March 19
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PSALM 144 BLESSED BE THE LORD, MY ROCK
Blessed be the LORD, my rock, who trains my hands for war,
and my fingers for battle;2 he is my steadfast love and my fortress,
my stronghold and my deliverer, my shield and he in whom I take refuge,
who subdues peoples under me.3 O LORD, what is man that you regard him,
or the son of man that you think of him?
4 Man is like a breath; his days are like a passing shadow.
5 Bow your heavens, O LORD, and come down!
Touch the mountains so that they smoke!
6 Flash forth the lightning and scatter them; send out your arrows and rout them!
7 Stretch out your hand from on high; rescue me
and deliver me from the many waters, from the hand of foreigners,
8 whose mouths speak lies and whose right hand
is a right hand of falsehood. – Psalm 144: 1-8
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THE LORD TRAINS HIS PEOPLE FOR BATTLE by ILMA
My Lord is my rock and my shield, he protects me
He is my stronghold and deliverer, he defends me
He ensures that his people are trained for warfare
God fully gives us his word for instructions to follow
Though we may not physically see these unseen forces
He exposes their tactics and schemes for our awareness
Even though man is just a minute part of his creation
God our Lord treasures him as his own possession
From his throne, he provided a solution to our sins
He stretched out his hand to rescue and keep us free
The Lord has given us his own Spirit to guide our path
Why would we even think we can go our own way?
He trains us when he gave us his commands
We can win by simply following his will and laws
Go and wear God’s full armor and be ready for war
He has equipped his people for he himself is our rock.
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REFLECTION
• How has God equipped you to face the battles you face on a regular basis?
Monthly Archives: March 2022
PSALM 60 RESTORE US O LORD
March 18
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PSALM 60 RESTORE US O LORD
O God, you have rejected us, broken our defenses; you have been angry; oh, restore us.
2 You have made the land to quake; you have torn it open; repair its breaches, for it totters.3 You have made your people see hard things; you have given us wine to drink that made us stagger.4 You have set up a banner for those who fear you, that they may flee to it from the bow. Selah 5 That your beloved ones may be delivered, give salvation by your right hand and answer us! 6 God has spoken in his holiness: “With exultation I will divide up Shechem and portion out the Vale of Succoth. 7 Gilead is mine; Manasseh is mine; Ephraim is my helmet; Judah is my scepter. 8 Moab is my washbasin; upon Edom I cast my shoe; over Philistia I shout in triumph.” 9 Who will bring me to the fortified city? Who will lead me to Edom? 10 Have you not rejected us, O God? You do not go forth, O God, with our armies. 11 Oh, grant us help against the foe, for vain is the salvation of man! 12 With God we shall do valiantly; it is he who will tread down our foes. – Psalm 60:1-12
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WITH GOD WE SHALL DO VALIANTLY by ILMA
O my Lord, it seems like you have made us defenseless
Forgive us when we do not run to you for deliverance
We are weak and unable to follow your commandments
You have clearly given us so much love in your covenant.
Yet, we become so weak and powerless to do anything good
Only you Lord can enable us to follow and keep our vows
With God, we shall do valiantly because he is Almighty
Without him, we cannot even fight and triumph over evil.
He is the only one who can restore and deliver us
Lord, help us to heed your will and constantly trust
Give us wisdom to be able to resist the enemy’s ploy
You are the source of strength and the power to destroy.
Lord, we seek your protection from these unseen forces
You are all-seeing and all-knowing! Give us all resources
With God, all of us will do valiantly; trust the Lord constantly
Worship the one who can rescue, deliver and give us victory.
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REFLECTION
• What do you think verse 11 means when it says “vain is the salvation of man?”
PSALM 40 SPEAK OF GOD’S FAITHFULNESS AND SALVATION
March 17
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PSALM 40 SPEAK OF GOD’S FAITHFULNESS AND SALVATION
9 I have told the glad news of deliverance in the great congregation; behold, I have not restrained my lips, as you know, O LORD. 10 I have not hidden your deliverance within my heart; I have spoken of your faithfulness and your salvation; I have not concealed your steadfast love and your faithfulness from the great congregation. 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 40:9-17
________________________________________PROCLAIMING GOD’S DELIVERANCE by ILMA
O Lord, I am forever grateful to be delivered from sin
Your steadfast love sustains me and is so amazing
Your faithfulness keeps me stable and preserves me
Grace and mercy abound when we confess and repent.
Though my iniquities can be overwhelming at times
You never failed to forgive and extend your mercy to me
I will proclaim to the congregation of your goodness
Let all the nations know your righteousness.
Great is the Lord who thinks of me who is not worthy
He is the source of my help and deliverance
I will never get tired to speaking of his miracles
I will forever serve my Lord, my God and my all.
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REFLECTION
• Why did the psalmist mention and admit that he is poor and needy in verse17? What does that tell us of the condition of his heart?
PSALM 40 DELIVERED FROM THE PIT OF DESTRUCTION
March 16
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PSALM 40 DELIVERED FROM THE PIT OF DESTRUCTION
I waited patiently for the LORD; he inclined to me and heard my cry.2 He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure. 3 He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the LORD. 4 Blessed is the man who makes the LORD his trust, who does not turn to the proud, to those who go astray after a lie! 5 You have multiplied, O LORD my God, your wondrous deeds and your thoughts toward us; none can compare with you! I will proclaim and tell of them, yet they are more than can be told. 6 In sacrifice and offering you have not delighted, but you have given me an open ear. Burnt offering and sin offering you have not required. 7 Then I said, “Behold, I have come; in the scroll of the book it is written of me: 8 I delight to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart.” – Psalm 40:1-8
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OUT OF THE PIT & INTO THE LIGHT by ILMA
I didn’t waver in getting closer to you and you heard my cry
Lord, you pulled me out of the pit of destruction into the light
I would still be in the hole if you didn’t give up your life to free me
You put a new song each day to me to remind me of that sacrifice.
O Lord my God, you have been so generous to shower us with gifts
Thank you for constantly amazing us with your wondrous deeds
I will forever be grateful for all the miracles you have done
Let me never forget them so I can always glorify you and your Son.
O Lord, you have taken delight in those who put their trust in you
Keep us away from all the distractions in this world that steals that
I love to follow your perfect law and obey everything you say in it
Help me never to be weak to compromise my love and relationships.
My Lord, please keep me focused on your kingdom instead of this world
Deliver me from the corruption that this world systems do to control
Keep my heart pure, longing to know you and constantly do your will
Let your light constantly shine on all your children so they can avoid sin.
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REFLECTION
• How can we constantly focus on God’s deliverance instead of being overwhelmed by the world system that we live in?
PSALM 115 THE LORD IS OUR HELP AND OUR SHIELD
March 14
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PSALM 115 THE LORD IS OUR HELP AND OUR SHIELD
10 O house of Aaron, trust in the LORD! He is their help and their shield.11 You who fear the LORD, trust in the LORD! He is their help and their shield. 12 The LORD has remembered us; he will bless us; he will bless the house of Israel; he will bless the house of Aaron;
13 he will bless those who fear the LORD, both the small and the great. 14 May the LORD
give you increase, you and your children!15 May you be blessed by the LORD, who made heaven and earth! 16 The heavens are the LORD’s heavens, but the earth he has given to the children of man. 17 The dead do not praise the LORD, nor do any who go down into
silence. 18 But we will bless the LORD from this time forth and forevermore. Praise the LORD! – Psalm 115:10-18
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PRAISE THE LORD WHO IS OUR HELP AND SHIELD by ILMA
Praise the Lord for he is our help and our defender
He protects us from all darts and arrows of the offender
Trust in the Lord, all you who belong to him
He is your shield against all of the enemy’s tactics
The Lord remembers us and never abandons us
You may not see how he does it; be devoted to trust
He is faithful and steadfast in his love; Go and praise him
He blesses all those who are devoted to give him glory
He will prosper you and all your children and their children
Never fail to worship him because he made you alive in Jesus
He gave you life and the earth to steward and care for
Why won’t your heart be in awe and constantly be thankful?
Bless the Lord from this time forth and forevermore
Do not be silent to proclaim his goodness to everyone
Proclaim his Good News to the ends of the earth
Give him all the adoration that he so much deserves
The Lord is faithful and steadfast in his love for us
He freed us from sin through Christ who is the ultimate sacrifice.
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REFLECTION
• How has the Lord manifest as the help and the shield in your life? Share some instances that he showed you how faithful he was to deliver and defend you.
PSALM 115 TO THE LORD BE ALL THE GLORY
March 13
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PSALM 115 TO THE LORD BE ALL THE GLORY
Not to us, O LORD, not to us, but to your name give glory,
for the sake of your steadfast love and your faithfulness!
2 Why should the nations say, “Where is their God?”
3 Our God is in the heavens he does all that he pleases.
4 Their idols are silver and gold, the work of human hands.
5 They have mouths, but do not speak; eyes, but do not see.
6 They have ears, but do not hear; noses, but do not smell.
7 They have hands, but do not feel; feet, but do not walk;
and they do not make a sound in their throat.
8 Those who make them become like them;
so do all who trust in them.
9 O Israel, trust in the LORD!
He is their help and their shield.
– Psalm 115:1-9
________________________________________THE FOLLY OF IDOLS by ILMA
To God, our Lord and Master be given all recognition
No other gods would be deserving of adoration
He made heaven and earth and all creatures on it
Without a doubt, we won’t have anything if not for him
Why would any man even think of making their idols?
It is futile to compete with a God who owns all things
How could man-made compare with divine creation?
It is pointless to even think of attempting competition
Though idols may look exemplary on the outside
They are hollow, empty and powerless on the inside
If you think that idols can make you be satisfied
What a lie it is to even think that it will gratify!
They may seem to meet your cravings for now
But it will only lead you to destruction and doom.
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REFLECTION
• What do idols represent in the heart of man? Why is it futile to hold on to idols?
PSALM 26 VINDICATE ME O, LORD
March 12
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PSALM 26 VINDICATE ME O, LORD
Vindicate me, O LORD, for I have walked in my integrity, and I have trusted in the LORD without wavering.2 Prove me, O LORD, and try me; test my heart and my mind.
3 For your steadfast love is before my eyes, and I walk in your faithfulness.4 I do not sit with men of falsehood, nor do I consort with hypocrites. 5 I hate the assembly of evildoers, and I will not sit with the wicked.6 I wash my hands in innocence and go around your altar, O LORD,7 proclaiming thanksgiving aloud, and telling all your wondrous deeds. 8 O LORD, I love the habitation of your house and the place where your glory dwells.9 Do not sweep my soul away with sinners, nor my life with bloodthirsty men,
10 in whose hands are evil devices, and whose right hands are full of bribes. 11 But as for me, I shall walk in my integrity; redeem me, and be gracious to me.
12 My foot stands on level ground; in the great assembly I will bless the LORD.
– Psalm 26:1-12
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A PLEA FOR VINDICATION by ILMA
O Lord, I plead you to vindicate me for I have walked uprightly
I have depended on you without wavering and so completely
I ask you Lord to verify and test my mind and heart
I walk faithfully with your Spirit, worshipping you in truth
I do not sit with those who choose to walk in wickedness
Instead, I expose all evil that compromise righteousness
I loathe those who plot evil and spread false teachings
I love to be in your communion of saints and sanctuary
Lord, deliver me from habitual sinners who don’t repent
Only in your grace will I be able not to be tempted
As for me, I will always serve you my Lord and my God
I will remain in your faithful and steadfast love
I plead you to redeem and grant me grace and mercy
I will continue to worship you, Father, Son and Spirit
O my gracious God, defend me from this corrupt world
Let me never neglect to abide in you and follow your word.
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REFLECTION
• Why do you think David is so confident to ask God to be vindicated in this psalm?
PSALM 65 GOD’S CARE FOR HIS CREATION
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March 11
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PSALM 65 GOD’S CARE FOR HIS CREATION
9 You visit the earth and water it;
you greatly enrich it;
the river of God is full of water;
you provide their grain,
for so you have prepared it.
10 You water its furrows abundantly,
settling its ridges,
softening it with showers,
and blessing its growth.
11 You crown the year with your bounty;
your wagon tracks overflow with abundance.
12 The pastures of the wilderness overflow,
the hills gird themselves with joy,
13 the meadows clothe themselves with flocks,
the valleys deck themselves with grain,
they shout and sing together for joy.
– Psalm 65:9-13
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GOD’S BOUNTIFUL PROVISION by ILMA
O Lord, for all your provision and love, we are grateful
You always ensure that your creation stays bountiful
As I watch the river flows, I am reminded of your power
I am amazed as I behold the fields of crops and flowers
You clothe your meadows with herds and flocks of animals
What a joy to behold all your many ways of sustenance
You provide for all your people’s nutrition and needs
Even their spiritual food, you never fail to give
Thank you for all that you make available for your creation
Let us never take for granted your generous provision.
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REFLECTION
• Why is counting our blessings a way of thanksgiving and worship to the Maker of all things?
PSALM 65 THE LORD ATONES FOR OUR TRANSGRESSIONS
March 10
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PSALM 65 THE LORD ATONES FOR OUR TRANSGRESSIONS
Praise is due to you, O God, in Zion, and to you shall vows be performed. 2 O you who
hear prayer, to you shall all flesh come.3 When iniquities prevail against me, you atone for our transgressions.4 Blessed is the one you choose and bring near, to dwell in your courts! We shall be satisfied with the goodness of your house, the holiness of your temple! 5 By awesome deeds you answer us with righteousness, O God of our salvation,
the hope of all the ends of the earth and of the farthest seas; 6 the one who by his strength established the mountains, being girded with might; 7 who stills the roaring of the seas, the roaring of their waves, the tumult of the peoples,8 so that those who dwell at the ends of the earth are in awe at your signs. You make the going out of the morning and the evening to shout for joy. – Psalm 65:1-8
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PRAISE TO THE ONE WHO HEARS OUR PRAYERS by ILMA
O Lord, you are the One whose love is steadfast
You are faithful to forgive the sins of the past
When my tendency to sin overwhelms me
You atone for all of them and grant me mercy.
Blessed are all those whom you have elected
Your grace and goodness keeps the saints satisfied
When we respond to you with our awesome deeds
You shower us with righteousness and blessings.
O God of our salvation, you gave us signs of wonder
One word to your creation and they cannot help but follow
You can make something with your breath and a word
You are in control of everything happening in this world.
O Lord, you who hear all our prayers, grant our requests
Without your guidance we will be confused, lost and perish
We cry out to you, Lord! Grant us a heart that longs to know you
Give us a desire to please you and always worship in spirit and in truth.
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REFLECTION
• How can we fight the tendency to complain and be content and satisfied with what the Lord has given us? How do we respond to his atonement of our sins?