April 20
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HEAR THE DESIRE OF THE AFFLICTED
10 The helpless are crushed, sink down, and fall by his might.
11 He says in his heart, “God has forgotten, he has hidden his face, he will never see it.”
12 Arise, O LORD; O God, lift up your hand; forget not the afflicted.
13 Why does the wicked renounce God
And say in his heart, “You will not call to account”?
14 But you do see, for you note mischief and vexation,
That you may take it into your hands; to you the helpless commits himself;
You have been the helper of the fatherless.15 Break the arm of the wicked and evildoer;
Call his wickedness to account till you find none.16 The LORD is king forever and ever;
The nations perish from his land.17 O LORD, you hear the desire of the afflicted;
You will strengthen their heart; you will incline your ear
18 To do justice to the fatherless and the oppressed,
So that man who is of the earth may strike terror no more. – Psalm 10:10-18
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According to the ESV student study bible, as the wicked person oppresses the faithful, he assumes that God has forgotten them-that God is indifferent to their suffering. The faithful mention this to God, asking him to show the wicked that he has not, in fact forgotten his people (vv12-14). The ensuing verses call God to action and to confront the evil things done to those who are helpless. The fatherless and the oppressed were mentioned in verse 18 as in those times, the Old Testament law is full of warning about oppressing such people as the fatherless (Exodus 22:22 and Deuteronomy 10:18). The cry for God to deliver these oppressed people from evil is their faith that God is king forever and that He will keep his promise to his people.
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ADORATION: Praise the Lord, who is king forever and ever.
CONFESSION: Lord, help those vulnerable and weak people to be protected from evil.
THANKSGIVING: Thank you for giving me an occasion to witness suffering so I can pray for those who are persecuted, oppressed and discriminated.
SUPPLICATION: May all God’s people continue to believe and hope despite trials.
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REFLECTION
• How can a plea for the vulnerable play a big role in their deliverance?
Monthly Archives: April 2020
TEACH US TO NUMBER OUR DAYS ILMA’S VLOG
April 18
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TEACH US TO NUMBER OUR DAYS
10 The years of our life are seventy, or even by reason of strength eighty;
Yet their span is but toil and trouble; They are soon gone, and we fly away.
11 Who considers the power of your anger, and your wrath according to the fear of you? 12 So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.
13 Return, O LORD! How long? Have pity on your servants!
14 Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love,
That we may rejoice and be glad all our days.
15 Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us,
And for as many years as we have seen evil.16 Let your work be shown to your servants,
And your glorious power to their children.
17 Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us,
And establish the work of our hands upon us; yes, establish the work of our hands!
– Psalm 90: 10-17
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In this psalm, Moses pleads the Lord to have pity on his servants. In verse 15, he asks the Lord to show them mercy and replace all their afflictions with gladness. Before Moses’ time, people lived longer lives from 300-600 years, but because of people’s wickedness, God shortened the lifespan of humans which Moses refers to in verse 10. He longs for God to give his people wisdom how to live their short lives compared to their ancestors so that they can have a heart of wisdom. He desperately pleads God to have pity on his servants and bring back favor on them. Shouldn’t we all pray this psalm for all of mankind these days as we suffer God’s wrath for all of our sins of disobedience, rebellion, idolatry and unfaithfulness. Do you think this global pandemic is a call to remembrance of all God’s miracles in the past and how we need to bring our hearts to God in this short life?
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ADORATION: Praise the Lord who have created us and who is steadfast in His love.
CONFESSION: Forgive the whole of humankind for all of our sins; Free us from your wrath.
THANKSGIVING: Thank you for calling our attention to repent and return to you.
SUPPLICATION: May all people confess that God is in control of all things.
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REFLECTION
• Why is Moses pleading God to teach them to number their days?
FROM EVERLASTING TO EVERLASTING ILMA’S VLOG
April 17
________________________________________FROM EVERLASTING TO EVERLASTING
Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations.
2 Before the mountains were brought forth,
Or ever you had formed the earth and the world,
From everlasting to everlasting, you are God. 3 You return man to dust
And say, “Return, O children of man!” 4 For a thousand years in your sight
Are but as yesterday when it is past, or as a watch in the night.
5 You sweep them away as with a flood; they are like a dream,
Like grass that is renewed in the morning: 6 in the morning it flourishes and is renewed;
In the evening it fades and withers.7 For we are brought to an end by your anger;
By your wrath we are dismayed.8 You have set our iniquities before you,
Our secret sins in the light of your presence.
9 For all our days pass away under your wrath; we bring our years to an end like a sigh.
– Psalm 90:1-9
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This community lament is written by Moses, probably during the time of Deuteronomy, as they were about to cross the Jordan River and enter the Promised Land. This lament is addressed to the next generation after Moses have led the people, which are their parents out of Egypt through the crossing of the Red Sea which was parted for them- and yet they rebelled, so God swore that they would not ever the land (Numbers 14:20-36). The psalm recalls how God have been their dwelling place in all these generations and admits their rebellion. As a consequence of such lawlessness, they are suffering the wrath of God.
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ADORATION: You are a God from everlasting to everlasting. You are the alpha and omega.
CONFESSION: Forgive me Lord, when I unknowingly rebel against you.
THANKSGIVING: Thank you for your faithfulness even though at times I am not loyal.
SUPPLICATION: May all God’s people remember what God has done for their ancestors and live in obedience to God’s laws.
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REFLECTION
• Why is it pointless to hide sins from God? What is the importance of confession and repentance in a believer’s life?
TEACH ME YOUR WAYS THAT I MAY WALK IN TRUTH ILMA’S VLOG
April 16
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TEACH ME YOUR WAYS THAT I MAY WALK IN TRUTH
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.
14 O God, insolent men have risen up against me; a band of ruthless men seeks my life,
And they do not set you before them.15But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious,
Slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.
16 Turn to me and be gracious to me; give your strength to your servant,
And save the son of your maidservant.17 Show me a sign of your favor,
That those who hate me may see and be put to shame
Because you, LORD, have helped me and comforted me. – Psalm 86:10-17
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David’s prayer manifests his wisdom and intimate relationship with the Lord in this psalm. He praises his Lord be declaring his Master’s wondrous deeds and how God is the only true God. His humble stance to ask the Lord to teach him is something that all Christians should emulate. He is full of steadfast love and David constantly pleads the Lord to keep him united to his God. A thankful attitude in verse 12 and counting his blessings on the ensuing verses is another evidence how his heart seeks and pursues God’s own heart always. No matter how the situation is, he can still get comfort and be at peace because in the past, the Lord had always helped and comforted him. He is sure that his God will never let him go without help and protection.
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ADORATION: Our God, is the best teacher to all of those who love him. Praise the Lord.
CONFESSION: Forgive me Lord, when I do not rely on your word for guidance.
THANKSGIVING: Thank you for giving us access to Scriptures so easily when others don’t know about it.
SUPPLICATION: May all Christians walk in truth and love and in the Spirit.
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REFLECTION
• Why do Christians still not seek truth even when they are available to them?
YOU O LORD ARE GOOD AND FORGIVING ILMA’S VLOG
April 15
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YOU O LORD ARE GOOD AND FORGIVING
Incline your ear, O LORD, and answer me, for I am poor and needy.
2 Preserve my life, for I am godly; save your servant, who trusts in you—you are my God.
3 Be gracious to me, O Lord, for to you do I cry all the day.
4 Gladden the soul of your servant, for to you, O Lord, do I lift up my soul.
5 For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving,
Abounding in steadfast love to all who call upon you.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.– Psalm 86:1-9
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The ESV student study bible says that this is an individual lament of David in a situation win which a band of insolent men seek his life. It confesses of God’s goodness and mercy. He also acknowledges in verse 5 that his own sins may have contributed to his enemies’ plans. I love how David honestly runs to the Lord for help and acknowledging his neediness. His trust in the Lord is astounding and so is his deep knowledge of the character of the God he serves. He is confident that because of God’s goodness and mercy, he will deliver him from these men seeking to kill him. His humble heart has never failed to confess and admit his sinfulness, yet it never stopped him from depending on God and hoping that God will keep his promise to redeem and protect his beloved faithful servants.
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ADORATION: Praise be to the God who is the Good and full of forgiveness. Bless his heart.
CONFESSION: Lord, you are the God who saves and graciously grant mercy.
THANKSGIVING: Thank you for always being there for me especially when I need protection and deliverance.
SUPPLICATION: May all God’s people have a dependence and confidence in the Lord.
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REFLECTION
• How can we develop confidence instead of succumbing to fear in times of trouble?
• What do you think is David’s secret in asking boldly the Lord for help?
DELIVER & PROTECT ME FROM MY ENEMIES ILMA’S VLOG
April 13
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DELIVER & PROTECT ME FROM MY ENEMIES
Deliver me from my enemies, O my God; protect me from those who rise up against me;
2 Deliver me from those who work evil, and save me from bloodthirsty men.
3 For behold, they lie in wait for my life; fierce men stir up strife against me.
For no transgression or sin of mine, O LORD,
4 For no fault of mine, they run and make ready. Awake, come to meet me, and see!
5 You, LORD God of hosts, are God of Israel. Rouse yourself to punish all the nations;
Spare none of those who treacherously plot evil. 6 Each evening they come back,
Howling like dogs and prowling about the city.
7 There they are, bellowing with their mouths with swords in their lips—
For “Who,” they think, “will hear us?”8 But you, O LORD, laugh at them;
You hold all the nations in derision.9 O my Strength, I will watch for you,
For you, O God, are my fortress. – Psalm 59:1-9
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In 1 Samuel 19, we hear an account how Saul tries to kill David. He even talked to his son Jonathan who was a friend to David to plot for his life. But Jonathan warned David so he fled from Saul. In verse 11, Saul sent messengers to David’s house to watch him, that he might kill him in the morning, but David’s wife, Michal told her father’s plot to kill him, so David fled through the window that night. In this psalm, David pleads to God to be delivered from these enemies who want so much to kill him. He describes how they are bloodthirsty and howling like dogs and prowling about the city. We still witness David’s trust and dependence on God despite all these evil and wicked men who want him dead. He declares that God is his fortress and he is confident that he will be protected and delivered from these enemies by his faithful God.
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ADORATION: Praise the Lord, our faithful protector and deliverer. He is mighty to save.
CONFESSION: Forgive me when I succumb to panic or fear when I am attacked by evil.
THANKSGIVING: Thank you for your steadfast love and protection.
SUPPLICATION: May all God’s people remember to run to him for deliverance and victory over the plots of the enemy.
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REFLECTION
• How do you deal with people who scheme and plot evil to you?
I WILL CAUSE YOUR NAME TO BE REMEMBERED ILMA’S VLOG
April 12
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I WILL CAUSE YOUR NAME TO BE REMEMBERED
10 Hear, O daughter, and consider, and incline your ear:
Forget your people and your father’s house,11and the king will desire your beauty.
Since he is your lord, bow to him.12 The people of Tyre will seek your favor with gifts,
The richest of the people. 13 All glorious is the princess in her chamber,
With robes interwoven with gold. 14 in many-colored robes she is led to the king,
With her virgin companions following behind her.
15 With joy and gladness they are led along as they enter the palace of the king.
16 In place of your fathers shall be your sons; you will make them princes in all the earth.
17 I will cause your name to be remembered in all generations;
Therefore nations will praise you forever and ever. – Psalm 45:10-17
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This hymn celebrates a royal wedding and in verse 10-12 the song turns to the bride. Her loyalty now is to her husband, the king and no longer to her father’s house. The song speaks of the king’s enduring line. The marriage of a Davidic king is not a private matter. It is crucial for the fulfilling of God’s promises, not simply to Israel but to the nations.
In this psalm, we see how the princess is encouraged to be loyal to her king because she isn’t in her father’s house anymore. It shows that she is to submit to her king and her sons will be the replacement for her father. It is essential that she contributes for her king to be remembered.
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ADORATION: Praise the Lord, the king of heaven and earth.
CONFESSION: Forgive me Lord each time I don’t follow authority.
THANKSGIVING: Thank you for giving us leaders who can rule over us.
SUPPLICATION: May all people submit to their rulers and leaders as they would to the Lord Jesus Christ.
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REFLECTION
• Why should women submit to their husbands and be faithful to them? Why is a woman’s submission to her husband essential in a marriage?
YOUR THRONE, O GOD, IS FOREVER ILMA’S VLOG
April 11
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YOUR THRONE, O GOD, IS FOREVER
My heart overflows with a pleasing theme; I address my verses to the king;
My tongue is like the pen of a ready scribe.
2 You are the most handsome of the sons of men; grace is poured upon your lips;
Therefore God has blessed you forever.3 Gird your sword on your thigh, O mighty one,
In your splendor and majesty! 4 In your majesty ride out victoriously
For the cause of truth and meekness and righteousness;
Let your right hand teach you awesome deeds! 5 Your arrows are sharp
In the heart of the king’s enemies; the peoples fall under you.
6 Your throne, O God, is forever and ever.
The scepter of your kingdom is a scepter of uprightness;
7 You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness.
Therefore God, your God, has anointed you
With the oil of gladness beyond your companions;
8 Your robes are all fragrant with myrrh and aloes and cassia.
From ivory palaces stringed instruments make you glad;
9 Daughters of kings are among your ladies of honor;
At your right hand stands the queen in gold of Ophir. – Psalm 45:1-9
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According to the ESV student study bible this psalm is a hymn written by the Sons of Korah and celebrates a royal wedding. The words of this song are addressed to the king. It speaks to the king, praising him for his appearance and gracious speech (v2), military power (v3) and commitment to promoting justice (v4) These ideals are what lead to God’s blessing for the king and to the king’s own respected position in the world.
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ADORATION: Your throne O Lord stands forever. You are the King of kings. Praise to you.
CONFESSION: The Lord anoints those kings whom he chose to lead his people.
THANKSGIVING: Thank you Lord for the leaders who reigns over us.
SUPPLICATION: May all leaders bow down to the real and true King Jesus. May all leaders have integrity to lead their people and maintain peace.
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REFLECTION
• Why is it important for all of God’s people to pray for all their leaders?
MAKE HASTE TO HELP ME O LORD ILMA’S VLOG
April 10
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MAKE HASTE TO HELP ME O LORD
11 As for you, O LORD, you will not restrain your mercy from me;
Your steadfast love and your faithfulness will ever preserve me!
12 For evils have encompassed me beyond number;
My iniquities have overtaken me, and I cannot see;
They are more than the hairs of my head; my heart fails me.
13 Be pleased, O LORD, to deliver me! O LORD, make haste to help me!
14 Let those be put to shame and disappointed altogether
Who seek to snatch away my life;
Let those be turned back and brought to dishonor who delight in my hurt!
15 Let those be appalled because of their shame who say to me, “Aha, Aha!”
16 But may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you;
May those who love your salvation say continually, “Great is the LORD!”
17 As for me, I am poor and needy, but the Lord takes thought for me.
You are my help and my deliverer; do not delay, O my God! – Psalm 40: 11-17
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“Make haste to help me, O Lord” seems like David is asking God to hurry up and rescue him. Some religious and legalistic people may seem that this is inappropriate for a servant of the Lord to command his Master and Lord. If you do not take this phrase out of context, you will see how much David knows his Master so well. He is confident that the Lord he serves is someone who made a lot of promises to him that he is sure to receive. It almost illustrates the relationship between a father and his child. His child knows that because his father loves him or her so much, he is able to ask anything from him that will be a deliverance from his enemies. He knows that the father will protect him. That is probably how God wants us all to come to him and ask confidently what he is willing to give us.
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ADORATION: Praise the Father, who is the greatest of all fathers.
CONFESSION: Forgive me when I do not intimately relate with you.
THANKSGIVING: Thank you for constantly being there for me, Lord.
SUPPLICATION: May we get intimate with our knowledge of our loving heavenly Father.
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REFLECTION
• What made David confident in asking God to urgently help him?