Good morning, 

King David was a great man. He wrote many of the Psalms, was a leader of men, and God testified of him, “…I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfill my will.” But David had a darker side. This week we will be looking at the circumstances that led up to David writing Psalm 51.

We will look at David’s Sin Revealed (2 Samuel 12:1-13), David’s Repentance (Psalm 51:1-12), David’s Changed Focus (Psalm 51:13-19), and David’s teaching on sin.

David thought he got away with his cover-up. Uriah is dead, Bathsheba is now David’s wife, and they have a child on the way. All is well. 

God knew what David had done and now his sin was to be revealed. God sends Nathan to tell David a story. The story helps David realize his sin. Sin has consequences.  Verses 8-13 tell what happens to David and his family.

DAVID’S SIN REVEALED AND PUNISHED

2 Samuel 12:1-13

Story of the rich man and the lamb (1-6)

And the Lord sent Nathan unto David. And he came unto him, and said unto him, There were two men in one city; the one rich, and the other poor.

² The rich man had exceeding many flocks and herds: ³ But the poor man had nothing, save one little ewe lamb, which he had bought and nourished up: and it grew up together with him, and with his children; it did eat of his own meat, and drank of his own cup, and lay in his bosom, and was unto him as a daughter. ⁴ And there came a traveler unto the rich man, and he spared to take of his own flock and of his own herd, to dress for the wayfaring man that was come unto him; but took the poor man’s lamb, and dressed it for the man that was come to him. ⁵And David’s anger was greatly kindled against the man; and he said to Nathan, As the Lord liveth, the man that hath done this thing shall surely die: ⁶ And he shall restore the lamb fourfold, because he did this thing, and because he had no pity.”

Nathan declares, “…Thou art the man…” (7)

⁷And Nathan said to David, Thou art the man. Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, I anointed thee king over Israel, and I delivered thee out of the hand of Saul;

Punishment (8-13)

⁸ And I gave thee thy master’s house, and thy master’s wives into thy bosom, and gave thee the house of Israel and of Judah; and if that had been too little, I would moreover have given unto thee such and such things. ⁹ Wherefore hast thou despised the commandment of the Lord, to do evil in his sight? thou hast killed Uriah the Hittite with the sword, and hast taken his wife to be thy wife, and hast slain him with the sword of the children of Ammon. ¹⁰ Now therefore the sword shall never depart from thine house; because thou hast despised me, and hast taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be thy wife. ¹¹ Thus saith the Lord, Behold, I will raise up evil against thee out of thine own house, and I will take thy wives before thine eyes, and give them unto thy neighbor, and he shall lie with thy wives in the sight of this sun. ¹² For thou didst it secretly: but I will do this thing before all Israel, and before the sun. ¹³ And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against the Lord. And Nathan said unto David, The Lord also hath put away thy sin; thou shalt not die.

If you believe that there are no consequences to sin, let’s look at what happened to David. First, the illegitimate child dies (12:18). Second, his daughter Tamar was raped (13:11-14). Third, his son Amnon would be murdered (13:28). Fourth, his son Absalom would rebel and lie with his father’s wives in public (16:22) and would be killed in the rebellion.

The penalty for the actions of David was DEATH. God shows forth His mercy by not requiring David’s life. Then God allows David to continue to reign as King. 

That means that if we are willing to confess our sins, repent, God is NOT through using us. He still has a mission for us. Our service for God is never finished till we are dead. God uses all yielded vessels for His glory.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

King David was a great man. He wrote many of the Psalms, was a leader of men, and God testified of him, “…I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfill my will.” But David had a darker side. This week we will be looking at the circumstances that led up to David writing Psalm 51.

We will look at David’s Sin (2 Samuel 11:1-27), David’s Sin Revealed (2 Samuel 12:1-13), David’s Repentance (Psalm 51:1-12), David’s Changed Focus (Psalm 51:13-19), and David’s teaching concerning sin (Psalm 32:1-11).

What happened to David can happen to any of us. We must be aware and vigilant to resist the Devil’s attacks.

DAVID’S SIN (2 Samuel 11:1-27)

Lust of the eyes (1-2)

“…from the roof he saw a woman washing herself;…”

Lust of the flesh, adultery (3-5)

“And David sent messengers, and took her; and she came in unto him, and he lay with her; for she was purified from her uncleanness: and she returned unto her house.   And the woman conceived, and sent and told David, and said, I am with child.” (4-5)

The cover-up Uriah the righteous man (6-13)

“And Uriah said unto David, The ark, and Israel, and Judah, abide in tents; and my lord Joab, and the servants of my lord, are encamped in the open fields; shall I then go into mine house, to eat and to drink, and to lie with my wife? as thou livest, and as thy soul liveth, I will not do this thing.” (11)

The death of Uriah (14-17)

“And the men of the city went out, and fought with Joab: and there fell some of the people of the servants of David; and Uriah the Hittite died also.” (17)

Report to David (18-25)

Bathsheba mourns (26)

David takes Bathsheba as his wife (27)

“And when the mourning was past, David sent and fetched her to his house, and she became his wife, and bare him a son. But the thing that David had done displeased the Lord.”

David’s problem began when he failed to be where God wanted him. He was the King and should have been with his men at the battle. If he was there, NONE OF THIS WOULD HAVE HAPPENED.

What happens next began in the Garden of Eden and we are susceptible to Satan’s temptation today. We see something, covet it, and take it. Then we must cover our tracks. However, God sees everything. Proverbs 15:3 states, “The eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.” So we will be found out. And as we will see later in the week, sin has consequences.

CAUTION:

If you are supposed to be at a particular place, for the service of God, be there. Satan wants to distract you from anything to do with God. When he does then he can tempt you to do evil.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

We all like to hear good news. This devotion has much good news in it. Read and be encouraged.

Good News for Pilgrims!

(Don Fortner)

Here is good news for weary, heavy-hearted pilgrims from our homeland in Heaven. Do you have heartaches and troubles too numerous to count? It will do you good to receive some good news from home.

The Lord our God is still on His throne.

Our Savior is still in Heaven, preparing a place for you, representing you, interceding for you.

There are many in Heaven just like you and me already. There is . . .
  a fallen David there,
  a doubting Thomas there,
  an angry Moses there,
  a feeble Philip there,
  an impetuous Peter there,
  and a righteous Lot there.
All are there by grace alone, through the merits of Christ’s blood and righteousness.

And, soon, the Lord Jesus Christ will come again to take you there!

John 14:1-3, “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.” 
   ~  ~  ~  ~

Rejoice that soon we will be in the presence of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. What a glorious day that will be.

Are you ready?

“As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:¹¹ There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.” (Romans 3:10-11)

“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;” (Romans 3:23)

“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” (John 14:6)

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:⁹Not of works, lest any man should boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9)

“But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:” (John 1:12)

The good news of the gospel is this:

“For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;⁴ And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:⁵ And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: ⁶ After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. ⁷ After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. ⁸ And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time.” (1 Corinthians 15:3-8)

Accept Jesus Christ by faith today!

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

Patience is not an attribute common among men and women in today’s culture. James Smith tells us why it is important to be patient.

Patient waiting

(James Smith, “The Believer’s Companion in Seasons of Affliction and Trouble” 1842)

“But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.” Romans 8:25

Patience supposes trials, difficulties, and burdens–it is a grace of which we have much need on earth.

The objects of our hope are . . .
  all future,
  all good, and
  all promised.

There is not an evil, but we hope to be one day rid of!
There is not a blessing, but we hope one day to enjoy it!

This present world is a land of hope.
Heaven is a land of fruition.

The highest object of our hope is perfect holiness, exact conformity to the Lord Jesus Christ–to be brought to such a state, that we shall glorify our God in every desire, thought, feeling, and action.

We hope for the period when we shall say:
farewell sickness–welcome perpetual health;
farewell sorrow–welcome everlasting joy;
farewell sin–welcome perfect purity;
farewell ignorance–welcome perfect knowledge;
farewell desertion–welcome the eternal presence of my God;
farewell death–welcome everlasting life!

Do we hope for these things? Then let us patiently wait for them.

The blessings we expect are worth waiting for–they are laid up for us in Heaven!
Faith believes the message respecting them,
hope longs to be put in possession,
love incites to grateful acknowledgments and holy walking,
ardent desire wants immediate enjoyment–
but patience is willing to wait. Her language is, “All the days of my appointed time I will wait, until my change comes.”

Seasons of trouble seem long; but what are the longest seasons compared with eternity–an eternity of perfect blessedness?

Patient waiting insures an enlarged experience of Jehovah’s love and goodness. Your present journey will lead you to a place of repose, “where the wicked cease from troubling, and the weary are at rest.” Your troubles will end well–everlastingly well!
   ~  ~  ~  ~

Are we willing to patiently wait?

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

Daniel Rowlands is challenging us to see affliction as profitable to us.

Even affliction is very useful and profitable to the godly!

(Daniel Rowlands)

Romans 8:28, “We know that God causes ALL things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.”

Make no exception, when Paul makes none. ALL! Remember Paul excepts nothing.

Give glory to God, and resolve with Job, “Though He slays me–yet will I trust in Him.”

The Almighty may seem for a season to be your enemy, in order that he may become your eternal friend.

Oh! Believers, after all your tribulation and anguish, you must conclude with David, “It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I might learn Your statutes.”

Under all your disquietudes you must exclaim, “O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments, and His ways past finding out!”

Even affliction is very useful and profitable to the godly!

The prodigal son had no thought of returning to his father’s house until he had been humbled by adversity.

Hagar was haughty under Abraham’s roof, and despised her mistress; but in the wilderness she was meek and lowly.

Jonah sleeps on board ship; but in the whale’s belly he watches and prays.

Manasseh lived as a libertine at Jerusalem, and committed the most enormous crimes; but when he was bound in chains in the prison at Babylon his heart was turned to seek the Lord his God.

Bodily pain and disease have been instrumental in rousing many to seek Christ, when those who were in good health have given themselves no concern about Him.

The ground which is not rent and torn with the plough, bears nothing but thistles and thorns.

The vines will run wild in process of time, if they are not pruned and trimmed. So would our wild hearts be overrun with filthy, poisonous weeds–if the true Vine-dresser did not often check their growth by crosses and sanctified troubles.

See, therefore, that all the paths of the Lord are mercy, and that God causes ALL things to work together for good to those who love Him.
   ~  ~  ~  ~

Affliction is not bad if it leads to Jesus.

We need to see our circumstances (afflictions) in light of eternity and remember that God is in charge of everything.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

This devotional is longer than most.

It will challenge us in how we see God, our service, and commitment.

Grimshaw’s Covenant with God, December 1752

(J.C. Ryle, William Grimshaw)

Eternal and unchangeable Jehovah! Great Creator of Heaven and earth, and adorable Lord of angels and men! I desire with the deepest humiliation and abasement of soul to fall down at this time in Your solemn presence, and earnestly pray that You will penetrate my heart with a suitable sense of Your unutterable and inconceivable glories.

To You I now come, invited by Your love, and trusting Jesus’ righteousness alone, laying myself at Your feet with shame and confusion of face; and smiting on my bosom, saying with the publican, God be merciful to me a sinner!

Glory be to You, O my Triune God! I desire and resolve to be wholly and forever Yours! Blessed God, I most solemnly surrender myself unto You. Hear, O Heaven, and give ear, O earth! I avow this day, the Lord to be my God, my Father, my Savior, and my portion forever! I am one of His covenant children forever. Record, O eternal Lord, in Your book of remembrance, that henceforth I am Yours forever. From this day I solemnly renounce all former lords–the world, the flesh, and the devil–in Your name. This day I give up myself to You, a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable unto You; which I know is my reasonable service.

To You I consecrate all my worldly possessions. In your service I desire and purpose to spend all my time, desiring You to teach me to spend every moment of it to Your glory and the setting forth of Your praise, in every station and relation of life I am now or may hereafter be in.

Nor do I only consecrate all that I have to your service, but I also most humbly resign and submit to Your holy and sovereign will all that I am. I leave, O Lord, to Your management and direction–all that I possess and all that I wish. I set my every enjoyment and interest before You to be disposed of as You please. Continue or remove what You have given me. Bestow or refuse what I imagine I need–as You see best. And though I dare not say that I will never repine–yet I hope I may say that I will labor not only to submit, but to cheerfully acquiesce to Your sovereign providence; not only to bear Your heaviest afflictions on me, but to consent to them and praise You for them; contentedly resolving, in all Your appointments, my will into Yours; esteeming myself as nothing–and You, O God, as the great Eternal All, whose word shall determine, and whose power shall order all things in the world.

Dispose my affairs, O God, in a manner which will be wholly subservient to Your glory and my own true happiness. And when I have done, borne, and endured Your will upon earth–call me home at whatever time and in whatever manner You please.

Grimshaw’s last words were, “Here goes an unprofitable servant!“
   ~  ~  ~  ~

What can we learn from this covenant with God?

We see that Grimshaw begins his paragraphs with praise to God. Then humbles himself before God. Totally commits himself to the service of God. Requests God to remove anything that would get in the way of his service to the Lord.

What did you see?

More importantly, how has the Holy Spirit moved us in our commitment to the Lord?

This is a devotional that needs more than one reading. Each paragraph has a new aspect of our commitment to dwell on.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

This devotional, by Charles Spurgeon, is a timely reminder that God upholds us. Without God’s help, we would fall.

Divine upholding!

(Charles Spurgeon, “Treasury of David“)

“You uphold me in my integrity.” Psalm 41:12

Our integrity and virtue are the result of the divine upholding. We would fall, and blunder and spoil all–if left to ourselves. The Lord should be praised every day, if we are preserved from gross sin. When others sin–they show us what we would do, but for preserving grace.

“He fell today–and I may fall tomorrow!” was the exclamation of a holy man, whenever he saw another falling into sin.

“When I said, ‘My foot is slipping!’ Your steadfast love, O LORD, held me up!” Psalm 94:18

“Hold me up, and I shall be safe!” Psalm 119:117

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am Your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10
   ~  ~  ~  ~

Thank God for His willingness to hold us up. In these days of uncertainty and trials, our God is making sure His children do not stumble.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

The death of George Floyd has caused our nation to revisit the discussion on social injustice. Protests over police brutality have been marked by peaceful assemblies and those bent on destruction. The result of the destruction has been looting, crimes against police, and murder. Innocent people, who were just coming back from the COVID-19 pandemic, have been affected.

Why? The root cause of this violence is sin. It is rebellion against God, His purposes, and His love for mankind. Neither side in this conflict seems to recognize God’s control.

However, if you think this is a new phenomenon, you would be wrong. God through the apostle Peter gave us a graphic picture of this two thousand years ago.

This week we will look at 2 Peter 2. We will begin with the root of the problem found in Genesis 3. Then we will see how the false teachers of Peter’s day caused rebellion and destruction. They too were trying to destroy those who worshipped God.

Their deceptions (2:18-22)

Deceptive in their methods (2:18)

“For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error.”

Deceptive in their promises (2:19)

“While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage.”

Whose later end is worse than the beginning (2:20-22)

“For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.²¹ For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.²² But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.”

There are legitimate reasons for protest. When injustices happen, people should speak up and share their concerns.

When the protesters begin to deceive the people, promise them things they can not provide, then they cause damage to the original message.

In 2 Peter 2, the false teachers had been exposed to Jesus. They understood His teachings. However, they thought they had a better way. They began deceiving the people and pulling them away from Jesus. The people evidently were not grounded in God’s word and were easy prey.

That is why believers in Christ must be well trained students of God’s word.

“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” (2 Timothy 2:15)

“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:¹⁷ That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

Summing up our study of 2 Peter 2. The root cause of our problems is sin. The false teachers are the agent of disruption. Jesus Christ is the solution to the sin problem. God’s word gives us alternatives to how we live life. The Bible is God’s instruction manual on how to live life.

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.¹⁷ And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.” (Colossians 3:16-17)

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 

Good morning,

The death of George Floyd has caused our nation to revisit the discussion on social injustice. Protests over police brutality have been marked by peaceful assemblies and those bent on destruction. The result of the destruction has been looting, crimes against police, and murder. Innocent people, who were just coming back from the COVID-19 pandemic, have been affected.

Why? The root cause of this violence is sin. It is rebellion against God, His purposes, and His love for mankind. Neither side in this conflict seems to recognize God’s control.

However, if you think this is a new phenomenon, you would be wrong. God through the apostle Peter gave us a graphic picture of this two thousand years ago.

This week we will look at 2 Peter 2. We will begin with the root of the problem found in Genesis 3. Then we will see how the false teachers of Peter’s day caused rebellion and destruction. They too were trying to destroy those who worshipped God.

Their depravity (2:10-17)

Reviling against authority (2:10-12)

“But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, self-willed, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities.¹¹ Whereas angels, which are greater in power and might, bring not railing accusation against them before the Lord.¹² But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption;”

Reveling with great pleasure (2:13-14)

“And shall receive the reward of unrighteousness, as they that count it pleasure to riot in the day time. Spots they are and blemishes, sporting themselves with their own deceivings while they feast with you;¹⁴ Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: a heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children:”

Revolting against the right way (2:15-17)

“Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness;¹⁶ But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with man’s voice forbad the madness of the prophet.¹⁷ These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever.”

This is the description of what our newspapers are reporting. The characteristics of those who are instigating the riots, looting, violence, and murders, are listed.

This list includes walking after the flesh, in uncleanness, despising government, not afraid to speak evil of dignitaries, natural brute beasts, speaking evil of things they do not understand, pleasure in riot, eyes full of adultery, cannot cease from sin, beguiling unstable souls, covetous, cursed, forsaking the right way, and gone astray.

Not a pretty list. God gives us a list of character qualities that would heal our land. The fruit of the Spirit.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,²³ Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.” (Galatians 5:22-23)

Which list seems like it might be able to heal the brokenness in our land?

The two lists represent the unsaved and saved. Those who choose to reject Jesus and those who trust Jesus as Lord and Savior.

“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” (John 14:1-6)

Will you come to Jesus for your salvation? Jesus is the only one who can change our individual lives and then change our sin sick nation.

Please accept Him today.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

The death of George Floyd has caused our nation to revisit the discussion on social injustice. Protests over police brutality have been marked by peaceful assemblies and those bent on destruction. The result of the destruction has been looting, crimes against police, and murder. Innocent people, who were just coming back from the COVID-19 pandemic, have been affected.

Why? The root cause of this violence is sin. It is rebellion against God, His purposes, and His love for mankind. Neither side in this conflict seems to recognize God’s control.

However, if you think this is a new phenomenon, you would be wrong. God through the apostle Peter gave us a graphic picture of this two thousand years ago.

This week we will look at 2 Peter 2. We will begin with the root of the problem found in Genesis 3. Then we will see how the false teachers of Peter’s day caused rebellion and destruction. They too were trying to destroy those who worshipped God.

Their doom (2:4-9)

The example of the angels who sinned (2:4)

“For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment;”

The example of the flood (2:5)

“And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly;”

The example of Sodom and Gomorrah (2:6-8)

“And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an example unto those that after should live ungodly;⁷ And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked:⁸ (For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;)”

God will deliver the godly, and punish the unjust (2:9)

“The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:”

God is no respecter of persons.

“Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:³⁵ But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.” (Acts 10:34-35)

Over the years different slogans have been used to single out a certain segment of society. They want people to know that their cause matters. That they as people are important.

God’s perspective is different. He made it clear from the very beginning that ALL lives matter. He went a step further. He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to pay the sin debt for all mankind.

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. ¹⁷ For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.¹⁸ He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” (John 3:16-18)

There would be no racism, police brutality, riots, looting, or murders, if we all bowed the knee to Jesus, received Him as personal Lord and Savior, and obeyed His teachings in the Bible. 

But our society wants to do it their own way.

How’s that working for you?

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001