Day 120 - Josh 1 & Psalm 120

 Julie

"Only be strong and courageous." This was the ultimate theme of the chapter and something that we should repeat every day. It should remind us that God is with us wherever we go.

Psalm 120 is a lament that seems to be asking for God's help in the midst of what this person is experiencing. They are a peaceful person, but they seem to be living in the midst of a struggle.

 

Michelle

I felt the same.  This passage was about them being reminded by Joshua that God commands them to be strong and courageous and that he will be with them wherever they go, and that they are to obey the law given to them, and if so they will be successful wherever they go.  Do not be afraid or discouraged.  This seems to come up alot.  Do not be afraid, God is with you.  

I agree, it's about someone in distress surrounded by deceit.  Seems familiar in a way, there are many who only want peace yet are surrounded by those who prefer to war against everyone and everything. 

Day 119 - Psalm 119

Julie

Today's psalm was interesting and very long. It is a continued praise for all God does, but was written in 22 stanzas. Each stanza follows the 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet. I couldn't really tell the signficance of that, although I am sure that there is one.  

 

Michelle

This is a very long psalm.  But it seems to be praise for God and for each it's stating that this person is keeping Gods decrees and commands even when they are being persecuted or slandered.  The accompanying book says of this psalm that is it an alphabetic acrostic, eight lines of poetry for each letter of the Hebrew alphabet.  It also states is a celebration of the law.

Day 118 - Psalm 118

 Julie

This is another powerful Psalm that is rich with words we have heard many times in our lives. This is a psalm that could be prayed daily as a reminder to us that in the midst of anything that we are experiencing God is there to handle it for us and to take care of us. Remember that "This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it." And, "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!" I feel like Psalm 118 is one that I would put into practice and use in prayer for myself to find peace and comfort in the love and faithfulness of God.

 

Michelle

This psalm seems to be one of giving thanks to the Lord.  The devotional for this psalm talks about time.  The fact that we hurry through life and have little time for all the things we did as kids, or the things our elders did when we were growing up.  We are constantly saying there's not enough time and in our quest to save time we are losing something.  We don't take the time for the things that are important to us.  We don't take time to live.  So today and everyday, think of something that takes a bit of extra time and do it.  For yourself, your neighbor, a family member, a friend.  Do it for the Lord.  Don't wait for another time.  Rejoice in this day and be glad!   

Day 117 - Deuteronomy 34 & Psalm 117

 Julie

This is actually where Moses dies, and it's said that he is the last prophet of his kind. Where God speaks directly to him and allows him to perform all of the signs and wonders that he did. 

While this psalm is short is powerful in it's words reminding us that God's faithfulness remaines forever. We must praise the Lord!

 

Michelle

What stood out to me was the end that spoke of Moses being the last of this type of prophet that knew God face to face.  I wonder why that is.  Is there no one since that God could or would trust to take on that role?  There is a devotional attached to this chapter.  It speaks of leaving a legacy and Moses faithfully serving God for 40 years and leading a nation out of bondage.  NO matter your situation in life or the gifts you've been given, you can pray for those that will come after you.  You can leave a legacy asking God to bless and guide those that follow you to impact the world for Christ.  

 The psalm is a short one but powerful all the same.  It's simply saying to Praise the Lord, for his great love and faithfulness endures forever.

Day 116 - Deuteronomy 31:30 - 33 & Psalm 116

 Julie

This is where Moses dies and he sings a song that basically tells them that they need to trust in God and not fall and again explains all that can and will happen if they do. He sings songs to each of his children. 

This is a psalm of love and praise to the Lord, this would something great to pray when we are praising him for all he does.

 

Michelle

Moses seems to be reminding the people yet again of all God has done up to now and all he will continue to do if they keep their covenant with God.  Moses then goes on to bless each of the tribes.   

The psalm seems to be showing that when he was in peril he called out to the Lord and the Lord answered and saved him.  That if we call out to the Lord he will be there for us, we need only turn to him in all times of need or otherwise should be praising. 

Day 115 - Deuteronomy 31: 1-29 & Psalm 115

 Julie

Two things stood out in this reading that I think are important to remember. One, 6 ^lBe strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, ^mfor it is the LORD your God who goes with you. ⁿHe will not leave you or forsake you.” This is something that I think we should carry with us every day and remember, especially in light of the next thing I think is important. Moses warns them that they will fall, 29 For I know that after my death ^gyou will surely act corruptly and turn aside from the way that I have commanded you. And ^hin the days to come ⁱevil will befall you, because you will do what is evil in the sight of the LORD, ^jprovoking him to anger through the work of your hands.” I think at this point we know that we are weak and through fear or mislead desire that we can act in a way that is unpleasing to God, but I thought it was interesting that Moses told them that they would do it, but has already given them the way back.

This psalm is a prayer of blessing for us all. This is something that could be prayed for ourselves or for others.

 

Michelle

I was kind of taken aback by the fact that God knows that the people will rebel yet again.  I do appreciate that he is preparing Joshua and the priests for this and have given them instruction for it.  But at first it made me feel like God has little faith in the people as well.  I realize God sees and knows all, but when I first read it I felt bad, like if he doesn't have faith in me how am I to have faith in myself and follow God as instructed.  We as a people are weak and are easily led astray and I think when there are many it is harder to maintain that faith in the group.  People so easily are led to the dark side of thinking and we want immediate results which I think in that time they expected as well.  We have to remember that God works in the proper time and not our time table.  

The psalm seems to be denouncing the gods of other nations and reminding the people that they should put their trust in God.  Give God praise. 

Day 114 - Deuteronomy 29 - 30 & Psalm 114

 Julie

Today's reading moved into repentence and forgiveness should anyone fall. I think this helps explain it all, "when you turn to the Lord your God with all your heat and with all your soul." If we can remember to do that in all things then we can be forgiven if we fall.

This psalm is reminding us the power that God has over everything.

 

Michelle

The passage started with the renewal of the covenant and again going over that you should follow all God's commands and decrees for a prosperous life or you will suffer and be scattered.  I agree it did refer to repenting and turning back to the Lord and his commands and following them again and being forgiven, not in those words exactly.  The last section stood out to me as it's title is "The offer of Life or Death", and it says to me that this is our choice.  We either choose life with God or death without.  So as with everything he is giving us a choice.  We can choose Life and to follow God.  

I agree this shows Gods power over everything.   

I had to come back to this one and comment as I read a devotional in my bible relating to this passage.  There's a story in it of a historian who wrote in his autobiography about his house keeper.  He had a wearying day and asked her to hold all his calls while he had a nap.  While he was napping the President Lyndon Johnson called to speak with him.  She said she would not disturb him as he was sleeping and told her not to.  Even after the President told her to wake him she did not.  Her response, "I work for him, not you".  It goes on the say that when he returned the call, the President could not control his pleasure in the situation and stated that he wanted her to work in the white house.  The lesson is that his instructions were clear and she followed them to the letter.  Obedience.  As when God gives commandment to the nation of Israel, he is clear.  Their job was simply to obey.  The verses it refers to I don't even remember reading but went back and read them again and it really moved me.  Verse 11-20.  God reminds the people of what he has done for their behalf and reassures them that obedience is not out of their reach, the standards are not impossibly high or too low, and that he has even written it on their hearts.  Their response is only to obey.  The final question in this is "Do you listen to the voice of your Master/Creator?"