January 31
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MY HELP COMES FROM THE LORD
I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come?
2 My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth.
3 He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber.
4 Behold, he who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.
5 The LORD is your keeper; the LORD is your shade on your right hand.
6 The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night.
7 The LORD will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life.
8 The LORD will keep your going out and your coming in
From this time forth and forevermore. -Psalm 121:1-8
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This psalm is a confidence song of those who make the pilgrim to Jerusalem, the top of the hill. It keeps the pilgrim encouraged to keep on looking at the top of the hill instead of focusing on the other elements of the travel that will keep them distracted to finish the journey. It is the same with our walk with Jesus. If we keep our eyes on Christ, we will receive the help we need and the sustenance to endure. God doesn’t sleep, He watches over us and keeps us away from all the distractions in life if we abide in him. He wants us to finish the race and hand us the reward at the end.
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ADORATION: Praise you O my God who never slumbers but always keeps watch on his people. You grant us all the love and protection we need. We adore you and bless you.
CONFESSION: Whenever I allow myself to be distracted by worldly stuff, forgive me Lord. I repent of idols that I unknowingly pay attention. Forgive me when I remove my eyes on you.
THANKSGIVING: Thank you for your love and unfailing mercy and grace.
SUPPLICATION: May all believers remember to constantly fix their eyes on you. May all idols be smashed so that there will be no other distractions that hinders our intimacy with you, my Lord and my God.
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REFLECTION
• How can we constantly keep our eyes on the Lord in this very busy and chaotic world?
• What are the distractions you struggle with in your daily life?
Monthly Archives: January 2020
TREMBLE AT THE PRESENCE OF THE LORD Poem Devotional
January 30
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TREMBLE AT THE PRESENCE OF THE LORD
When Israel went out from Egypt,
The house of Jacob from a people of strange language,
2 Judah became his sanctuary, Israel his dominion.
3 The sea looked and fled; Jordan turned back.
4 The mountains skipped like rams, the hills like lambs.
5 What ails you, O sea, that you flee? O Jordan, that you turn back?
6 O mountains, that you skip like rams? O hills, like lambs?
7 Tremble, O earth, at the presence of the Lord,
At the presence of the God of Jacob,
8 Who turns the rock into a pool of water,
The flint into a spring of water. -Psalm 114:1-8
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This hymn praises what God has done for the Israelites. Verse 3 recalls those two times that the Red Sea and the river Jordan was parted just so the Israelites can run and be rescued from their enemies. It is a reminder how God takes care of his people and how powerful he is that he can command any of his creation to turn into something that it isn’t. The flint in verse 8 is a very hard variety of quartz that was abundant in those times and could be broken into sharp pieces and used to make tools, knives and weapons. Even something as hard as this, God can turn into a spring of water. Let us tremble at the presence of such power.
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ADORATION: Praise the Lord who is mighty and powerful, who can turn anything into something else. O come, let us adore the God who protects and faithfully loves his people.
CONFESSION: Forgive me Lord whenever I do not tremble at your presence and take all that you have done for me for granted.
THANKSGIVING: I am so grateful for your thoughtfulness and generosity at providing for all things that I need even before I ask for it.
SUPPLICATION: May we never forget the miracles or the little things we don’t recognize that are the ways that God protects and cares for his people.
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REFLECTION
• What happens when we don’t tremble at the presence of the Lord?
I WILL WALK WITH INTEGRITY Poem Devotional
January 29
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I WILL WALK WITH INTEGRITY
I will sing of steadfast love and justice; to you, O LORD, I will make music.
2 I will ponder the way that is blameless. Oh when will you come to me?
I will walk with integrity of heart within my house;
3 I will not set before my eyes anything that is worthless.
I hate the work of those who fall away; it shall not cling to me.
4 A perverse heart shall be far from me; I will know nothing of evil.
5 Whoever slanders his neighbor secretly, I will destroy.
Whoever has a haughty look and an arrogant heart, I will not endure.
6 I will look with favor on the faithful in the land, that they may dwell with me;
He who walks in the way that is blameless shall minister to me.
7 No one who practices deceit shall dwell in my house;
No one who utters lies, shall continue before my eyes.
8 Morning by morning I will destroy all the wicked in the land,
Cutting off all the evildoers from the city of the LORD. -Psalm 101:1-8
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This psalm is an oath of David to God to ensure that his kingdom will exercise integrity. David’s biggest strength is his honesty and integrity. Despite his weaknesses, he is a king who is faithful to the Lord and wants to ensure that his house and kingdom do the same. He talks about not being able to tolerate evil wherever he is ruling. His love for righteousness is clearly the trait that identifies him as the worthy to be Jesus’ ancestor.
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ADORATION: Praise to you the God who makes us walk in righteousness. You are the only one who is without sin. You are Worthy. We adore you our Lord and Savior.
CONFESSION: Grant me mercy each time I fail to walk the straight path of righteousness.
THANKSGIVING: Thank you Lord for giving me choices to choose the right way through Jesus Christ’s example.
SUPPLICATION: May all believers recognize that the only way to the way, the truth and the life is through a blameless and pure life.
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REFLECTION
• Why is it such a challenge to live a life of integrity in this fallen world?
• How can we exercise honesty even though no one sees us?
RESCUE THE WEAK AND NEEDY Poem Devotional
January 28
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RESCUE THE WEAK AND NEEDY
God has taken his place in the divine council;
In the midst of the gods he holds judgment:
2 “How long will you judge unjustly and show partiality to the wicked?
3 Give justice to the weak and the fatherless;
Maintain the right of the afflicted and the destitute.
4 Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.”
5 They have neither knowledge nor understanding, they walk about in darkness;
All the foundations of the earth are shaken.
6 I said, “You are gods, sons of the Most High, all of you;
7 Nevertheless, like men you shall die, and fall like any prince.”
8 Arise, O God, judge the earth; for you shall inherit all the nations!
-Psalm 82:1-8
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In the book of Chronicles, it is said that Asaph was a descendant of Gershon the son of Levi. He is also known as one of the three Levites commissioned by David to be in charge of singing in the house of Yahweh. According to the ESV study bible notes, Asaph wrote this psalm to God as a community lament with a request on behalf of the whole people. It teaches God’s people to aim to have an ideal society, with their justice visible for all to see. This way, all nations might come to know the one true God. In a corrupt world we live in, this is a reminder for all human rulers and judges (referred to as “gods) that they are accountable to a divine heavenly King, higher than all of them, to bring justice to all.
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ADORATION: Praise you Lord for your just treatment of all. You are Worthy of all praise
CONFESSION: Forgive me when I mistreat anyone because they are different from me.
THANKSGIVING: Thank you for your magnificent creation of man, each one unique.
SUPPLICATION: May all rulers and judges recognize that they are accountable to someone higher than themselves and lead with the same fairness that you rule.
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REFLECTION
• Why do you think God is so concerned that justice prevail in the world?
• What is the responsibility of the justice system or sovereignty when they lead the system or monarchy? What is the subjects responsibility on the other hand?
LEAD ME TO THE ROCK Poem Devotional
January 27
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LEAD ME TO THE ROCK
Hear my cry, O God, listen to my prayer;
2 From the end of the earth I call to you when my heart is faint.
Lead me to the rock that is higher than I,
3 For you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the enemy.
4 Let me dwell in your tent forever!
Let me take refuge under the shelter of your wings!
5 For you, O God, have heard my vows;
You have given me the heritage of those who fear your name
6 Prolong the life of the king; may his years endure to all generations!
7 May he be enthroned forever before God;
Appoint steadfast love and faithfulness to watch over him!
8 So will I ever sing praises to your name,
As I perform my vows day after day. -Psalm 61:1-8
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In this psalm, we witness how intimate David’s relationship with God is. He talks to him as someone who would talk to a friend who is so close and dear to him. David humbly acknowledges his status quo which is someone who is desperately in need of protection and strength. His dependence on God’s strength as he calls him the rock higher than him is something each believer should emulate. Le us always remember that we are nothing without God’s unwavering love and faithfulness.
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ADORATION: Praise the Lord for his steadfast love that endures forever. Blessed be the God who exudes all the love in all of his creation. I sing praise to your name.
CONFESSION: Pardon me Lord when I forget to walk intimately with you or run to the rock that is higher than me.
THANKSGIVING: Thank you for giving me an inheritance that you also gave your Son.
SUPPLICATION: May all your people continue to be faithful to focus on the only source of power, strength and resources. May all Christians look up to only you, Lord.
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REFLECTION
• What makes David’s relationship with God so unique? How is his dependence on God so moving? Are there kings and queens today who is like David?
SAVE ME, O MY GOD Poem Devotional
January 26
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SAVE ME, O MY GOD
O LORD, how many are my foes! Many are rising against me;
2 Many are saying of my soul, “There is no salvation for him in God.”
3 But you, O LORD, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head.
4 I cried aloud to the LORD, and he answered me from his holy hill.
5 I lay down and slept; I woke again, for the LORD sustained me.
6 I will not be afraid of many thousands of people
Who have set themselves against me all around.7 Arise, O LORD! Save me, O my God!
For you strike all my enemies on the cheek; you break the teeth of the wicked.
8 Salvation belongs to the LORD; your blessing be on your people!
– Psalm 3:1-8
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It must be heart breaking to know that your own son is wanting to have you killed! This was the psalm that David wrote when he ran from Absalom’s rebellion. Absalom took justice in his own hand by killing Amnon his brother, who raped his own sister Tamar. Because David did not do anything about confronting what his son Amnon did, dis angered Absalom and motivated him to kill him. Despite all of this, David prayed hard that his son be not harmed and ordered his army not to hurt him. In this psalm, we witness David’s heart after God’s own heart. He trusted that God will resolve all.
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ADORATION: We exult you O Lord! You are the One who has power and might to bring justice to all situations. You are omnipotent and omniscient. Praise you Lord.
CONFESSION: Whenever I forget to run to you and do things on my own, grant me forgiveness. Have mercy on me when I act independently from you.
THANKSGIVING: Thank you for all the protection you give those who love you.
SUPPLICATION: May we have the mind of Christ especially in the midst of our trials and sufferings. May we have the humility to run to our heavenly Father especially when we are in trouble and in pain.
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REFLECTION
• Why is running to God a great picture of humility and dependence?
• Why is God-dependence better than independence?
• How can running from someone’s wrath be a better option than facing it?
YOU ARE MY REFUGE Poem Devotional
January 25
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YOU ARE MY REFUGE
With my voice I cry out to the LORD; with my voice I plead for mercy to the LORD.
2 I pour out my complaint before him; I tell my trouble before him.
3 When my spirit faints within me, you know my way!
In the path where I walk they have hidden a trap for me.
4 Look to the right and see: there is none who takes notice of me;
No refuge remains to me; no one cares for my soul.
5 I cry to you, O LORD; I say, “You are my refuge,
My portion in the land of the living.”
6 Attend to my cry, for I am brought very low!
Deliver me from my persecutors, for they are too strong for me!
7 Bring me out of prison, that I may give thanks to your name!
The righteous will surround me, for you will deal bountifully with me.
-Psalm 142:1-7
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In this psalm, David flees from Saul into a cave. He must have been so discouraged after finding out that his loyalty to Saul have been returned with a threat to be killed. Saul’s jealousy over David’s strength, power, anointing and charisma with the people drove Saul to desire him killed. Despite the discouragement, we hear David’s dependence on God, that God is his refuge. What a close relationship he had with the Lord! He can be honest and open about what he feels and how weak and tired he was, and yet trust God fully.
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ADORATION: Praise the Lord for his unwavering faithfulness and love for all his people.
CONFESSION: Forgive me each time I am not honest with you about how I feel when I am discouraged and frustrated.
THANKSGIVING: I am forever grateful for all the strength and encouragement you bring me whenever I need it.
SUPPLICATION: May each believer have the humility and vulnerability to admit their weaknesses and let the Lord take over in times of danger and threat.
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REFLECTION
• Why was David fleeing from Saul when he can actually defend himself easily because he is stronger than him? What was his special relationship with God?
DELIVER ME FROM LYING LIPS AND DECEITFUL TONGUE Poem Devotional
January 24
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DELIVER ME FROM LYING LIPS AND DECEITFUL TONGUE
In my distress I called to the LORD, and he answered me.
2 Deliver me, O LORD, from lying lips, from a deceitful tongue.
3 What shall be given to you, and what more shall be done to you, you, deceitful tongue?
4 A warrior’s sharp arrows, with glowing coals of the broom tree!
5 Woe to me, that I sojourn in Meshech, that I dwell among the tents of Kedar!
6 Too long have I had my dwelling among those who hate peace.
7 I am for peace, but when I speak, they are for war! – Psalm 120:1-7
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This Psalm is an individual lament sung by someone living away from Israel (v.5). The psalmist weeps over those people who constantly seek to lie and pursue wars and conflicts. He wants peace so he even went away from such high conflict people, but the effect of living with such kind of evil is not unnoticed. In the first verse, he recalls how the Lord has delivered him in the past from such circumstances and pleads for deliverance from such situations and conflict lovers. I could easily identify with the psalmist. I have loved ones who just loves do fight for the sake of being right or just to prove how much better they are from others. It is an exhausting task to love people like this, but we are commanded to love all, especially those who are difficult and makes an enemy of us. I do my best to justify the reasons for their insecurities and pray for freedom from that bondage for all those who embrace a life of conflict. I have been there and I know how hard it is to cling to self-protection or mistrust. When I learned my true identity in Jesus, I didn’t have to continue being imprisoned by proving my self-worth.
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ADORATION: Praise you Jesus, for your faithful love that endures forever.
CONFESSION: Forgive me when I engage in conflict and anger to defend myself. You are my defender and I need not say a thing to explain.
THANKSGIVING: Thank you for being the epitome of unconditional.
SUPPLICATION: May all believers remember to surrender to God who is “love” himself.
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REFLECTION
• How do we deal with people who constantly lie to us? Should we just be silent?
• What is the antidote to those who love to argue and engage others in conflict?
• What other verses in the bible can we dwell on when faced with conflicts?
January 22
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GLORIOUS THINGS OF YOU ARE SPOKEN
On the holy mount stands the city he founded;
2 The LORD loves the gates of Zion more than all the dwelling places of Jacob.
3 Glorious things of you are spoken, O city of God.
4 Among those who know me I mention Rahab and Babylon;
Behold, Philistia and Tyre, with Cush— “This one was born there,” they say.
5 And of Zion it shall be said, “This one and that one were born in her”
For the Most High himself will establish her.
6 The LORD records as he registers the peoples, “This one was born there.”
7 Singers and dancers alike say, “All my springs are in you.” – Psalm 87:1-7
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The first section of this psalm focuses on how glorious things are spoken of God’s dwelling place, the city of God.
According to the ESV bible study notes, the second section is startling as one expects a reference to those who know me, but the list is composed of Gentile nations. Yet, the Most High himself will establish Zion, in order to allow the peoples to be treated as born in her, as Israelites. When the people of God sings this psalm, they stay focused on their God-given purpose, to be a light for the Gentiles (Psalm 86:8-10).
It is interesting how in God’s glory, he is still all-inclusive of all peoples. He wants everyone to be saved and return to him.
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ADORATION: I glorify you O Lord God. I praise your name for you are Most High. I love to talk about how glorious you are to all peoples, especially to those who don’t know you.
CONFESSION: Forgive me when I forget to act according to the image you made me. Sometimes I let my nature dictate my actions.
THANKSGIVING: Thank you for choosing me to be one of your people. It is such an honor and a privilege to work for your glory.
SUPPLICATION: Grant me mercy to continue to be the light to this corrupt world and obey your will always.
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REFLECTION
• How can we as believers be always aware to stay focused on our purpose to be the light for the unbelievers? What do we need to do to stay on track?
MAKE YOUR FACE SHINE UPON US
January 21
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MAKE YOUR FACE SHINE UPON US
May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face to shine upon us,
2 That your way may be known on earth, your saving power among all nations.
3 Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you!
4 Let the nations be glad and sing for joy, for you judge the peoples with equity
And guide the nations upon earth. 5 Let the peoples praise you, O God;
Let all the peoples praise you!6 The earth has yielded its increase;
God, our God, shall bless us.7 God shall bless us;
Let all the ends of the earth fear him! – Psalm 67:1-7
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ESV Study bible notes that this psalm is a prayer that God will bless Israel with a fruitful harvest (v.6) so that the rest of the world may come to know the true God. Singing this helps Israel to keep its own calling in view; their blessing is not simply for themselves but for the Gentiles to see.
It is interesting to know that the Israelites asks the Lord to bless them so that they can reflect to the Gentiles the face of God.
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ADORATION: May your face shine upon us, glorious God! Praise be to you, who is the only source of Light and Life. We adore and glorify you. You are the God of all creation, the All-Seeing and All-powerful God.
CONFESSION: Forgive me when I forget to shine your light on others, especially when I am not able to bless others with the bounty you have given me. Forgive me when I fail to do the right thing and follow my natural inclination.
THANKSGIVING: Thank you for the many things you have given me, the natural and spiritual gifts that you generously endowed upon me. Thank you for choosing me to be one of your people who can shine your light on others.
SUPPLICATION: Let me not forget to remember to bless others with the blessings I receive from you. May all believers watch their hearts so that they can be light for Jesus.
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REFLECTION
• Why is it important for us to share the blessings that we have received from the Lord to others?
• What happens when we don’t reflect Jesus’ light in our lives?