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OceanSide church of Christ
Read devotionals for August 2014
September 1, 2014
Psalm 119:68 – Thou art good, and doest good; teach me thy statutes.
Thought: It is interesting how two people can look at the same person and see two different things. There are some who look and God and see a being who is angry, vengeful, and full of wrath. Others look at this same God and see a good, loving, and merciful being. One of the keys to this irony involves one’s relationship with God. Those who truly know God make the same confession about God as the psalmist made. “Thou art good, and doest good.”
Psalm 107:1
September 2, 2014
Psalm 119:69 – The proud have forged a lie against me: but I will keep thy precepts with my whole heart.
Thought: It is when our faith is tested that we are found either to be genuine or false. When others oppose us, lie about us, mock and persecute us, how will we respond? Will we give up on God? Or, will we, like the psalmist, keep His precepts with a whole heart? The choice is ours. Are we the real McCoy, or, is our Christianity a façade?
Matthew 23:1-4
September 3, 2014
Psalm 119:70 – Their heart is fat as grease: but I delight in thy law.
Thought: Seven times in this one psalm the inspired writer notes that he “delights” in the law of God. The law of God brought the psalmist joy and happiness. It served to protect him, to prosper him, and to save him. His heart was full of rejoicing as he walked in the ways of God. Does God’s law bring you delight? Or, does it only bring despair? Look at this verse again. If it is the latter, it could be your heart.
Psalm 40:8
September 4, 2014
Psalm 119:71 – It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes.
Thought: Learning the statutes of God can take place in a variety of ways. We can learn from a seasoned teacher. We can learn through the example of others. We can learn through experience. We can also learn through our afflictions. The latter often impresses the teachings of God deep upon our hearts. The fires of affliction tend to brand the good heart with knowledge and wisdom from above.
Psalm 94:12-13
September 5, 2014
Psalm 119:72 – The law of thy mouth is better unto me than thousands of gold and silver.
Thought: Man often fails to recognize something of value. He often puts value on the outer man, but little value on the inner man. In like manner, he often puts value on a secular education, but thinks that a spiritual education is cheap and useless. The psalmist did not miss the value of the Word of God. He asserted that it is worth as much as thousands in gold and silver. My friend, when you hold the Word of God in your hand, you are holding a treasure.
Proverbs 8:10-11
September 6, 2014
Psalm 119:73 – Thy hands have made me and fashioned me: give me understanding, that I may learn thy commandments.
Thought: “Give me understanding, that I may learn thy commandments.” Learning begins with desire. It begins with an “I want to learn” mentality. When a person longs for wisdom, he will overcome all of the obstacles before him. He will make the time necessary to learn. He will reap the bounty that comes from a deeper understanding of truth. How badly do you desire to know and learn the commands of God?
John 7:17
September 7, 2014
Psalm 119:74 – They that fear thee will be glad when they see me; because I have hoped in thy word.
Thought: Hope, deep desire coupled with earnest expectation, is the thing that motivates man to move forward. When a man has hope, his life is filled with aspiration. God’s Word contains many messages of hope. Those who put their trust in the hope found in the Scriptures are positive, joyful people. Hope, dear reader, in God’s Word.
Psalm 43:5
September 8, 2014
Psalm 119:75 – I know, O Lord, that thy judgments are right, and that thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me.
Thought: From this verse we learn that God can afflict his followers. This surprises many because they have a wrong perception of what true love involves. True love corrects and disciplines. When God afflicts, His child knows that it was done out of faithfulness. It was because God loves his soul and seeks his best welfare.
Revelation 3:19
September 9, 2014
Psalm 119:76 – Let, I pray thee, thy merciful kindness be for my comfort, according to thy word unto thy servant.
Thought: When the Lord makes a promise to us, it is okay for us to rely upon it. The word of the Lord had promised merciful kindness to the psalmist. Because of that promise, he now asks the Lord for it in his time of need. Never be afraid to ask for something God has promised you. God longs to bestow it if you will entreat Him for it.
James 1:5
September 10, 2014
Psalm 119:77 – Let thy tender mercies come unto me, that I may live: for thy law is my delight.
Thought: At least six times in Psalm 119, the psalmist expresses his delight for the law of God. The word “delight” means pleasure or enjoyment. How wonderful it would be if all of God’s followers delighted in His law. His law would be read, studied, memorized, meditated upon, and applied diligently by all. Can you really say to God: “Thy law is my delight”?
I John 5:3
September 11, 2014
Psalm 119:78 – Let the proud be ashamed; for they dealt perversely with me without a cause: but I will meditate in thy precepts.
Thought: Following God’s will is what makes God’s people different from the world. Because we are so radically different, the proud often deal with the righteous perversely. This should not cause the faithful to stumble. No, they meditate in the precepts of God and resolve to be even more diligent in their service to the Lord.
Genesis 24:63
September 12, 2014
Psalm 119:79 – Let those that fear thee turn unto me, and those that have known thy testimonies.
Thought: Many claim to fear God, but they do not know the testimonies of God. In other words, they claim to have respect for God, but they do not obey His precepts. The truth is that it is impossible to honor God and fail to keep His precepts. Fear of God and obedience to God are inseparable. Some call fear without obedience spirituality. In reality, it is rebellion.
Proverbs 13:20
September 13, 2014
Psalm 119:80 – Let my heart be sound in thy statutes; that I be not ashamed.
Thought: If an individual is not sound in the Word of God, he will find times that he will be ashamed. He will ashamed when he is asked questions by others. He will be ashamed when he seeks to teach something to be the truth when it is a lie. He will definitely be ashamed when he stands to be judged by God’s Word in judgment. My friend, we must seek to “rightly divide” the Word of truth.
II Timothy 2:15
September 14, 2014
Psalm 119:81 – My soul fainteth for thy salvation: but I hope in thy word.
Thought: Most of us want to be saved from our situations and circumstances of life. We long for our burdens to be eased. How many of us, however, truly faint for our ultimate salvation in the hereafter? We do not know when the Lord will come. We do not know the day when we will die. Thus, we have to hope in the promises of God’s Word. Yes, we desire salvation and we eagerly expect to receive it based on God’s Word.
Romans 12:12
September 15, 2014
Psalm 119:82 – Mine eyes fail for thy word, saying, When wilt thou comfort me?
Thought: Man often has questions for God. We wonder “why” when it comes to our circumstances in life. We also question “when,” when we will find relief. God promises His help to us. However, He does not always work on our time schedule. We must be patient. Trust that His comfort is coming!
Psalm 71:20-21
September 16, 2014
Psalm 119:83 – For I am become like a bottle in the smoke; yet do I not forget thy statutes.
Thought: It is possible for man to forget. Sometimes it is accidental. At times, a person can forget out of neglect. It is also possible for one to forget something intentionally. When it comes to God’s Word, we may have to resolve that we WILL NOT FORGET it. Each day we need to fill our minds with truth. Let us never forget the statutes of God.
Hosea 4:6
September 17, 2014
Psalm 119:84 – How many are the days of thy servant? When wilt thou execute judgment on them that persecute me?
Thought: God will execute judgment on them that persecute His people. Is this a true statement? Absolutely! The problem is that we do not know when He will do so. Therefore, we ask the question: “When?” Why do we ask? We ask because we are hurting. We ask because we are suffering. We ask because we need relief. Trust in God. He will eventually execute judgment.
Psalm 58:10
September 18, 2014
Psalm 119:85 – The proud have digged pits for me, which are not after thy law.
Thought: In Scripture, the proud are pictured as those who rebel against God. They long to entrap the righteous. They lure the faithful through means that are not after the law of God. The bait is enticing. It appeals to the flesh. It makes marvelous promises. The servants of God must keep in mind that these things “are not after thy law.”
Proverbs 16:27
September 19, 2014
Psalm 119:86 – All thy commandments are faithful: they persecute me wrongfully; help thou me.
Thought: In times past, persecution has always been an element that one must face as a child of God. The ungodly have no use for the righteous. They will invent reasons as to why God’s people need to be persecuted and killed. Many times the only help that the godly have is from God. They know that they can always cry out unto Him, saying: “Help thou me” and help will come.
Psalm 142:4-6
September 20, 2014
Psalm 119:87 – They had almost consumed me upon earth; but I forsook not thy precepts.
Thought: What is it that you allow to keep you from obedience to God? Is it a minor headache? Is it a decision made by the leaders of the church? Is it a relationship problem with another member? It is a difficult situation in life? What is it? The psalmist was facing severe persecution by his enemies. He, however, remained steadfast. He did not forsake the divine precepts. Seek to follow the example of this godly man from the past.
John 6:68
September 21, 2014
Psalm 119:88 – Quicken me after thy lovingkindness; so shall I keep the testimony of thy mouth.
Thought: The psalmist describes the Word of God with these words, “the testimony of thy mouth.” It is easy for us to think of the Word of God too casually. We may begin to think of it as a book like unto other books. Such is not the case. The Word of God has come to us from the mouth and mind of God. It is a book like no other book. It is authored by the divine and is full of the power of God. May each of us resolve to diligently keep it.
Matthew 4:4
September 22, 2014
Psalm 119:89 – Forever, O Lord, thy word is settled in heaven.
Thought: Forever is a term that is difficult for humans to comprehend. It does not involve time at all. Forever involves that which has no beginning and no end. It defines that which has always been. God’s Word has been in His mind eternally. It is not subject to the limits that man likes to put upon it. It does not change due to time, circumstances, and cultures. It is stable, steadfast, and sure. It does not change. It has been settled in heaven forever.
Matthew 24:35
September 23, 2014
Psalm 119:90 – Thy faithfulness is unto all generations: thou hast established the earth, and it abideth.
Thought: In six days, God created the heavens, the earth, the sea, and all that in them is (Exo. 20:11). At this present time, all things are being upheld by the power of God’s Word (Heb. 1:3). He has promised to destroy the earth at the Second Coming of Jesus Christ (II Pet. 3:10). Until then, it will remain. Nothing will destroy this planet until God wants it to be destroyed. Why? Because God is faithful to His Word.
Psalm 93:1
September 24, 2014
Psalm 119:91 – They continue unto this day according to thine ordinances: for all are thy servants.
Thought: God is the Master of all things. He created them. They are His servants. This is true of both animate and inanimate objects. The sun, the moon, and the stars obey Him. All He must do it speak the word. Man needs to follow the example of the hosts of heaven. He needs to give allegiance to his Creator.
Psalm 148:4-6
September 25, 2014
Psalm 119:92 – Unless they law had been my delights, I should then have perished in mine affliction.
Thought: Difficulties and struggles are part of man’s life. They often bring pain and sorrow. They can be very heavy and difficult to bear. Sometimes these struggles result from others afflicting us unjustly. Fortunately, the servant of God has a force to sustain him. In the hour of trail, he delights in the law of God.
Proverbs 6:22-23
September 26, 2014
Psalm 119:93 – I will never forget thy precepts: for with them thou hast quickened me.
Thought: Coming to an understanding of God’s Word is of vital importance. It contains so many things that are vital for man’s happiness and prosperity in this life. When one’s life seems purposeless, when life is not worthy living, the Word of God can fill it with life and vitality. God’s Word can make life worth living again.
I Thessalonians 2:13
September 27, 2014
Psalm 119:94 – I am thine, save me; for I have sought thy precepts.
Thought: Salvation is closely tied to the precepts of God. So many try to limit the elements of salvation to grace, or the cross of Calvary, or faith. This cannot be done. There are many aspects of salvation. The Word of God and obedience thereunto are part of the salvation process. Man has always belonged to God when He kept the commandments.
Romans 1:16
September 28, 2014
Psalm 119:95 – The wicked have waited for me to destroy me: but I will consider thy testimonies.
Thought: The wicked can influence the righteous toward evil. The ungodly can put pressure on the godly to leave the paths of righteousness. When this happens, the child of God must consider the testimonies of God. They must hold him as an anchor. They must direct him like a compass. They will protect him like a rock. The wicked will eventually pass, but God’s Word will endure.
Acts 23:21
September 29, 2014
Psalm 119:96 – I have seen an end of all perfection: but thy commandment is exceeding broad.
Thought: The works of man have a limit. The knowledge of man has boundaries. The commandment of God, on the other hand, is exceeding broad. God’s law has a depth that cannot be fathomed. Man can search through its mines of wealth and never harvest all of its bounty. Yes, man is limited, but God is unlimited. Man is finite, but God is infinite. Aren’t we glad that such a great God has communicated with us?
Romans 11:33
September 30, 2014
Psalm 119:97 – O how love I thy law! It is my meditation all the day.
Thought: Cows are known for chewing their cud. They can store previously chewed grass and bring it up to be chewed again. This is a wonderful description of the word “meditation.” Man can ingest God’s Word, and, at any time during the day, he can bring it up for additional reflection. He can think about it and rethink about it. This additional reflection helps us to see things in God’s Word that were not previously seen. Study God’s law. Then, later, chew on it a little more.
I Timothy 4:15
Read devotionals for October 2014