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OceanSide church of Christ
Read devotionals for January 2014
February 1, 2014
Psalm 119:32 – I will run in the way of thy commandments, when thou shalt enlarge my heart.
Thought: The words, “I will,” indicate resolve on the part of the author of this verse. He has committed himself to running in the way of God’s commandments. He understands that there is urgency in obeying God. Crawling or walking is not quick enough. This servants wants to “run in the way” of God’s commands. How would characterize your obedience to God’s commands?
Hebrews 12:1
February 2, 2014
Psalm 119:33 – Teach me, O Lord, the way of thy statutes; and I shall keep it unto the end.
Thought: At the beginning of Bible class one asks: “Teacher, are you going to teach us something today?” The teacher responds: “There are some people you just cannot teach.” The statement of the teacher is said in fun, but there is truth to it. To be taught, a person must be teachable. The psalmist was a willing and eager student. He begged; “Teach me, O Lord…”
John 6:44-45
February 3, 2014
Psalm 119:34 – Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart.
Thought: Understanding involves insight, discernment, and discretion. It sometimes comes with ease. At other times, great effort is needed to come to understanding. There are circumstances when it comes with the help of another. To understand the will of the heavenly Father should be a deep longing of all men. When we understand, we can obey.
Acts 8:30-31
February 4, 2014
Psalm 119:35 – Make me to go in the path of thy commandments; for therein do I delight.
Thought: God’s commandments mark a path for all to follow. It is a safe path. It is a path that brings happiness. It is a path that leads to life eternal. The path, however, must be chosen. There are many other paths that are tempting. They seem to bring pleasure, excitement, and thrills. Their ends, however, are sorrow, heartbreak, and eternal ruin. If we understand this, we, too, would say: “Make me to go in the path of thy commandments.”
Proverbs 3:17-18
February 5, 2014
Psalm 119:36 – Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, and not to covetousness.
Thought: Man constantly stands at a crossroad. He has a choice about where he will put his loyalty. He can choose God, or, he can choose something else. Money, wealth, and riches often tempt man. They falsely promise man freedom, power, and happiness. The psalmist longed to be bent toward God’s testimonies. In which direction does your heart lean?
I King 8:57-58
February 6, 2014
Psalm 119:37 – Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity; and quicken thou me in thy way.
Thought: The lust of the eye is a powerful enticement. What we see can be beautiful. It can appear to be fun and promising. However, much of what Satan places before our eyes to entice us to sin is empty, useless, and vain. Man goes to great efforts to obtain what he sees only to find that what he has provides nothing of substance. We need to “turn away” from the empty things of life and keep our eyes on the way of God.
Proverbs 4:25-27
February 7, 2014
Psalm 119:38 – Stablish thy word unto thy servant, who is devoted to thy fear.
Thought: Satan attempts to get the servant of God to doubt the truthfulness and trustworthiness of the Word of God. Every child of God needs the Word of God to be “stablished” in his mind. He must be convinced that God’s Word is true, and never wrong.
II Corinthians 1:20
February 8, 2014
Psalm 119:39 – Turn away my reproach which I fear: for thy judgments are good.
Thought: Those who live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. This is not a welcomed promise. Most long for reproach and rebuke and disgrace to be removed from them. Even our Lord prayed: “Let this cup pass from me.” What is important to remember is that when suffering comes because one faithfully keeps the precepts of God that the precepts are still good.
Matthew 26:39
February 9, 2014
Psalm 119:40 – Behold, I have longed after thy precepts: quicken me in thy righteousness.
Thought: A child away from home for the first time often longs to be home. Lovers who are separated by time and distance long to be together. One who suffers from an infirmity longs for good health. These deep desires describe the longing of the psalmist for the precepts of his heavenly Father. Constantly his heart yearned for the testimonies of truth.
John 6:27
February 10, 2014
Psalm 119:41 – Let thy mercies come also unto me, O Lord, even thy salvation, according to thy word.
Thought: Mercy is needed by those who are suffering. When one is suffering physically, he longs for and welcomes mercy. However, there are many who are suffering spiritually and fail to realize it. Thus, mercy is not one of their desires. The psalmist was aware of his suffering. Thus, he prayed: “Let thy mercies come also unto me, O Lord, even thy salvation…”
Psalm 13:5
February 11, 2014
Psalm 119:42 – So shall I have wherewith to answer him that reproacheth me: for I trust in thy word.
Thought: The wicked demand answers from the righteous. Satan started this in the Garden of Eden (Gen. 3:1). When questioned, the righteous have an obligation to answer. When one’s life is being lived in harmony with God’s will, giving an answer is easy to do.
Daniel 3:16-18
February 12, 2014
Psalm 119:43 – And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth; for I have hoped in thy judgments.
Thought: God’s word comes from an authority higher than any upon the earth. Those who possess it are secure. They have a foundation for all that they do. If that law is removed, life is hopeless. There is no longer a basis for living. The psalmist knew this. He requested, therefore, that the word of truth never be removed from his mouth.
Ecclesiastes 12:13
February 13, 2014
Psalm 119:44 – So shall I keep thy law continually for ever and ever.
Thought: The word “keep” carries several definitions. The one most commonly attached to the term is “observe” or “obey.” It also means “to treasure up in one’s memory.” In addition, it can be defined as “to guard, to keep watch, to protect.” The inspired penman may have had all of these things in mind when he resolved to keep God’s law continually.
John 14:21
February 14, 2014
Psalm 119:45 – And I will walk at liberty: for I see thy precepts.
Thought: These are some codes of law that are oppressive and enslaving. This cannot be said of the law of God. His law is a law of liberty. This law brings freedom from sin, freedom from the bondage of Satan, freedom from addictions, freedom from worry, and freedom self. Truly, it is a law of liberty
James 1:25
February 15, 2014
Psalm 119:46 – I will speak of thy testimonies also before kings, and will not be ashamed.
Thought: Presently, we are seeking the secularization of our society. Individuals want a strict separation between church and state. We are told that government and religion should not be mixed. The psalmist did not see it this way. He knew that all the kings of the earth needed to hear the testimonies of God. This is still true today. God sees government officials as His ministers. They definitely need to hear, understand, and obey His will.
Romans 13:4
February 16, 2014
Psalm 119:47 – And I will delight myself in thy commandments, which I have loved.
Thought: There are many ways to find delight in the commandments of God. First, there is a delight in the study of God’s Word. Precious treasures can be found on a regular basis. Second, there is delight in obeying God’s Word. There are no better paths to walk than the paths of righteousness. Third, there is delight in teaching the commandments to others. It is a joy to see others reaping the benefits of a holy, godly life.
Psalm 40:8
February 17, 2014
Psalm 119:48 – My hand also will I lift up unto thy commandments, which I have loved; and I will meditate in thy statutes.
Thought: The commands of God do not involve passive activity on the part of man. They call for active engagement of our mind and body. When God commands, man needs to move into action. “My hand also will I lift up unto thy commandments” must be our resolve. It is not enough to hear God’s commands, we must hear and obey.
Joshua 24:24
February 18, 2014
Psalm 119:49 – Remember the word unto thy servant, upon which thou hast caused me to hope.
Thought: God’s Word is not merely a book of facts and commands. It is also a book filled with the promises of God to man. Forgiveness, answered prayer, deliverance from our enemies, resurrection, and heaven are just a few of them. Part of the joy of our walk with God is when He remembers His assurances and brings them to pass in our lives.
Psalm 105:42-44
February 19, 2014
Psalm 119:50 – This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me.
Thought: Affliction is part of life. Jesus promised His disciples, saying: “In the world ye shall have tribulation” (John 16:33). In times of trouble, one of man’s desires is comfort. Some seek it in the wrong places. They turn to alcohol, drugs, affairs, and other places that only bring more misery. God’s Word is the key. It can inject the suffering heart with comfort.
Romans 15:4
February 20, 2014
Psalm 119:51 – The proud have had me greatly in derision: yet have I not declined from thy law.
Thought: The proud have an elevated view of themselves, their power, their possessions, and their positions in life. They are often bold and brutal toward those who humbly submit to their God. They mock them. They shame them. They persecute them. They seek to make them appear to be weak. They also try to make the righteous think that holy living and serving God are not worth it. To not be moved will require the faithful’s conviction.
Proverbs 21:24
February 21, 2014
Psalm 119:52 – I remembered thy judgments of old, O Lord; and have comforted myself.
Thought: There are those who believe that if something is old that it is no longer useful and needful. This might be the case with a car or computer. Such, however, is not the case when it comes to the wisdom of God. It has existed with God from eternity. It has existed before the foundation of the world. His wisdom, though very old, is still new and right and profitable for man.
Proverbs 8:22-29
February 22, 2014
Psalm 119:53 – Horror hath taken hold upon me because of the wicked that forsake thy law.
Thought: The word “horror” is defined as “burning or intense heat.” It comes from a word that was used by the Arabs to refer to the burning winds of the desert. Barnes makes this comment about the word: “The state referred to here is that of one who sees the storm of burning wind and sand approaching; who expects every moment to be overcome and buried; whose soul trembles with consternation” (Barnes, e-sword). Do you have the ability to see as the horrible state of the wicked and the disastrous consequences they bring to the godly?
Galatians 1:6-7
February 23, 2014
Psalm 119:54 – Thy statutes have been my songs in the house of my pilgrimage.
Thought: Contrary to how some view the statutes of God, the psalmist declares that they were his “songs.” The singing of songs involves joy and merriment. God’s commands to the inspired writer were not laborious, restrictive, and detrimental to his life. Oh no. God’s commands brought joy, peace, order, direction, stability, and hope to his home.
Psalm 138:4-5
February 24, 2014
Psalm 119:55 – I have remembered thy name, O Lord, in the night, and have kept thy law.
Thought: Nights can be difficult times. As the darkness closes around us, we feel hope retreating. In the darkness, we feel more alone. The darkness seems to increase mental anguish and physical pains. In such times, we need a place to turn for comfort. The psalmist found that place. In the night, he remembered the name of the Lord. When darkness prevailed, the Lord became his refuge and strength.
Psalm 4:8
February 25, 2014
Psalm 119:56 – This I had, because I kept thy precepts.
Thought: Yesterday, we learned that the psalmist had peace in the night remembering the name of his God. This was possible because he kept God’s precepts. Keeping God’s Word and having a relationship with him are bound tightly together. So many want a relationship with God, but they do not want to keep the commandments. Such is an impossibility.
John 14:23
February 26, 2014
Psalm 119:57 – Thou art my portion, O Lord, I have said that I would keep thy words.
Thought: The word “portion” means “possession.” Some define it as a “chosen possession.” God was the psalmist’s chosen possession. Barnes makes this comment: “God was to him what other people see in wealth, honor, pleasure, fame. To him, God was all and in all. He asked nothing else” (Barnes, e-sword). Have you chosen God as your portion?
Philippians 3:7-8
February 27, 2014
Psalm 119:58 – I entreated thy favour with my whole heart: be merciful unto me according to thy word.
Thought: Do you ever stand in need of a blessing? Do you ever stand in need of a favor? Do you ever stand in need of a gift? There is a place that you can turn to receive it. That place is at the throne of God. To get it, however, you will have to entreat God with your whole heart. A divided heart will not bring the mercies of God that you desire.
James 1:6-8
February 28, 2014
Psalm 119:59 – I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto thy testimonies.
Thought: It is easy for man to get stuck in ruts. It is easy for man to justify and rationalize his behavior. It is easy for man to develop extremely bad patterns of living. It is easy for man to walk in the ways of comfort, ease, and sin. From time to time, man needs to stop and think on his ways. He needs to take an inventory of his life. Corrections could be needed.
II Corinthians 13:5
Read devotionals for March 2014