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OceanSide church of Christ
Read devotionals for April 2014
May 1, 2014
Psalm 119:121 – I have done judgment and justice: leave me not to mine oppressors.
Thought: At times, all of us have the privilege to act as both judge and jury for others. This happens in the everyday affairs of life. In such times, it behooves us to act in fairness toward others. We should always examine the facts of the case and render a decision. We should not be swayed by money, gifts, or promises made to us by others. We need to end each day with the words: “I have done judgment and justice.”
II Samuel 8:15
May 2, 2014
Psalm 119:122 – Be surety for thy servant for good: let not the proud oppress me.
Thought: The word “surety” can be understood in modern times by the word “co-signer.” A co-signer to a loan signs his name to the loan as one who will pay if the person taking out the loan defaults. One who is surety mixes his own interests, resources, and character with that of another. The psalmist calls upon God to be surety for him. There is no better surety than God. If God partners with us, we shall never fail. Is God your surety?
Genesis 43:8-9
May 3, 2014
Psalm 119:123 – Mine eyes fail for thy salvation, and for the word of thy righteousness.
Thought: The psalmist looked for the Lord’s salvation so intently that his eyes grew weary. The Second Coming, Judgment, salvation, heaven, and eternal life have been promised to the faithful child of God. They are all future events. We should be looking forward to these events constantly. They should be something for which our soul yearns. As we look for these things, we, too, should grow weary in our watch. We might cry out to God: “How long, O Lord, how long?”
Psalm 42:2
May 4, 2014
Psalm 119:124 – Deal with thy servant according unto thy mercy, and teach me thy statutes.
Thought: God can deal with man according to His strict justice, or, He can deal with man according to His abundant mercy. If He deals with man according to His justice, no man can escape His wrath. All have sinned and come short of the glory of God. However, God is abundant in mercy. Through His Son Jesus Christ, He has bestowed His mercy to man and has satisfied the demands of divine law.
I Peter 1:3
May 5, 2014
Psalm 119:125 – I am thy servant; give me understanding, that I may know thy testimonies.
Thought: Can you make the same boast that the psalmist makes in this verse? He says: “I am thy (God’s) servant.” Romans 6:16 provides the test of servanthood. “Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants you are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?” Having this test before you, can you make the same boast that the psalmist made? He said: “I am thy (God’s) servant.”
Romans 6:17-18
May 6, 2014
Psalm 119:126 – It is time for thee, Lord, to work: for they have made void thy law.
Thought: God is a patient God. God is a longsuffering God. God grants time for man to come to his senses and repent. God tarries long so that man can be saved. However, there comes a time when time runs out. It ceases being time for men. It becomes time for God to act. When that time arrives, God does not hold back. He executes His full wrath on all those who rebel against Him. When it is time for the Lord to work, man should quiver and shake.
I Peter 4:17
May 7, 2014
Psalm 119:127 – Therefore I love thy commandments above gold; yea, above fine gold.
Thought: Gold is a precious commodity. There are many who make gold part of their portfolio. Paper money can lose all value, but not gold. In the psalmist’s day, gold was one of the currencies. With it, he could purchase all types of goods. If the psalmist had to choose between gold and the commands of God, he would choose the commandments. They had a value that rose far above the value of gold. Which would you choose? Do you see the extreme value in God’s commands?
Psalm 19:10
May 8, 2014
Psalm 119:128 – Therefore I esteem all thy precepts concerning all things to be right; and I hate every false way.
Thought: Often man uses the Word of God like a buffet. He picks and chooses what he likes and does not like. He practices the commands that are favorable to him. He rejects the commands that are not favorable. The psalmist was not of such a mindset. He esteemed ALL of God’s precepts concerning ALL things to be right. When it comes to the Word of God, it should be an all or nothing proposition. Are you ALL IN?
James 2:10
May 9, 2014
Psalm 119:129 – Thy testimonies are wonderful: therefore doth my soul keep them.
Thought: The more the inspired writer contemplated the testimonies of God, the more they caused him to marvel. He marveled at their wisdom. He marveled at their goodness. He marveled at their power. He marveled at their value. He marveled at their ability to endure. Yes, the testimonies of God were, and are, a marvelous thing. All of us need to let their wonder fill our hearts.
Jeremiah 15:16
May 10, 2014
Psalm 119:130 – The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.
Thought: Man likes to think that he is enlightened. He likes to boast of his knowledge, wisdom, and understanding. However, until the Word of God enters into the heart of man, he is in darkness. “The entrance of thy words giveth light.” God’s Word shows us the way from sin to holiness, from time to eternity, from earth to heaven, from sorrow to joy, and from death to eternal life. Please do not walk in darkness. Let the Word of God enlighten your mind.
II Corinthians 4:6
May 11, 2014
Psalm 119:131 – I opened my mouth, and panted: for I longed for thy commandments.
Thought: A person who has walked a long distance in hot weather, pants for a drink of water. His mouth, tongue, and throat can hardly wait for the cool liquid to quench its thirst. The intensity of this desire was experienced by the psalmist for the commandments of God. There was a deep yearning within his heart for the statutes of the Lord. Fortunately, God has a fountain that can quench the deepest desires of man.
Matthew 5:6
May 12, 2014
Psalm 119:132 – Look thou upon me, and be merciful unto me, as thou usest to do unto those that love thy name.
Thought: The writer desires two things of his heavenly Father. First, he asks Him to turn and look upon him. He desires His attention. Second, he asks for the mercy of God. He desires His blessing. Isn’t this what all children desire of their fathers? Sadly, not all children on earth receive the attention and blessing of their fathers. Such is not the case with the divine Father. He never deserts His children. Too, He is always willing to bestow a blessing upon them.
Luke 19:5
May 13, 2014
Psalm 119:133 – Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me.
Thought: The inspired scribe wanted his steps, that is, his life, to be ordered by God’s Word. There are several definitions for the word “order.” One of them is “to be fixed or establish-ed.” Another definition is “to be arranged.” A third definition is “to be directed.” God’s Word did all of these things for the psalmist and can do all of this for us. It will secure our lives, arrange our lives in the proper things and with the proper priorities, and will direct every step we take from time to eternity.
II Peter 1:3
May 14, 2014
Psalm 119:134 – Deliver me from the oppression of man: so will I keep thy precepts.
Thought: Just this morning in the news, it was reported that a teacher in Florida told a 5th grader that he could not read his Bible during his free reading period. This is one example of “the oppression of man” upon those who love God and His Word. Over the last 20 years this oppression has increased. We, too, need to pray for deliverance from man’s tyranny over those who still hold God and His word in high esteem.
Luke 1:74-75
May 15, 2014
Psalm 119:135 – Make thy face to shine upon thy servant; and teach me thy statutes.
Thought: The faithful child of God desires and delights in the approval of his Holy Father. He wants His Father’s face to “shine” upon him. Some are under the impression that His approval comes regardless of what they do, or, as long as they believe they are doing right. Not so! His approval is closely tied to one’s obedience to His Word. Thus, the psalmist longs for the Lord to teach him His statutes.
Numbers 6:25-26
May 16, 2014
Psalm 119:136 – Rivers of waters run down mine eyes, because they keep not thy law.
Thought: There is a belief that says: “Real men do not cry.” Not so. Real men of God do cry. The psalmist said that he had cried “rivers of waters.” The reason was because there were those in Israel who refused to keep the law of God. This is truly a reason to cry. Disobedience to God, however, is so commonplace today that we have become desensitized to it. We know that God’s law is not being honored by the masses, but there are no tears. Shame on us!
Luke 19:41
May 17, 2014
Psalm 119:137 – Righteous art thou, O Lord, and upright are thy judgments.
Thought: As we view the Bible, we often only see a book filled with do’s and don’ts. Some only see a book written by men. When we pick up the holy Scriptures, we need to remember that the real author is God. The psalmist declares that He is righteous. The word “righteous” means “just, right, and correct.” All of these qualities have been placed into God’s Word. Yes, God’s Word exhibits His character. There is nothing therein that is wrong, deceitful, or evil for man.
Deuteronomy 32:4
May 18, 2014
Psalm 119:138 – Thy testimonies that thou hast commanded are righteous and very faithful.
Thought: There are many in our world who do not believe that the testimonies of God are right. We are told that they are wrong when it comes to marriage and the home. We are told that they are wrong about parenting. We are told that they are wrong about man, sin, and salvation. We are told that they are wrong about God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit. We are told that they are wrong about death, heaven, and hell. The people of God must continue to remember: “Thy testimonies that thou hast commanded are righteous…”
Psalm 19:8
May 19, 2014
Psalm 119:139 – My zeal hath consumed me, because mine enemies have forgotten thy words.
Thought: The word “zeal” involves the “ardor of anger.” Here, it refers to the righteous indignation of the psalmist toward those who disobeyed God. His zeal drove him to warn, correct, and oppose those who opposed God and His Word. His efforts had been so great that he was “consumed.” This term means “to put an end to, to destroy.” Barnes says: “It means here, that he pined away; that his strength was exhausted; that he was sinking under the efforts which he had put forth as expressive of his deep interest in the cause of God and of truth” (e-sword, Barnes). Has your zeal for God’s precepts consumed you?
John 2:13-17
May 20, 2014
Psalm 119:140 – Thy word is very pure: therefore thy servant loveth it.
Thought: God’s word has been refined by the master craftsman. It is not like many precious metals that still contain impurities after being refined. No, it is “very pure.” There is nothing corrupt or vile within it. Those who follow the pure Word of God will themselves become pure.
John 15:3
May 21, 2014
Psalm 119:141 – I am small and despised: yet do not I forget thy precepts.
Thought: The psalmist had the correct perspective of himself. It was his struggles and hardships that had caused him to see himself as he is. It is when man is proud and arrogant that he has trouble with God. His supposed greatness and power causes him to think that he does not need to follow God’s law. All of us should pray, saying: “Father, keep me small in my own eyes.”
I Samuel 15:17
May 22, 2014
Psalm 119:142 – Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and thy law is truth.
Thought: Man is fickle. He changes like the wind. What is right today is not right tomorrow. What is evil today is good tomorrow. Today he is truly just; tomorrow he is unjust. God is not so. He is unchangeable. He is right, just, good, and holy at all times. Yesterday, today, and tomorrow His righteousness dwells with man in its unchangeable purity.
Hebrews 13:8
May 23, 2014
Psalm 119:143 – Trouble and anguish have taken hold on me: yet thy commandments are my delights.
Thought: There are some who teach a “prosperity” gospel. They would have all to believe that if they follow Jesus Christ that life will be lived in abundance both in wealth and health. The truth is that trouble and anguish will take hold of the child of God at times. There are times when the suffering can be intense and lengthy. It is in those times that one is tested. Is your relationship with God real? Or, is it based solely upon His generosity?
Job 14:1
May 24, 2014
Psalm 119:144 – The righteousness of thy testimonies is everlasting: give me understanding, and I shall live.
Thought: We have seen that God’s testimonies are based upon His holy character. Thus, His testimonies are right and good. This, my friend, will never change. The righteous character of His testimonies is everlasting. Some of the definitions of everlasting are: forever and ever, perpetual, continuous existence, and indefinite and unending future. Have the words and promises of others ever failed you? God’s testimonies will not. They are everlasting!
I Peter 1:25
May 25, 2014
Psalm 119:145 – I cried with my whole heart; hear me, O Lord: I will keep thy statutes.
Thought: Have you ever heard it said: “His heart was not in it”? It is possible for man to engage in actions wholly, partially, or not at all. This is true of one’s prayer life. One can seek God in prayer and his heart not be fully engaged. When one goes to God with a whole heart, he seeks God in sincerity and in earnest. Crying with the whole heart makes all the difference in the world.
Jeremiah 29:13
May 26, 2014
Psalm 119:146 – I cried unto thee; save me, I shall keep thy testimonies.
Thought: Man often finds himself in circumstances that are troubling, difficult, and life-threatening. In order to survive, he needs a savior. Those who believe in God have one. They, like the psalmist, can cry out to the Father in heaven, saying: “Save me.” They know God is there. They know that God is aware. They know that God is listening and attentive to their needs. Thus, they cry out: “Save me.”
Exodus 3:7
May 27, 2014
Psalm 119:147 – I have prevented the dawning of the morning, and cried: I hoped in thy word.
Thought: The psalmist is not saying that he kept the morning from dawning. The word “prevent” means “to come before, to precede.” The psalmist rose before the sun broke over the horizon. Perhaps his mind was troubled and he could not sleep. There was no rest in bed. He knew, however, that hope did exist in another place. Thus he arose in tears and turned to the Word of God.
Mark 1:35
May 28, 2014
Psalm 119:148 – Mine eyes prevent the night watches, that I might meditate in thy word.
Thought: The Jews divided the day into three four-hour segments. The psalmist would be awake prior the beginning of each of these watches in the night. He reason for rising was to meditate in the Word of God. His loss of sleep was offset by the comfort he found in the precepts of God. Many of us wonder where we could get more time for study. Perhaps we need to rise before each of the night watches to drink from God’s Word.
Luke 6:12
May 29, 2014
Psalm 119:149 – Hear my voice according unto thy lovingkindness: O Lord, quicken me according to thy judgment.
Thought: There are many people who have the wrong concept of God. Perhaps this is because they are in sin and know that God is a God of judgment and wrath. But, He does not sit upon his throne longing to punish man. No, God is love (I John 4:8). He longs for man to come to him with a contrite heart. When he does, God will deal with him in lovingkind-ness. The Parable of the Prodigal Son is proof of this.
Luke 15:20
May 30, 2014
Psalm 119:150 – They draw nigh that follow after mischief: they are far from thy law.
Thought: The psalmist could feel the evil doers near him. We can almost sense his trepidation at their presence. Such individuals bring confusion, hurt, and destruction to others. Once they are gone, the innocent lie hurting and suffering in their wake. It is never a good thing when those that long for mischief draw nigh.
Matthew 26:46-47
May 31, 2014
Psalm 119:151 – Thou art near, O Lord; and all thy commandments are truth.
Thought: In the previous verse, we found that the wicked were drawing near the psalmist. Here, we see that he knew that the Lord is near also. This is comfort when one is surrounded by those who are bent on evil. The faithful are never alone. The Lord is present and surrounds His servants with the hosts of heaven.
II Kings 6:7
Read devotionals for June 2014