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OceanSide church of Christ
Read devotionals for July 2014
August 1, 2014
Psalm 119:37 – Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity; and quicken thou me in thy way.
Thought: The word “quicken” means “to make alive” or “to bring to life.” There are times when God’s people lose their fervor. There are times when they involve themselves in sin. There are times when difficulties of life make it hard to be enthusiastic in one’s Christian practice. When this happens, one needs to be quickened. If you are there at this moment, ask God to bring you to life in His way.
Psalm 71:20
August 2, 2014
Psalm 119:38 – Stablish thy word unto thy servant, who is devoted to thy fear.
Thought: The word translated “who” could also be translated as “which.” It could be that the psalmist was devoted to the fear or worship of God. Or, it could mean that the Word of God was designed to secure the fear of God. Either way, the servant of God who is stablished in the truth of God’s Word will pour out praise and honor and devotion to God. Does your devotion to God show how established you are in God’s Word?
Psalm 71:8
August 3, 2014
Psalm 119:39 – Turn away my reproach which I fear: for thy judgments are good.
Thought: The word “good” has many applications to the judgments of God. It can mean that God’s judgments are pleasant. It can mean that they are excellent and valuable. Good can be defined as right, valuable, and prosperous. Yes, God’s judgments are good. We often fail to remember how good they really are.
Deuteronomy 4:8
August 4, 2014
Psalm 119:40 – Behold, I have longed after thy precepts: quicken me in thy righteousness.
Thought: So many people desire to feel “alive” in this world. They seek this utopia in things like pleasure, work, money, recreation, relationships, and a host of sinful activities. True animation comes from the righteousness of God. Men are nothing more than the “walking dead” until they have been brought to life by the righteousness of God.
Romans 6:13
August 5, 2014
Psalm 119:41 – Let thy mercies come also unto me, O Lord even thy salvation, according to thy word.
Thought: Sinful man stands in need of God’s mercy. When he attains it, he has salvation. Where is it found? It is found in the word of God. Notice that salvation is not obtained in the feelings and opinions of man. God’s Word contains the merciful plan of God that saves man. If we continue in the Lord’s teaching, salvation can be ours.
I Timothy 4:16
August 6, 2014
Psalm 119:42 – So shall I have wherewith to answer him that reproacheth me: for I trust in thy word.
Thought: When the wicked reproach the righteous, he should turn to the Word of God for his answer. The evil ones will mock and ridicule us for our responses. We, however, continue to trust in God’s Word. Why? God’s Word is the manifestation of God’s wisdom. His wisdom towers high above the wisdom of man. In fact, God’s foolishness is wiser than man.
Daniel 2:20
August 7, 2014
Psalm 119:43 – And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth; for I have hoped in thy judgments.
Thought: Men have put their hopes in many things that have failed them. Some have hoped in the promises of man. Some have hoped in government. Others have hoped in science. All of these sources of hope have weaknesses because they are founded upon man. There is a hope that is secure. It is hope based upon the judgments of God. Those who base their hopes upon God’s Word will never be disappointed.
Psalm 16:9
August 8, 2014
Psalm 119:44 – So shall I keep thy law continually for ever and ever.
Thought: For many people, the practice of religion is an “on again, off again” practice. For a while they will be on fire. Then, they turn cold for a period of time. They will be faithful for a few months, then, they will disappear for a while. They will be diligently keepers of God’s law for a few weeks, then, God’s law fades from their minds. These people are not like the psalmist. He was one who kept God’s law “continually for ever and ever.
Proverbs 4:13
August 9, 2014
Psalm 119:45 – And I will walk at liberty: for I seek thy precepts.
Thought: The psalmist said that he would “seek” the Lord’s precepts. The word “seek” carries numerous concepts. The psalmist would “resort to” the Lord’s precepts. He would “investigate” and “ diligently study” His precepts. He would “apply” the divine precepts after a diligent investigation. Having done these things, the psalmist could “walk at liberty.”
Proverbs 15:14
August 10, 2014
Psalm 119:46 – I will speak of thy testimonies also before kings, and will not be ashamed.
Thought: The message of God conflicts with the thoughts and opinions of man. The testimonies of God commands men to change their evil ways. The law of God rebukes man when he refuses to conform to the divine standard. Because the law is demanding and forceful, God’s people might be ashamed of its message. This shame will cause them to be silent instead of speaking as they ought. Boldness is needed if one is going to speak as he ought.
Ephesians 6:19-20
August 11, 2014
Psalm 119:47 – And I will delight myself in thy commandments, which I have loved.
Thought: A person cannot delight in the commandments of God until he first loves them. This love springs from the deep love one has for the great God who revealed His will to man. God deeply cares for man. His will is designed for man’s good. Knowledge of a being like this causes man to cling to His commandments with agape love.
Romans 7:12
August 12, 2014
Psalm 119:48 – My hands also will I lift up unto thy commandments, which I have loved; and I will meditate in thy statues.
Thought: One word that defines meditate is “ponder.” Meditation involves deep thought. One considers both the words and teaching of God’s Word. He goes over and over it. The person’s ultimate end in his meditations is the application of God’s Word to life. Memorize a verse from God’s Word today. “Chew” on it a while. Make it part of who you are.
Joshua 1:8
August 13, 2014
Psalm 119:49 – Remember thy word unto thy servant, upon which thou has caused me to hope.
Thought: Hope gives a person a reason to live. Hope causes one to press on during difficult times. Hope is what brings joy when dark clouds threaten. God’s Word is filled with words of hope. This hope can be obtained both now and in the hereafter. Read God’s Word today. You will find ray after ray from the sunshine of hope that beams within it.
Lamentations 3:26
August 14, 2014
Psalm 119:50 – This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me.
Thought: It is paradoxical that while a man is living he can feel as though he is dead. The inner man can languish. The spiritual man can grow cold. When this happens, man moves through life without joy. He feels as if he is dead. The inner man can be resurrected to life again. The power to raise the dead is in God’s Word. It gives comfort, purpose, and hope.
John 6:63
August 15, 2014
Psalm 119:51 – The proud have had me greatly in derision: yet have I not declined from thy law.
Thought: David was a righteous man. He sought to live his life in harmony with God’s will. He faced many difficulties in life that could have caused him to doubt and turn from God. He did allow these things to impact his faithfulness. He would not be bent away from the law of God. It is interesting to note that it is possible for the godly to be diverted from the law of God. It is also interesting to note that they do not have to be.
Acts 20:23-24
August 16, 2014
Psalm 119:52 – I remembered thy judgments of old, O Lord; and have comforted myself.
Thought: One of God’s marvelous gifts is the gift of memory. It is an extremely precious gift when one fills his memory with the treasure of God’s Word. In times of grief, it can be remembered. In times of persecution, it can be recalled. In times of struggle, it can be brought to mind. When it is remembered, it can bring comfort to the child of God.
Jude 1:17
August 17, 2014
Psalm 119:53 – Horror hath taken hold upon me because of the wicked that forsake thy law.
Thought: We often seem to have a tolerance for wicked people and wicked practices. What we need to remember is that wicked have forsaken the law of God. Their disobedience involves rebellion against God. Thus, they are in rebellion to our Lord and Master. The wicked are not our allies; they are our enemies.
Isaiah 1:4
August 18, 2014
Psalm 119:54 – Thy statutes have been my songs in the house of my pilgrimage.
Thought: Every human being is a stranger on this earth. As the old hymn says: “We are just a passing through.” Within the homes of our pilgrimage there can be joy or sorrow. The best way to fill our homes with joy is by filling them with obedience to the statutes of God. God’s laws were revealed for man’s good, his betterment, and his success. Let statutes of God be the songs that nourish your home with joy.
Hebrews 11:13
August 19, 2014
Psalm 119:55 – I have remembered thy name, O Lord, in the night, and have kept thy law.
Thought: God and His word are intertwined with each other. A person cannot fail to keep the law of God and remember the name of the Lord at the same time. In like manner, if a person keeps the law of God, he is also keeping the name of the Lord in remembrance. Question: Does your obedience to God’s law show that you have remembered Him or that you have forgotten Him?
John 15:10
August 20, 2014
Psalm 119:56 – This I had, because I kept thy precepts.
Thought: It is possible for one to truly keep the precepts of God. It is also possible for one to “think” he has kept the precepts of God, but be deceived. There are millions today who believe that they have been saved by faith only. If you were to ask them: “Have you kept the commands of God?” They would answer: “Yes.” They are deceived. James said: “Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only” (James 2:24).
I Samuel 15:13-14
August 21, 2014
Psalm 119:57 – Thou art my portion, O Lord: I have said that I would keep thy words.
Thought: Have you ever heard someone say: “I have heard that before?” It usually follows a promise that another makes. The promise has been made several times in the past. It has gone unfulfilled. Thus, the one who hears the promise again, remarks: “I have heard that before.” Have you ever told the Lord: “I will keep thy word?” The psalmist did and meant it. What about you? Is God sitting on His throne saying: “I’ve heard that before.”
Joshua 24:19-24
August 22, 2014
Psalm 119:58 – I entreated thy favor with my whole heart: be merciful unto me according to thy word.
Thought: “Be merciful unto me.” This seems to be the cry of every individual who is helpless and dependent upon another. In His Word, the Lord has promised His mercy to mankind. Man, however, does not always realize that he stands in need of God’s mercy. Therefore, there is no cry made for it. There is no movement toward it. Dear reader, your sins put you in dire need of the mercy of God. He has plenty. Go get it!
Ephesians 2:4
August 23, 2014
Psalm 119:59 – I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto thy testimonies.
Thought: An inventory of one’s life is necessary from time to time. We need to think on our ways. An inventory alone, however, is not enough. If we find that we do not measure up to the divine standard of God’s law, we need to turn. The psalmist reveals the direction of that turn. We must turn our feet unto the Lord’s testimonies.
Ezekiel 33:14-16
August 24, 2014
Psalm 119:60 – I made haste, and delayed not to keep thy commandments.
Thought: The word “delayed” means “to question, to hesitate, or to be reluctant.” These actions are the very ones many take when it comes to the commands of God. They question what God has said. They put off and procrastinate doing what God wants done. Have you ever told yourself: “I better do that right now”? This is the mindset we need in keeping the commands of God. Don’t delay! Do it right now!
Hebrews 3:7-8
August 25, 2014
Psalm 119:61 – The bands of the wicked have robbed me: but I have not forgotten thy law.
Thought: Some people seem to be searching for reasons to put the law of God away from their lives. When horrible things happen in their lives, they blame God and cease being obedient to Him. David had much evil to come upon him both as a shepherd lad and in the courts of Israel. He, however, refused to forget the law of God. He knew that forgetting God’s law only brought two problems upon him.
Jeremiah 2:32
August 26, 2014
Psalm 119:62 – At midnight I will rise to give thanks unto thee because of thy righteous judgments.
Thought: The word “righteous” has as its root the word “right.” When we speak of righteousness, we are speaking of “that which is right.” God’s judgments are right. If a person puts God’s judgments into practice in his life, he will never go wrong. This is truly something for which one should give thanks.
Deuteronomy 4:8
August 27, 2014
Psalm 119:63 – I am a companion of all them that fear thee, and of them that keep thy precepts.
Thought: Respect for God and obedience to God should go hand in hand. However, we find some that fit in one group or the other. Some “respect” God, but do not keep his commandments. Others are “obedient,” but to not have an awe for God as they should. Our companions need to be like those of the psalmist. They should both fear God and obey Him.
II Corinthians 6:14-17
August 28, 2014
Psalm 119:64 – The earth, O Lord, is full of thy mercy: teach me thy statutes.
Thought: There are many things that cause an individual to desire to be taught. One of the things is the character of the teacher. When a teacher is loving, caring, and compassionate, students long to learn from him. When a person surveys the earth, he sees the mercy of God in brilliant display. Surely, a merciful God can instruct us well. “Teach me thy statutes.”
Matthew 11:28-29
August 29, 2014
Psalm 119:65 – Thou has dealt well with thy servant, O Lord, according unto thy word.
Thought: God is a divine being. The Bible is God’s revelation to man. These two things are different things, but they are inseparably linked together. When a person conforms his life to the teachings of God’s Word, God deals well with that person. The person’s life is enriched. The person’s life is made profitable. The person’s life is fruitful. Plant God’s Word in your heart and watch it grow.
Psalm 1:3
August 30, 2014
Psalm 119:66 – Teach me good judgment and knowledge: for I have believed thy commandments.
Thought: The psalmist mentions “good” judgment and knowledge. This is found in the commands of God. This implies that “bad” judgment and knowledge also exist. When man secularizes his life and his society, he turns from the good judgment and knowledge found in God’s Word and starts relying on bad judgment and knowledge. Immorality, violence, suppression, and chaos are the result.
James 3:17-18
August 31, 2014
Psalm 119:67 – Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word.
Thought: The word “afflicted” means “to be humbled.” When the psalmist was proud, he rebelled against God and went astray. Rebellion often leads to difficulty and struggle. In one’s affliction, he often sees his sinful condition. This awakening often drives one back to the straight and narrow. If you are oppressed and bowed down, take an inventory of your life. It could be that you have not been keeping the Word of God.
Luke 15:15-18
Read devotionals for September 2014