OceanSide church of Christ

Read devotionals for September 2024

October 1, 2024

Deuteronomy 31:1, 2 – And Moses went and spake these words unto all Israel. And he said unto them, I am a hundred and twenty years old this day; I can no more go out and come in: also the Lord hath said unto me, Thou shalt not go over this Jordan.

Thought: There comes a time in a leader’s life when he reaches the end of his term. Here, Moses knew he was at the end of his reign and at the end of his life. He had lived a long time, one hundred twenty years. He had begged God to be allowed to go over the Jordan, but God refused. It was punishment for his disobedience in the wilderness. Capable leadership would follow in a man named Joshua. This must have been an emotional time in Moses’ life.

Deuteronomy 3:23-26

October 2, 2024

Deuteronomy 31:3 – The Lord thy God, he will go over before thee, and he will destroy these nations from before thee, and thou shalt possess them: and Joshua, he shall go over before thee, as the Lord hath said.

Thought: Moses confirms the fact that Joshua would be the human leader of Israel when they entered into the land of Canaan. Joshua, however, was not the primary leader. Moses reminded Israel, saying; “The Lord thy God, he will go over before thee.” God was the true leader of the armies of Israel. It would be He who would destroy the nations from before the armies of Israel. God’s presence would not be physically seen. Israel would see Him by faith.

Psalm 44:1-3

October 3, 2024

Deuteronomy 31:4, 5 – And the Lord shall do unto them as he did to Sihon and to Og, kings of the Amorites, and unto the land of them, whom he destroyed. And the Lord shall give them up before your face, that ye may do unto them according to all the commandments which I have commanded you.

Thought: This is an encouraging promise given to Israel. Yes, they would have to fight, but the Lord would give them victory. This promise of victory was based upon the victories over Sihon and Og which Israel had just experienced as they neared Canaan. It gives one heart to know he will win the battle before it begins. Dear readers, Israel had seen God’s might manifested in so many ways. Courage should have been in their camp in abundance.

Joshua 5:13-15

October 4, 2024

Deuteronomy 31:6 – Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the Lord thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.

Thought: God had promised victory to the children of Israel in Canaan. He had told them that He would lead them and fight for them as He had done against Sihon and Og. Those words should have filled them with strength. God, however, also knew the power of fear. Thus, He exhorted Israel “be strong and of a good courage.” The walled cities, the giants of the land, their battle cries, and their weapons could be things that would cause Israel to fear.

Psalm 27:14

October 5, 2024

Deuteronomy 31:7, 8 – And Moses called unto Joshua, and said unto him in the sight of all Israel, Be strong and of a good courage: for thou must go with this people unto the land which the Lord hath sword unto their fathers to give them; and thou shalt cause them to inherit it. And the Lord, he it is that doth go before thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.

Thought: Few individuals ever reach a nation’s highest position. To be the supreme leader sounds enticing and enchanting. However, it is also a daunting task. This person carries the burden of the nation on his shoulders. As the old adage goes: “The buck stops here.” These men, like Joshua, are just men who have strengths and weakness. They often need to be encouraged. Moses understood this and sought to strengthen the heart of Joshua.

Joshua 1:5-7