PSALM 86 THE POWER OF THE LOVE OF GOD

June 26

PSALM 86

6 Give ear, O Lord, to my prayer;   listen to my plea for grace.

7 In the day of my trouble I call upon you, for you answer me.

8 There is none like you among the gods, O Lord, nor are there any works like yours.
9 All the nations you have made shall come and worship before you, O Lord,
 and shall glorify your name.10 For you are great and do wondrous things;
 you alone are God. 11 Teach me your way, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth; 

unite my heart to fear your name.12 I give thanks to you,

O Lord my God, with my whole heart, and I will glorify your name forever.

13 For great is your steadfast love toward me;

you have delivered my soul from the depths of Sheol. – Psalm 86:6-13

PSALM 86 THE POWER OF THE LOVE OF GOD

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

The love of the Lord is powerful and is like no other

It reassures and comforts unlike the love of our neighbor

The Lord’s steadfast love rescues and protects us

He never fails to amaze those who give him their trust

The power of the love of God will deliver anyone from hell

It is this amazing grace that destroys all the schemes of the devil.

There is no one else in this world who can love us more than God loves us. It is a sad fate when unbelievers won’t accept this truth. This is the reason why our world is full of fear and chaos. The love that the world knows is transactional and very superficial. It doesn’t last and is not assuring. Because the love that the world knows is artificial and shallow. Depth and commitment to each other is rare and therefore trust is often absent in this kind of relationship. It is almost like taking risk to be in relationship with someone and yet making sure that they look after their own welfare or agenda. How do you think love would look like if you vow to be with someone but look out for your own needs first? Wouldn’t it be a self-focused and transactional relationship? The person in this relationship will make sure that they get all their needs first rather than their partners. They will wait how beneficial their partner is before they do their part in giving back just enough of what they have received. It is a very transactional kind of love.

In this account, the psalmist describes God steadfast love. It is unconditional and very different from the transactional love that the world generates. God’s love reassures us how important we are. God doesn’t wait until we are loving him first. He woes us first and pursue us and look after our own interests and needs. He does not need anything from us so it is not transactional. He provides all that will bring us closer to fulfill his plan. God’s love rescues us from sin and gives us a life that is eternal.

REFLECTION

  • Share how the power of God’s love was manifested in your life.

MICAH 6 JUSTICE AND KINDNESS MANIFEST LOVE

June 25

MICAH 6

6 “With what shall I come before the Lord,
    and bow myself before God on high?
Shall I come before him with burnt offerings,
    with calves a year old?
7 Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams,
    with ten thousands of rivers of oil?
Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression,
    the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?”
8 He has told you, O man, what is good;
    and what does the Lord require of you
but to do justice, and to love kindness,
    and to walk humbly with your God. – Micah 6:6-8

MICAH 6 JUSTICE AND KINDNESS MANIFEST LOVE

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

What does God require from his beloved people?

The Lord wants them to be kind and impartial

No offerings and sacrifices can replace kindness

To show compassion mirrors God’s steadfastness

By fairly treating others without biases is loving

It is a clear indication that you are showing justice

Seek humbly God’s counsel by reading his word

You will have a strong weapon and edge over the world.

In this chapter, we hear God’s judgment over Israel for defying his commandments. In these following verses, we hear the Israelites trying to figure out how to appease God of his wrath over them for disobeying him. It seemed like verse 6 was something a covenant child of God would ask to deny admittance to their own sins and asking God what they needed to do to spare them of this judgment. This lack of accountability is almost just like when a little child did something mischievous and got caught and would try his best to cover up what he has done for fear of punishment. Verses 6-7 is almost washing their hands of the knowledge of God’s requirements stipulated in his laws. It is very childish to seem to forget who God is and what was required from them as part of the covenant between them and God. It almost sounded like sarcasm for them to ask a question they already knew the answer to.

Micah spoke in verse 8 and reminded them of God’s requirement from his people. He wants justice from his people, to love kindness and to walk humbly with the Lord. They need not do sacrifices and offerings which was probably easier for them to do. They didn’t want to take responsibility for their sinfulness and skip the punishment for their sins.

REFLECTION

  • Why do humans tend to deflect their sins instead of confessing and asking for forgiveness?

NAHUM 1 GOD’S LOVE TO HIS PEOPLE

June 24

NAHUM 1

The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble;
  he knows those who take refuge in him.

  8 But with an overflowing flood
  he will make a complete end of the adversaries,
  and will pursue his enemies into darkness.
9 What do you plot against the Lord?
    He will make a complete end;
    trouble will not rise up a second time.
10 For they are like entangled thorns,
    like drunkards as they drink;
    they are consumed like stubble fully dried.
11 From you came one who plotted evil against the Lord,
    a worthless counselor. – Nahum 1:7-11

NAHUM 1 GOD’S LOVE TO HIS PEOPLE

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

The Lord is always good especially to those who love him

He ensures that they are protected from the tactics of the devil

God defends his people completely by ending the enemy’s schemes

Their conspiracies will never rise because God will destroy them

God manifests his love to his people by being a shield and protector

He strengthens them and no weapon formed against them will prosper

The Lord is your shield and defense against all rulers and oppressors

Without God’s love, you won’t overcome foes and be the conquerors.

One of the most important aspects of any form of relationship is the state of being “safe.” Without safety, we become on guard to scan for dangers. A key component to loving someone is to keep them safe and secure in your relationship. With that security comes trust and assurance. So many people in our world today have experienced neglect and abuse which lead to many insecurities and mental health challenges. When a child grows up without being cared, loved and nurtured, that child learns to cope with the deficits in his/her life. She/he learns to mistrust and scan for unsafe people and the environment. They become hyperfocus and always on guard and ready to either fight, flight, freeze or fawn. It is very different for those who love the Lord. If you know God, you are secure in his love and at peace even with the most challenging of circumstances. Because you know that the Lord is your shield and your defender.

In this account, the prophet Nahum pronounces the wrath of God against the Ninevites. In verse 7, the prophet reminds them that those who belong to God need not be afraid, for God will spare them from his wrath over Nineveh. He will defend and ensure that their enemies never triumph over them.

REFLECTION

·       How does God’s love towards you differ from any human love you have experienced?

JOHN 14 IF YOU LOVE GOD

June 23

JOHN 14

15 “If you love me, you will keep my commandments. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, 17 even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.

18 “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. 19 Yet a little while and the world will see me no more, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. 20 In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. 21 Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.” 22 Judas (not Iscariot) said to him, “Lord, how is it that you will manifest yourself to us, and not to the world?” 23 Jesus answered him, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. 24 Whoever does not love me does not keep my words. And the word that you hear is not mine but the Father’s who sent me. – John 14:15-24

JOHN 14 IF YOU LOVE GOD

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

If you love God, you will obey and follow his commandments

It is a clear sign that you truly love him with your heart, soul and mind

You can’t claim you love God and have a rebellious attitude

If you question his authority, it is impossible to show gratitude

If you love God, you will emulate Jesus in his love for others

You won’t be self-focused but think of your neighbor’s welfare

If you love God, you will hunger for his word and seek counsel

You won’t rely on your own understanding but depend on him.

Has anyone declared their love for you but failed to show it? Many marriages end in failure because one of the spouses failed to follow through with their vow to love each other forever for better or for worse. Once the honeymoon phase dies down, the relationship goes down on a spiral of let downs and disillusionments set in. The “self” wins and tries to claim what they expected from the spouse which sometimes were never even discussed. Many marriages and other relationships were all based on transactional agreement. “I’ll give you something if you also give me what I want from you” is the unspoken mindset from these kinds of relationships. No wonder, they don’t last. They have no clear notion of what true love is.

Jesus gives the disciples true and tested proof that they are his followers. He tells them that those who obey his commandments are those who truly love him. He also mentions the importance of keeping God’s word in their hearts. Without God’s words, we won’t know how to follow his laws and navigate in this corrupt world. Without his truth, we will continue to be deceived and an easy target for the devil to manipulate and tempt. Saying you love God and not obeying his word and laws show that you don’t love God.

REFLECTION

·       Why do you think “obedience” is the requirement of Jesus to prove they love him?

ZECHARIAH 8 LOVE TRUTH AND PEACE

June 22

ZECHARIAH 8

O house of Judah and house of Israel, so will I save you, and you shall be a blessing. Fear not, but let your hands be strong.”14 For thus says the Lord of hosts: “As I purposed to bring disaster to you when your fathers provoked me to wrath, and I did not relent, says the Lord of hosts, 15 so again have I purposed in these days to bring good to Jerusalem and to the house of Judah; fear not. 16 These are the things that you shall do: Speak the truth to one another; render in your gates judgments that are true and make for peace; 17 do not devise evil in your hearts against one another, and love no false oath, for all these things I hate, declares the Lord.” 18 And the word of the Lord of hosts came to me, saying, 19 “Thus says the Lord of hosts: The fast of the fourth month and the fast of the fifth and the fast of the seventh and the fast of the tenth shall be to the house of Judah seasons of joy and gladness and cheerful feasts. Therefore, love truth and peace. – Zechariah 8:13-19

ZECHARIAH 8 LOVE TRUTH AND PEACE

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

When you love the Lord your God, you will do what he says

He wants us never to fear but always pursue peace instead

We are all commanded to speak truth to one another

This is a clear manifestation that we love each other

To speak lies only makes for confusion and chaos

It opens door for the devil to have access to tempt us

In truth, we expose and discern all the tactics of the enemy

Therefore, seek the truth in God’s word and you’ll have victory.

In this prophetic utterance of the prophet Zechariah, we hear the Lord urge all his people to love truth and pursue peace at all times. What does it do when we love the truth? It keeps us aware of the ways that the devil works. The purpose of God’s word is to expose all that is not of God’s kingdom. So, if a believer constantly seeks God’s truth, he will grow in discernment of the spiritual realm and all the works that are going on when spiritual warfare actually happens. It is sad to see so many Christians who would not even seek the word of God regularly. They think that they can navigate this world without God’s guidance. It is very arrogant to do that because they cannot discern spiritual things if they only rely on what is visible in the world. The book of Ephesians warns us that we are dealing with spiritual forces that we can’t see and yet can create havoc in our lives.

Zechariah voices out God’s instructions in verses 16-18 as follows:

·       Speak the truth to one another

·       Utter only truthful judgments and pursue peace

·       Don’t plot evil schemes or false accusations or statements

The Lord wants to ensure that they follow these commands so they can continually receive God’s favor.

REFLECTION

·       Why do you think many people today fail to seek the truth and pursue peace regularly?                   

                                                                                

JOSHUA 23 ON RESPONDING TO GOD’S LOVE

June 21

JOSHUA 23

3 And you have seen all that the Lord your God has done to all these nations for your sake, for it is the Lord your God who has fought for you. 4 Behold, I have allotted to you as an inheritance for your tribes those nations that remain, along with all the nations that I have already cut off, from the Jordan to the Great Sea in the west. 5 The Lord your God will push them back before you and drive them out of your sight. And you shall possess their land, just as the Lord your God promised you. 6 Therefore, be very strong to keep and to do all that is written in the Book of the Law of Moses, turning aside from it neither to the right hand nor to the left, 7 that you may not mix with these nations remaining among you or make mention of the names of their gods or swear by them or serve them or bow down to them, 8 but you shall cling to the Lord your God just as you have done to this day. 9 For the Lord has driven out before you great and strong nations. And as for you, no man has been able to stand before you to this day. 10 One man of you puts to flight a thousand, since it is the Lord your God who fights for you, just as he promised you. 11 Be very careful, therefore, to love the Lord your God. 12 For if you turn back and cling to the remnant of these nations remaining among you and make marriages with them, so that you associate with them and they with you, 13 know for certain that the Lord your God will no longer drive out these nations before you, but they shall be a snare and a trap for you, a whip on your sides and thorns in your eyes, until you perish from off this good ground that the Lord your God has given you.

                                                                                         – Joshua 23:3-13

JOSHUA 23 ON RESPONDING TO GOD’S LOVE

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

When you receive a love that is unconditional and faithful

Wouldn’t you respond with the same passion and devotion?

The Lord your God has done everything by fighting for you

He remained devoted to you; shouldn’t you do the same?

Be careful to follow your God’s commands or you’ll fall

Obey his laws so you can be sure that you won’t be trapped

Respond to God’s love by making him your priority

You will receive many blessings and have victory.

When someone loves you dearly, you usually cannot resist but reciprocate the same love you received. But because of our sinful nature, some of us would not respond with reciprocity. In this account, Joshua was already in his old age and exhorting the Israelites to remember what God has done for them. He reminded them of the faithful love of the Lord. God dealt with all their enemies and made sure that they were going to possess the land that was promised to them. Just like a husband expects the wife to be faithful to him, God also expects the same devotion from his people. Without obedience to God’s laws, it is impossible for them to have victory over their enemies. It is God who will fight for them. It is their obedience that will ensure the promises are fulfilled.

REFLECTION

  • Why do you think obedience is a main ingredient in showing our love for God?

PSALM 143 TRUST IN GOD’S STEADFAST LOVE

June 20

PSALM 143

7 Answer me quickly, O Lord! My spirit fails. Hide not your face from me,
    lest I be like those who go down to the pit.
8 Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love, for in you I trust.
Make me know the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul.

9 Deliver me from my enemies, O Lord! I have fled to you for refuge.
10 Teach me to do your will, for you are my God!
   Let your good Spirit lead me on level ground!

11 For your name’s sake, O Lord, preserve my life!
    In your righteousness bring my soul out of trouble!
12 And in your steadfast love you will cut off my enemies,
    and you will destroy all the adversaries of my soul, for I am your servant.

                                                                                        – Psalm 143:7-12

PSALM 143 TRUST IN GOD’S STEADFAST LOVE

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

When you trust in God’s steadfast love, you are a victor

No enemy will be able to hurt or defeat you

Come and worship the Lord who is faithful and steadfast

He is your shield and your refuge in times of trials

In his steadfast love, you will be able to crush your enemies

Your faithful God will ensure your strength, protection and victory

Trust in God’s steadfast love and you will never go down to the pit

You will be delivered from anyone who hurts you; they’ll be defeated.

Have you ever been with someone who is constantly faithful and reliable? There is no one else who could give you assurance as God could provide. Even though you don’t see him, he will make himself present to you especially if you continue to rely and be in communion with him. One of the main manifestations of a true Christian is trust and reliance in God. It is an oxymoron to see a believer who is self-sufficient or independent. In fact, anyone who is self-sufficient would most likely never consult the Lord or run to him in trouble. They will do their best to come up with their own solutions to situations and problems and forget that someone else is much in control of their situations. They are fixers and proud to prove that they can do anything. Unknowingly, they are actually insinuating that they can be on their own. That is exactly the opposite of a believer. A child of God never does anything on his own strength. That person always seeks God’s word where he will get counsel and wisdom to do what is right in his situation.  There is no arrogance but humility to admit that relying on God’s steadfast love will make all the difference with whatever situations or adversities he will face. Man can’t assure but God can because he is steadfast in his love for us.

REFLECTION

  • Share insights as to the difference between man’s way of loving against God’s steadfast love.

ISAIAH 43 GOD’S ASSURING LOVE

June 19

ISAIAH 43

But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel:
“Fear not, for I have redeemed you;   I have called you by name, you are mine.
2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;

   and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;
  when you walk through fire you shall not be burned,  

  and the flame shall not consume you.
3 For I am the Lord your God,  the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.
I give Egypt as your ransom, Cush and Seba in exchange for you.
4 Because you are precious in my eyes,   and honored, and I love you,
I give men in return for you,   peoples in exchange for your life.
5 Fear not, for I am with you;  I will bring your offspring from the east,
    and from the west I will gather you.6 I will say to the north, Give up,
    and to the south, Do not withhold; bring my sons from afar
    and my daughters from the end of the earth,7 everyone who is called by my name,
    whom I created for my glory,  whom I formed and made.”– Isaiah 43:1-7

ISAIAH 43 GOD’S ASSURING LOVE

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

There is no other love greater than how God loves us

It is a love that is precious and makes us so secure

It protects the loved one from harm and destruction

It does not condemn nor judge our unintentional actions

God’s love treasures those whom he has chosen

It always thinks of what is best for his beloved people

God’s assuring love will cast all kinds of fear

It strengthens his children & to depend on him.

How do you know if you are truly loved? With human beings, we can never truly know because we are all fallen and sinful in our nature. But God’s love is assuring. We know this when we have peace about our lives despite all that is happening around us. If God has chosen you as one of his own, he will make his love present in your heart. Your mind may not know it but deep inside you will have contentment. God’s love fills you. You won’t feel empty despite all that you are going through. You have a sense that you are not alone because he is always there to protect, guide and provide for you.

This account gives us a glimpse of God’s assuring love for his people. All the “fear nots” promises given in this prophetic book are evidence of how much we are all loved. If only many of us know who God is and how much he has provided and given us, we probably will never complain or whine or be dissatisfied. We will be ecstatic to know that we are precious in God’s eyes and considered his prized possession.

REFLECTION

·       What assurances from God’s love have been clearly manifested in your life as a believer?

LEVITICUS 19 WHAT LOVING YOUR NEIGHBOR IS

June 18

LEVITICUS 19

9 “When you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not reap your field right up to its edge, neither shall you gather the gleanings after your harvest. 10 And you shall not strip your vineyard bare, neither shall you gather the fallen grapes of your vineyard. You shall leave them for the poor and for the sojourner: I am the Lord your God.11 “You shall not steal; you shall not deal falsely; you shall not lie to one another. 12 You shall not swear by my name falsely, and so profane the name of your God: I am the Lord.

13 “You shall not oppress your neighbor or rob him. The wages of a hired worker shall not remain with you all night until the morning. 14 You shall not curse the deaf or put a stumbling block before the blind, but you shall fear your God: I am the Lord.15 “You shall do no injustice in court. You shall not be partial to the poor or defer to the great, but in righteousness shall you judge your neighbor. 16 You shall not go around as a slanderer among your people, and you shall not stand up against the life of your neighbor: I am the Lord. 17 “You shall not hate your brother in your heart, but you shall reason frankly with your neighbor, lest you incur sin because of him. 18 You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord.– Leviticus 19:9-18

LEVITICUS 19 WHAT LOVING YOUR NEIGHBOR IS

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

If you are a child of God, you will love your neighbor

You will think of others’ welfare and help them prosper

You will not take advantage of them or steal from them

You’ll give them what they deserve and never delay your help

To love your neighbor is to never be impartial towards them

You must treat them fairly and do your best to show justice

Never revenge or bear a grudge against one another

God has loved you; so, make sure you pass on this love to others.

Some scholars believe that the book of Leviticus was written by Moses but some claim that it may have been a compilation of ancient laws. If you know the Lord your God, you will probably recognize that this is the voice of God talking through Moses about what his law of loving your neighbor actually means.

By giving detailed examples of how this law looks like if followed, we get a clear picture if we are truly going to follow this law of love. In verses 9-10, Moses talks about leaving some of their harvest for the poor to glean on or gather from. According to sources, in ancient times, gleaning is a mandated agricultural practice of leaving leftover crops in the fields, vineyards or orchards for the widows, the orphans and foreigners to collect.  It only shows their love and concern for those who are unable to provide themselves because of their status in life. Verse 11 mentions stealing and lying and not deal falsely with each other. Verse 12 talks about not taking God’s name in vain. Verse 13 speaks about oppression and verse 14 is not cursing others but fearing the Lord. This account also mentions injustice, slandering, hating and avenging. This is an explanation of the ten commandments of God given to Moses.

REFLECTION

·       What among the prohibitions in this account have the world taken for granted?

PSALM 63 THE STEADFAST LOVE OF THE LORD

June 17

PSALM 63

O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you;
my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water.
2 So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary,    beholding your power and glory.
3 Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you.
4 So I will bless you as long as I live;  in your name I will lift up my hands.

5 My soul will be satisfied as with fat and rich food,

    and my mouth will praise you with joyful lips,

6 when I remember you upon my bed,
    and meditate on you in the watches of the night;

7 for you have been my help, and in the shadow of your wings,

 I will sing for joy.8 My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me.

                                                                                – Psalm 63:1-8

PSALM 63 THE STEADFAST LOVE OF THE LORD

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

When you have been chosen by the Lord to be his child

You will experience his amazing grace and infinite love

The steadfast love of the Lord is much better than life

If you experience it, you will never be the same again

God loves you with a faithful and unwavering love

It is an unfathomable love that overflows with grace

You will hunger and thirst for this love that he gives

It will make you praise him for as long as you live.

If anyone who do not know God reads this psalm of David, that person would maybe liken it to two lovers or a husband and a wife’s relationship. It is undeniable from the tone of the psalm the wonderful love between the two people. There is reciprocity in that ardent and passionate affection and admiration they the two have for each other. Isn’t this why Christ and his bride, the church, is always referred to as a relationship as in a marriage. In Revelation 19:6-9, we hear of the marriage supper of the lamb in which the saints will be clothed in white linen to be married to Christ. This must be the reason why God himself instituted marriage when he made Adam and Eve when the two becomes one.

In this psalm, David gives us a sense of a passionate and ardent love he has for God where he constantly longs and pines for his Lord. He declares his love for God as if he wouldn’t be able to live without his presence. This is what two people get into when they vowed to love one another in marriage. They are no longer two but one. This must be the reason why widows’ and widowers’ losses are considered one of the gravest losses one can ever experience because the oneness becomes dissolved from death. Even divorce between the couple can bear much painful grief because of the breaking of the union.

REFLECTION

·       How does God’s steadfast love lead a believer to worship and praise the Lord?