A Closer Look Iii: The Third in a Series of a Collection of Morning and Evening Christian Devotionals

By Robert L. Thompson

A Closer Look III is the third in a series of a collection of morning and evening Christian devotionals. They were developed from the Lords inspiration during times of personal prayer and Bible study.

Included in this series are a number of devotions on the longest chapter in the BiblePsalm 119. It contains twenty-two parts. Each of the twenty-two parts aligns in order to the letters of the Hebrew alphabet (Aleph, Beth, Gimel, etc.). The reader will note that several terms appear multiple times throughout the entire Psalm. These terms include commandments, judgment, law, precepts, statutes, testimonies, Word (Gods Word). In all, these terms appear 132 times throughout this Psalm. King David penned Psalm 119 to highlight Gods sacred character and his great love for man.

These devotions are intended to encourage the reader to take a closer look at Gods Word during daily quiet times in the presence of our Lord. They can be read over the course of a month and then repeated in subsequent months. As an alternate method of study, the reader may choose to review the table of contents for a topic that may be of interest or review the scripture references at the end of the text to locate those devotions that may include a favorite verse.

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Oct 27, 2017
• ISBN: 9781973602033

Robert L. Thompson

ROBERT L. THOMPSON is an ordained Deacon with more than thirty years of Bible teaching experience in Southern Baptist churches among many diverse groups. He is the author of G.R.A.C.E. Evangelism–Five Steps to Fulfilling God’s Purpose in Sharing the Gospel, as well as A Closer Look, A Closer Look II, and A Closer Look III which are Collections of Morning and Evening Christian Devotionals. He and his wife Melissa have been married forty years and reside in Virginia. They have four adult children and one grandchild.

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Copyright © 2017 Robert L. Thompson.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

Scripture taken from the King James Version of the Bible.

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ISBN: 978-1-9736-0202-6 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-9736-0204-0 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-9736-0203-3 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2017914861

WestBow Press rev. date: 10/27/2017

Contents

I AM

Say So

Give it to God

Peace, Be Still

Trust in the Lord

Every Thing That Hath Breath

All Is Well

I Will Never Forsake Thee

His Compassions Fail Not

Life Is Short

The God of All Comfort

What a Savior

Trust, Hear, Believe

Body, Soul, and Spirit

Be Strong and of a Good Courage

Hope Thou in God

Casting Down Imaginations

The Effectual Fervent Prayer

ALEPH—Blessed Are the Undefiled

BETH—Wherewithal

GIMEL—Deal Bountifully

DALETH—My Soul Cleaveth

HE—Teach Me, O Lord

VAU—Let Thy Mercies Come

ZAIN—Remember the Word

CHETH—Thou Art My Portion

I AM Thy God

TETH—Thou Hast Dealt Well

JOD—Thy Hands Have Made Me

CAPH—My Soul Fainteth

LAMED—For Ever, O Lord

MEM—O How Love I Thy Law

NUN—Thy Word Is a Lamp

SAMECH—I Hate Vain Thoughts

AIN—I Have Done Judgment and Justice

PE—Thy Testimonies Are Wonderful

TZADDI—Righteous Art Thou

KOPH—I Cried with My Whole Heart

RESH—Consider Mine Affliction

SCHIN—Princes Have Persecuted Me

TAU—Let My Cry Come Near

The Valley Of Vision

Give Us This Day

An Expected End

Rejoice in the Lord Always

Think on These Things

Even Now

Tell Them

One Thing I Know

My Grace Is Sufficient For Thee

The Decline and Fall

Seek the Lord Early

Delight Thyself Also in the Lord

Redeemed

The Father of Lies

Surely the Lord Is in This Place

Be Still, and Know

Thou Shalt, Thou Shalt Not

Woe Is Unto Me

As Grasshoppers

Israel—Holy People

His Mercy Endureth Forever

Scripture References

Notes

Praise for A Closer Look III

An exceptional devotional study for my wife and I to do together. We can spend as much or as little time each morning and evening depending upon our schedules. Bob writes with clarity and sufficient amount of scripture for an in-depth Bible study. All packed into a very short devotion.

— Mike Elliott

Former Youth Pastor, Mount Ararat Baptist Church, Stafford, VA

Executive Director of S.E.R.V.E., the Emergency Food Pantry

Stafford, VA

There is nothing more important for genuine spiritual growth than feasting upon the Word of God on a daily basis. God will bless your heart and direct your life when you immerse yourself in His Word on a regular basis. Bob Thompson has a genuine gift for providing strategic insights and inspirational reflections on God’s Word. As you prayerfully read the scripture text and then his spiritually insightful devotional thoughts, make sure that you ask God to speak to your heart and provide you with the power to live out His Word.

— Dee Whitten

Executive Director

NorthStar Church Network

Annandale, VA

"In his series, A Closer Look, Bob masterfully relates God’s Word to everyday life. These devotionals offer practical assistance for anyone wishing to take a closer look at the blessings God has for those who diligently seek Him."

— Dr. Beau Adams, DM

Sr. Pastor, Community Bible Church and author of

Seven Stupid Things People Do To Mess Up Their Lives

Stockbridge, GA

Resources by Robert L. Thompson

G.R.A.C.E. Evangelism: Five Steps to Fulfilling God’s Purpose in Sharing the Gospel. Maitland, FL: Xulon Press, 2011.

A Closer Look: An Inspirational Collection of Morning and Evening Devotionals. Nashville, TN: WestBow Press, 2015.

A Closer Look II: The Second in a Series of An Inspirational Collection of Morning and Evening Devotionals. Nashville, TN: WestBow Press, 2016.

For Gene and Dana

Acknowledgments

Melissa Thompson for inspiring Day 2 Morning:

Give It to God

Richard Chamberlain for inspiring Day 3 Evening:

Every Thing that hath Breath

Gene Thompson for inspiring Day 5 Morning:

His Compassions Fail Not

Melissa Thompson for inspiring Day 8 Morning:

Be Strong and of a Good Courage

Carole Bowlden for inspiring Day 14 Morning:

I AM Thy God

Kim Washburn for inspiring Day 22 Evening:

An Expected End

Dana Thompson for inspiring Day 23 Morning:

Rejoice in the Lord Always

Preface

Included in this series are several devotions on the longest chapter in the Bible—Psalm 119. It contains twenty-two parts. Each of the twenty-two parts align to the letters of the Hebrew alphabet (Aleph, Beth, Gimel, and so on.). Each part contains eight verses. Matthew Henry commented, Like Solomon’s proverbs, it is a chest of gold rings, not a chain of gold links.¹

You may recall that the Old Testament was written in Hebrew. Many Hebrew religious writings, including the Old Testament, were considered to be the sacred Word of God. After a closer look at Psalm 119, you will note that several terms appear multiple times throughout the entire Psalm. These terms include commandments, judgment, law, precepts, statutes, testimonies, and word (God’s Word). In all, these terms appear 132 times throughout this Psalm. Certainly, King David penned Psalm 119 to highlight God’s sacred character, His great love for man, and to emphasize His commandments, precepts, statutes, testimonies, law, and word as a framework for life.

These devotions are not intended to replace your daily reading of God’s Word—the Holy Bible. Neither are they intended to replace the time you spend daily in personal prayer. Rather, they are intended to encourage you to take a closer look at God’s Word during daily quiet times in the presence of our Lord.

They can be read over the course of a month and then repeated in subsequent months. As an alternate method of study, you may choose to review the table of contents for a topic that may be of interest or review the Scripture references at the end of the text to locate those devotions that may include a favorite verse.

May our Lord richly bless you as you take A Closer Look.

Robert L. Thompson

August 2017

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Day 1 Morning

I AM

And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM.

—Exodus 3:14

And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you (Exodus 3:14). The God of the Bible is Yahweh (YHWH). He is the Covenant God of Israel–The Great I AM.

God is known