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OceanSide church of Christ
Read devotionals for May 2023
June 1, 2023
Deuteronomy 5:22 – These words the Lord spake unto all your assembly in the mount out of the midst of the fire, of the cloud, and of the thick darkness, with a great voice: and he added no more. And he wrote them in two tables of stone, and delivered them unto me.
Thought: God wanted Israel to remember, respect, and obey His law. He gave them the two tables of stone for this reason. These tablets were a permanent reminder of the covenant relationship Israel had with God. If they would obey God’s Words, they would be richly blessed by Him. If they disobeyed, they would suffer severe consequences. These tables of stone were given to Moses on Mt. Sinai. He brought them to the people and became the law-giver and mediator of the Old Covenant.
Deuteronomy 33:4
June 2, 2023
Deuteronomy 5:23, 24 – And it came to pass, when ye heard the voice out of the midst of the darkness, (for the mountain did burn with fire,) that ye came near unto me, even all the heads of your tribes, and your elders: and ye said, behold the Lord our God hath showed us his glory and his greatness, and we have heard his voice out of the midst of the fire: we have seen this day that God doth talk with man, and he liveth.
Thought: Israel was greatly blessed to hear the voice of God speak to them out of the midst of darkness from atop Mount Sinai. What they witnessed was God’s “glory and his greatness.” They also had a myth removed from their belief system. Instead of dying when God spoke to them, they lived. Israel had witnessed the power of God on two occasions. Yet, they still had difficulty believing. They admitted the marvelous nature of what had been experienced, but they still struggled with obedience.
Hebrews 12:18-21
June 3, 2023
Deuteronomy 5:25, 26 – Now therefore why should we die? for this great fire will consume us: if we hear the voice of the Lord our God any more, then we shall die. For who is there of all flesh, that hath heard the voice of the living God speaking out of the midst of the fire, as we have, and lived?
Thought: Even though Israel heard God and did not die, they were still filled with fear. The powerful voice of God caused them to tremble. The thought that they would die was a possibility in their minds. It is difficult for us to comprehend the powerful nature of God’s voice. We have never experienced the sound of a voice that caused us to believe that we would die. One day, however, we will hear His voice. We, too, will tremble in fear and dismay as He calls us to come before His throne.
Hebrews 12:29
June 4, 2023
Deuteronomy 5:27 – Go thou near, and hear all that the Lord our God shall say: and speak thou unto us all that the Lord our God shall speak unto thee; and we will hear, and do it.
Thought: After hearing the voice of God, the children of Israel asked Moses to be their go-between, their mediator. He would be the one who would hear the voice of God. Having received the message, he would deliver it to the children of Israel. The last six words of this verse are of vital importance. “…we will hear, and do it.” Israel made a promise to Moses. They did not just promise to hear God’s Word. They also promised to do what was heard. It’s easy to hear. It is not always easy to do.
1 Kings 2:1-4
June 5, 2023
Deuteronomy 5:28 – And the Lord heard the voice of your words, when ye spake unto me; and the Lord said unto me, I have heard the voice of the words of this people, which they have spoken unto thee: they have well said all that they have spoken.
Thought: When Israel spoke, they spoke to Moses. However, God was in on their conversation. As humans, we need to remember the omniscience and omnipresence of God. He is aware of our words and our actions. God was pleased with the words of Israel. He would speak to Moses and allow Moses to communicate with the people. Perhaps he was more pleased with the desire of Israel to give heed to all that God revealed to them. God longs for His people to obey Him so He can bless them.
Luke 11:28
June 6, 2023
Deuteronomy 5:29 – O that there were such a heart in them, that they would fear me, and keep all my commandments always, that it might be well with them, and with their children for ever!
Thought: Israel had told Moses that whatever he commanded them from the Lord, they would do it. The statement itself pleased the Lord. However, the Lord knew their hearts. “O that there were such a heart in them, that they would fear me, and keep all my commandments always…” The Lord gets to “the heart” of the problem. The heart of the problem is the heart. If the heart of focused upon God, it will obey God. But, often the heart’s loves, desires, and interests keep one from God and His blessings.
Psalm 81:11-13
June 7, 2023
Deuteronomy 5:30, 31 – Go say to them, Get you into your tents again. But as for thee, stand thou here by me, and I will speak unto thee all the commandments, and the statutes, and the judgments, which thou shalt teach them, that they may do them in the land which I give them to possess it.
Thought: Bible students know Moses was the Lawgiver of the Old Covenant. They know Moses was given the Law by God upon Mount Sinai. They understand he was the go-between Israel and God. Knowing these things, however, is much different than truly appreciating them. Moses occupied a place no other human being has ever held. The law given unto him is known as the law of God, but it is also called “the law of Moses.” Even so, Moses remained humble. He was just a servant of God.
Numbers 12:6-8
June 8, 2023
Deuteronomy 5:32 – Ye shall observe to do therefore as the Lord your God hath commanded you: ye shall not turn aside to the right hand or to the left.
Thought: There are many words in this verse that are of utmost importance: “Ye,” “observe to do,” “as the Lord,” “commanded,” “shall not turn aside,” “right hand,” and “left hand.” That’s a seven-part lesson. The Lord is stressing the need for individual obedience. Obedience is not to a man, but to God. Obedience is to be precise, exact. Those seeking to obey God should not take away from His commands, nor should they add to His commands. When one obeys, he should walk circumspectly.
Ephesians 5:15-17
June 9, 2023
Deuteronomy 5:33 – Ye shall walk in all the ways which the Lord your God hath commanded you, that ye may live, and that it may be well with you, and that ye may prolong your days in the land which ye shall possess.
Thought: God tells Israel how to live so their lives will be blessed. The way is simple. They were to “walk in all the ways which the Lord your God commanded you.” Yes, under the Old Covenant, there were numerous commands. Too, some of the commands involved minute details. But, obedience involved their life, their well-being and their longevity. When a person’s life can be prosperous, happy, and long by living a certain way, why wouldn’t the individual choose to live that way?
Jeremiah 7:23
June 10, 2023
Deuteronomy 6:1 – Now these are the commandments, the statutes, and the judgments which the Lord your God commanded to teach you, that ye might do well in the land whither ye go to possess it.
Thought: The word Deuteronomy means “second law.” This was not the second time the law was given to Israel. They had it since the day Moses came down from Mount Sinai. Moses merely takes this opportunity at the end of his life to rehearse the law to Israel before they enter the Canaan. There are times when we forget the law of God. There are times when we neglect God’s law. Thus, we need to be reminded of it. Moses reminded Israel of the law because he knew the blessings attached to it.
2 Peter 3:1-3
June 11, 2023
Deuteronomy 6:2 – That thou mightiest fear the Lord thy God, to keep all his statutes and his commandments, which I command thee, thou, and thy son, and thy son’s son, all the days of thy life; and that thy days may be prolonged.
Thought: Moses makes three profound points in this verse. First, he writes about man’s need to fear God. How we respond to God begins with our reverence for God or lack thereof. Second, he points out the need for obedience to God. Man seems to relish faith in God, but he bucks when he is exhorted to obey God. Man needs to realize he is to keep all of God’s statutes and commandments. Third, Moses promotes generational obedience. God longs for generation after generation to obey Him.
Psalm 78:4-7
June 12, 2023
Deuteronomy 6:3 – Hear therefore, O Israel, and observe to do it; that it may be well with thee, and that ye may increase mightily, as the Lord God of thy fathers hath promised thee, in the land that floweth with milk and honey.
Thought: Obedience must be stress continually to God’s people. If it is not, they often become lax. They then practice partial obedience or no obedience at all. They must be reminded of the blessings that come with obedience. If Israel obeyed, God promised that all would be well with Israel and that they would increase mightily in the land of promise. Obedience is not designed to punish man. Obedience is designed to bless man. God, who created and loves man, knows what is best for him.
Ecclesiastes 8:12-13
June 13, 2023
Deuteronomy 6:4 – Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord.
Thought: There are not many gods. There is only one God. This teaching is called monotheism. This teaching would separate Israel from the nations found in the land of Canaan. Those nations were polytheists. They worshipped many gods. These two concepts are not compatible. They are like oil and water. Israel would be tempted to turn to those false gods. Therefore, Moses reminded them that “The Lord our God is one Lord.” He, and He alone, is to be worshipped, served, and obeyed.
Ephesians 4:6
June 14, 2023
Deuteronomy 6:5 – And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.
Thought: Three times Moses uses a little word that contains a huge definition. It is the word, “all.” Dictionary.com defines “all” as: “the whole, the whole quantity, one’s whole interest, energy, or property.” The word “all” means nothing is to be left out. Moses commanded Israel to love God with “all” their heart, that is, their mind, with “all” their soul, that is, their spiritual man, and with “all” their might, that is, the physical bodies. Love God with your all. Leave nothing out of your love for Him.
Mark 12:28-30
June 15, 2023
Deuteronomy 6:6 – And these words, which I command you this day, shall be in thine heart.
Thought: Moses instructs Israel to put God’s word into their hearts. The heart of man is his control center. All that he does originates first in his heart. Solomon tells us that out of the heart are the issues of life (Prov. 4:23). God’s word is perfect, sure, right, pure, clean, true, and righteous. If a person’s heart operates in harmony with God’s word, his life will manifest that which is perfect, sure, right, pure, clean, true, and righteous. Why does evil exist today? Hearts are void of the Word of God.
Colossians 3:16
June 16, 2023
Deuteronomy 6:7 – And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them which thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when liest down, and when thou risest up.
Thought: One verse in the Bible can contain many, many lessons. Moses reveals that it is the responsibility of parents to teach their children the commandments of God. He also teaches them that they are to teach the statutes of God “diligently” unto their children. The word “diligently” means sharp. Parents are to teach God’s Word in a crystal clear manner to their offspring. They are also to teach them constantly: in the house, by the way, when they rise, and when they lie down.
Psalm 78:4-6
June 17, 2023
Deuteronomy 6:8, 9 – And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes. And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates.
Thought: The words “them” and “they” in this verse refer to the commandments of God. Moses is speaking to parents who are responsible for teaching their children God’s Word. These commands are supposed to adorn the life of the parents. They wear them on their body by practicing them in their lives. Too, the commands of God were supposed to be an integral part of their homelife. The children of the Israelites were supposed to understand that God’s law governs the totality of their lives.
Proverbs 6:20-23
June 18, 2023
Deuteronomy 6:10, 11 – And it shall be, when the Lord thy God shall have brought thee in the land which he sware unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give thee great and goodly cities, which thou buildest not, and houses full of all good things, which thou filledst not, and wells digged, which thou diggedst not, vineyards and olive trees, which thou plantest not; when thou shalt have eaten and be full.
Thought: Israel was a blessed nation when they entered into the land of Canaan. There were so many things in the land that the Jews were not responsible for building: cities, house full of good things, wells of water, and vineyards and olive trees. Isn’t this true of almost all of us? We are born into a family that provides for our needs and for many of our wants. We were not the ones responsible for providing these blessings. Israel should have been grateful. Too, children should give thanks.
Nehemiah 9:24-25
June 19, 2023
Deuteronomy 6:12 – Then beware lest thou forget the Lord, which brought thee forth out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage.
Thought: Israel was warned about forgetting God in this verse. “Then beware lest thou forget the Lord.” We ask ourselves: “How could Israel ever forget God?” He redeemed them from bondage. He gave them His law on Mount Sinai. He took care of them in the wilderness. He was now about to give them the Promised Land. How could they ever forget God? The same way God’s people forget Him today? He gave us a Savior, His Son Jesus Christ and the hope of eternal life. How can we forget God?
Jeremiah 2:32
June 20, 2023
Deuteronomy 6:13, 14 – Thou shalt fear the Lord God, and serve him, and shalt swear by his name. Ye shall not go after other gods, of the gods of the people which are round about you.
Thought: Instead of forgetting God, the Israelites needed to focus their mind and behaviors upon God. Moses reveals four things they should do in these two verses. They should fear the Lord. Fear involves respect and adoration. Second, they should serve the Lord. His will needed to be carried out in their lives. Third, they should swear by his name. Vows and oaths were commonly taken. When taken, they were to be undergirded only with God’s name. Lastly, they were to refrain from idolatry.
Leviticus 19:12
June 21, 2023
Deuteronomy 6:15 – (For the Lord thy God is a jealous God among you) lest the anger of the Lord thy God be kindled against thee, and destroy thee from off the face of the earth.
Thought: To be jealous of what another person has is sinful. To be jealous over that which is yours is righteous. God is a jealous God when it comes to His people. He has redeemed them. He has entered into a covenant relationship with them. He looks upon His people as His bride. When they forsake him for other gods, He becomes jealous. It is a righteous jealousy. Why should His people become the pleasure for other gods? Question: If God was not jealous for Israel, what would think of Him?
Exodus 34:14
June 22, 2023
Deuteronomy 6:16 – Ye shall not tempt the Lord your God, as ye tempted him in Massah.
Thought: Humans are very selfish. If their needs are not satisfied, they complain. This happened to Israel not long after they were freed from the bondage of the evil Pharaoh. In Exodus 17, they pitched in Rephidim, “and there was no water for the people to drink” (v. 1). The people immediately chided with Moses, God’s appointed leader. Too, they accused him of bringing them into the wilderness to kill them. They even threatened to stone Moses. Their actions really involved a distrust of God.
Exodus 17:1-3
June 23, 2023
Deuteronomy 6:17 – Ye shall diligently keep the commandments of the Lord you God, and his testimonies, and his statutes, which he hath commanded thee.
Thought: The law-giver of Israel constantly reminded his people of their need to obey God. In fact, he reminds them to “diligently keep the commandments of the Lord.” It is easy to disobey. It is easy to fulfill our own fleshly desires. It is easy to follow the pack. It is easy to yield to enticements. It takes no character to do these things. It is not easy to obey. A person must put for the effort. A person must put self aside. A person must make sacrifices. People with noble character diligently obey the Lord.
Psalm 119:4
June 24, 2023
Deuteronomy 6:18, 19 – And thou shalt do that which is right and good in the sight of the Lord: that it may be well with thee, and that thou mayest go in and possess the good land which the Lord sware unto thy fathers, to cast out all thine enemies from before thee, as the Lord hath spoken.
Thought: Many individuals despise God because He teaches them to obey His commands. These same individuals have no trouble conforming to the laws of nature. None of them try to breathe underwater. None of them jump from their roofs with nothing to catch them. Why? Because disobedience brings a curse and obedience brings blessings. The same is true of God’s law. One of the blessings of Israel’s obedience was the possession of the Promised Land, a land flowing with milk and honey.
Isaiah 3:10-11
June 25, 2023
Deuteronomy 6:20 – And when thy son asketh thee in time to come, saying, What mean these testimonies, and the statutes, and the judgments, which the Lord our God hath commanded you?
Thought: There are several interesting lessons found in this verse. First, God expects parents to understand and do His will. Second, children are inquisitive in nature. There will come a time when they will ask their parents about the spiritual laws they live by. Third, parents need to have answers for these questions. Their answers will determine how their children will live their spiritual lives. Too, their answers can determine the eternal destiny of the souls of their children. Parents, be prepared!
Exodus 12:26-27
June 26, 2023
Deuteronomy 6:21 – Then thou shalt say unto thy son, We were Pharaoh’s bondmen in Egypt; and the Lord brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand.
Thought: The Lord did not leave parents without a reply to their children. They could not honestly say to their children: “We do not know.” The testimonies, statutes, and judgments of God were closely connected to Israel’s redemption from Egyptian bondage. There was a time when they were under severe bondage to Pharaoh. He made their lives extremely difficult. In fact, many lost their lives to his evil treatment. The Lord brought them out of horrible situation. Israel owed their well-being to God.
Psalm 136:10-12
June 27, 2023
Deuteronomy 6:22 – And the Lord showed signs and wonders, great and sore upon Egypt, upon Pharaoh, and upon all his household before our eyes.
Thought: Not only did God redeem the Israelites from bondage, but He also manifested His great power upon the nation. He poured out ten plagues upon Egypt that confronted their gods and devastated their nation. Moses describes these wonders as being “great and sore upon Egypt.” The people of God never lifted a finger to bring Pharaoh to his knees. They watched the Almighty work His wonders and signs. This manifestation of power should have kept Israel faithful to her God.
Psalm 135:8-9
June 28, 2023
Deuteronomy 6:23 – And he brought us out from thence, that he might bring us in, to give us the land which he sware unto our fathers.
Thought: The third thing parents were to tell their children in connection with the statutes of the Old Law was God had brought them into the land of Canaan which became their home. When Israel entered into that land, it was an extremely profitable land. Too, it was strategically located on the highway from the East to the West. Thus, it would be a place frequented by many travelers. In real estate, we know that location is the key. God had provided Israel the perfect location as His people.
Joshua 24:11-13
June 29, 2023
Deuteronomy 6:24 – And the Lord commanded us to do all these statutes, to fear the Lord our God, for our good always, that he might preserve us alive, as it is this day.
Thought: The word “Lord” in this verse takes on a different meaning in the minds of Israelite than when it was previously used. This is the Lord who redeemed Israel. This is the Lord who manifested His mighty power in Egypt. This is the Lord who gave His people the land of Canaan. It is this Lord who gave Israel the statutes found in the Law of Moses. These laws were both for their good and for their preservation. These blessings hinged upon two things: Israel’s obedience and respect for God.
Psalm 112:1-3
June 30, 2023
Deuteronomy 6:25 – And it shall be our righteousness, if we observe to do all these commandments before the Lord our God, as he commanded us.
Thought: The Bible speaks of two kinds of righteousness. One is self-righteousness. Self-righteousness involves the efforts man has devised in an attempt to be right with God. The other righteousness springs from God. It involves obedience to the commands of God. When those commands are obeyed, the individual is right with God. Man cannot be saved by his own works of righteousness. But, if we “observe to do all these commandments,” “it shall be our righteousness.”
I John 3:7
Read devotionals for July 2023