us for ever, and forsake us so long time?²¹ Turn thou us unto thee, O Lord, and we shall be turned; renew our days as of old.²² But thou hast utterly rejected us; thou art very wroth against us.

The prayer ends by confessing God’s eternal kingship yet begs, “Restore us to Yourself.” The community fears being utterly rejected but still clings to hope in a God who reigns “from generation to generation.” 

Teaching Points

Consequences of Sin

The chapter vividly describes the dire consequences of Israel’s disobedience, such as in verse 7, Our fathers sinned and are no more, but we bear their punishment. It underscores the generational impact of sin.

Loss and Deprivation

Verses 2-18 detail the various losses experienced by the people, from land and homes to joy and dignity. This comprehensive list serves as a reminder of the cost of turning away from God.

Hope for Restoration

Despite the bleak circumstances, the chapter ends with a glimmer of hope. Verse 21 pleads, Restore us to Yourself, O LORD, that we may return; renew our days as of old. This reflects a deep yearning for reconciliation with God.

God’s Sovereignty Verse 19 affirms, You, O LORD, reign forever; Your throne endures from generation to generation. This acknowledgment of God’s eternal sovereignty provides a foundation for hope and trust.

Practical Applications

Bring Your Burdens to God

Just as the Israelites brought their lament to God, we too should not hesitate to bring our struggles and pain before Him in prayer.

Reflect on the Consequences of Sin

Use this chapter as a mirror to examine areas in your life where sin may be causing harm, and seek God’s forgiveness and guidance.

Seek Restoration

Actively pursue reconciliation with God and others, asking Him to renew and restore your life.

Trust in God’s Sovereignty

In times of trouble, remind yourself of God’s eternal reign and His ability to bring about change and restoration.

Lessons from Lamentations 5

1. Acknowledge Our Need for God
In Lamentations 5, we see a heartfelt cry for help, reminding us of our dependence on God. The chapter begins with a plea: “Remember, O LORD, what has happened to us. Look and see our disgrace!” (Lamentations 5:1). This teaches us that acknowledging our need for God is the first step toward healing and restoration. In our daily lives, we should never hesitate to bring our struggles to Him, trusting that He is attentive and compassionate.

2. The Power of Community Prayer
The collective voice in Lamentations 5 highlights the importance of community prayer. The people of Israel come together to seek God’s intervention, demonstrating that there is strength in unity. When we gather with others to pray, we not only uplift each other but also invite God’s presence into our midst. “For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them” (Matthew 18:20).

3. Remembering Past Blessings
Reflecting on past blessings can provide hope and perspective during difficult times. The Israelites recall their former glory and the blessings they once enjoyed, which fuels their desire for restoration. By remembering how God has worked in our lives before, we can find encouragement and assurance that He will act again. “I remember the days of old; I meditate on all Your works” (Psalm 143:5).

4. The Consequences of Sin
Lamentations 5 vividly illustrates the consequences of turning away from God. The chapter recounts the suffering and loss experienced due to the nation’s disobedience. This serves as a sobering reminder that sin has real and painful consequences. However, it also points us to the hope of redemption through repentance and faith in Christ. “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23).

5. The Importance of Repentance
Repentance is a central theme in Lamentations 5, as the people cry out for God’s mercy. True repentance involves a sincere turning away from sin and a heartfelt return to God. This chapter encourages us to examine our own lives and seek forgiveness, knowing that God is always ready to welcome us back with open arms. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins” (1 John 1:9).

6. God’s Unchanging Nature
Despite the chaos and suffering described in Lamentations 5, the chapter ends with a powerful affirmation of God’s eternal reign: “You, O LORD, reign forever; Your throne endures from generation to generation” (Lamentations 5:19). This reminds us that no matter how dire our circumstances may seem, God’s nature and His promises remain constant. He is our steadfast anchor in the storm.

7. Hope in Restoration
The plea for restoration in Lamentations 5 is a testament to the hope that God can and will restore what is broken. This hope is not just for the Israelites but for all who trust in Him. In our own lives, we can hold onto the promise that God is in the business of making all things new. “He who was seated on the throne said, ‘I am making everything new!'” (Revelation 21:5).

8. The Role of Lament in Faith
Lamentations 5 teaches us that lament is a valid and important part of our faith journey. Expressing our grief and struggles to God is not a sign of weakness but an act of trust. It shows that we believe He cares about our pain and is capable of bringing comfort and healing. “Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7).

9. The Call to Persevere
Even in the face of adversity, Lamentations 5 encourages perseverance. The chapter’s closing verses express a longing for God’s intervention, yet they also reflect a determination to wait on Him. In our own lives, we are called to persevere in faith, trusting that God’s timing is perfect. “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up” (Galatians 6:9).

10. The Assurance of God’s Faithfulness
Ultimately, Lamentations 5 reassures us of God’s faithfulness. Despite the people’s unfaithfulness, God remains committed to His covenant. This is a powerful reminder that our hope is not in our own ability to remain faithful, but in God’s unwavering faithfulness to us. “The LORD is faithful to all His promises and loving toward all He has made” (Psalm 145:13). Let this assurance inspire us to live boldly and confidently in His love.

Lamentations 5 closes without a neat resolution, inviting readers to carry the prayer forward. The tension presses believers to trust God’s unchanging reign while waiting for the full restoration He alone can give. 

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Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Good morning,

Strangers and pilgrims on the earth! (part 2)

Charles Spurgeon

(Be sure to LISTEN to the Audio, as you READ the text below.)

Hebrews 11:13, “They acknowledged that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.”

Beloved, you are only lodgers in this poor world for a very little while. Soon this earthly tent will be taken down, the pilgrim’s staff will be laid aside for the last time, and you will cross the Jordan into the better country: the heavenly homeland prepared for the people of God. Therefore travel light; do not load yourself with the cares and treasures that perish with the using. Your inheritance is incorruptible, undefiled, and unfading, reserved in Heaven for you who are kept by the power of God.

The true Christian cannot rest in this poor world. Its fashions, its applause, its riches are all empty to him. He is a pilgrim who has left the City of Destruction, and is bound for the Celestial City. We tarry but a little while in this valley of tears; eternity with Jesus is our eternal portion.

The Christian is a holy pilgrim, journeying through the wilderness of this world to the Celestial City. The manna of yesterday, will not feed you today. Fresh grace is needed for fresh journeys, and the Lord delights to supply it to His faithful pilgrims.

This poor world cannot fill an immortal soul. You may heap together its gold and silver, its honors and pleasures, and still the heart cries, ‘Vanity of vanities! All is vanity!’ The pilgrim has learned to say, ‘Whom have I in Heaven but You? There is none upon earth that I desire beside You.’ Jesus is his everlasting portion, and in Him he possesses all things.

Our life here is but a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. The Christian numbers his days and applies his heart unto wisdom. He knows that the longest life is short, when measured by eternity. Therefore he redeems the time, runs with patience the race set before him, and keeps his eyes fixed on Jesus!

The Christian’s path is the pilgrim’s path–narrow, uphill, and often lonely, yet it leads home. We are strangers here, and the world’s fashions, maxims, and joys are not ours. Pilgrims must expect rough roads, but the end of the journey will make amends for all!

“Get up, go away! For this is not your resting place, because it is defiled, it is ruined beyond all remedy!” Micah 2:10

“Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul!” 1 Peter 2:11

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Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com