May 9
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PSALM 31 GOD’S ABUNDANT GOODNESS TO THOSE WHO FEAR HIM
18 Let the lying lips be mute,
which speak insolently against the righteous
in pride and contempt.
19 Oh, how abundant is your goodness,
which you have stored up for those who fear you
and worked for those who take refuge in you,
in the sight of the children of mankind!
20 In the cover of your presence you hide them
from the plots of men;
you store them in your shelter
from the strife of tongues. – Psalm 31:18-20
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GOD’S LOVE AND PROTECTION FOR HIS PEOPLE by ILMA
O Lord, I praise you for your majesty and glory
Without your love, I will be lost completely
Thank you for your steadfast love and faithfulness
You shower your beloved servants with goodness.
You promise protection and deliverance to your people
My Lord, please silence all those liars who oppress the righteous
Hide us from all the evil schemes and plots of the enemy
Cover us with your presence so that their tactics will revert to them.
Your goodness and mercy filled our hearts with much expectancy
Let us take refuge in your steadfast love, grace and mercy
Fill us with your Spirit so we will have courage and wisdom
Help us to discern and expose evil so we can have much freedom.
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REFLECTION
• How can we manifest our trust in the Lord in the midst of suffering and attacks of the enemy?
• Why is it important to lay on the throne of God all our concerns and the trials we face in life?
Monthly Archives: May 2022
PSALM 31 – I HAVE BECOME LIKE A BROKEN VESSEL
May 8
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PSALM 31 – I HAVE BECOME LIKE A BROKEN VESSEL
11 Because of all my adversaries I have become a reproach,
especially to my neighbors, and an object of dread to my acquaintances;
those who see me in the street flee from me.
12 I have been forgotten like one who is dead; I have become like a broken vessel.
13 For I hear the whispering of many- terror on every side! –
as they scheme together against me, as they plot to take my life.
14 But I trust in you, O LORD; I say, “You are my God.”
15 My times are in your hand; rescue me
from the hand of my enemies and from my persecutors!
16 Make your face shine on your servant; save me in your steadfast love!
17 O LORD, let me not be put to shame, for I call upon you;
let the wicked be put to shame; let them go silently to Sheol. – Psalm 31:11-17
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AS THE ENEMY SCHEMES AGAINST ME by ILMA
Lord, come to my rescue as the enemy schemes against me
I have become a laughing stock and disgrace to my neighbor
Many have minimized me and treated me like dead
I hear them whisper all kinds of gossips and judgment
As they scheme against me and mock me incessantly
I ask you Lord, to deliver me from all the attacks of the enemy.
O Lord, I call upon you. Have mercy on your faithful servant
Let the wicked be put to shame and silenced and stopped
Make your face shine on your beloved servant; make haste to save me
As the enemy schemes against me, I slowly become discouraged
Strengthen me to exercise the authority you gave me to trample them
O my God, I trust that you will fulfill your promise of deliverance.
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REFLECTION
• How can you identify with David in this psalm as his enemy schemes against him?
• What did David do when he felt so discriminated and mocked by those people who seemed to have honored him before and currently mock him now?
PSALM 31 BE GRACIOUS TO ME IN TIMES OF GRIEF
May 7
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PSALM 31 BE GRACIOUS TO ME IN TIMES OF GRIEF
6 I hate those who pay regard to worthless idols,
but I trust in the LORD.
7 I will rejoice and be glad in your steadfast love,
because you have seen my affliction;
you have known the distress of my soul,
8 and you have not delivered me into the hand of the enemy;
you have set my feet in a broad place.
9 Be gracious to me, O LORD, for I am in distress;
my eye is wasted from grief;
my soul and my body also.
10 For my life is spent with sorrow,
and my years with sighing;
my strength fails because of my iniquity,
and my bones waste away. – Psalm 31:7-10
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A PLEA FOR GRACE by ILMA
My Lord, please hear my distressed soul
Be gracious to your servant who is in much sorrow
Please keep away all the idolaters from my life
They suck the energy out and snuff off your light
Set me free from those whose only concern is “self”
Change their hearts and reveal yourself to them
Let them know that their wickedness destroys
Grant me grace to overcome the enemy’s ploys
I trust you completely and stand on your steadfast love
I praise you and honor your name my Lord and my God
Replace my sorrow with the joy that only comes from you
Give me a heart that endures all things and forgives
Shower me with your wisdom and grant me patience.
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REFLECTION
• Why are prayers important especially when you are going through grief and sorrow and suffering?
PSALM 31 INTO YOUR HAND I COMMIT MY SPIRIT
May 6
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PSALM 31 INTO YOUR HAND I COMMIT MY SPIRIT
In you, O LORD, do I take refuge;
let me never be put to shame;
in your righteousness deliver me!
2 Incline your ear to me;
rescue me speedily!
Be a rock of refuge for me,
a strong fortress to save me!
3 For you are my rock and my fortress;
and for your name’s sake you lead me and guide me;
4 you take me out of the net they have hidden for me,
for you are my refuge.
5 Into your hand I commit my spirit;
you have redeemed me, O LORD, faithful God. – Psalm 31:1-5
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INTO YOUR HANDS I SURRENDER MY LIFE by ILMA
It is in you that I run for defence; you are my sanctuary
Hear out my plea for protection, deliverance and safety
Be that stronghold for me as I go through trials and adversity
The enemy has been constantly assaultive and combative
Lord, I plead you to shelter me under your wings for I am so tired
Be my rock of refuge and strength so I can be rejuvenated.
I need your comfort and deliverance so I can overcome evil
Take me out of their schemes and plans to destroy your calling
Into your hands alone will I surrender my entire life
You are the reason for my life and without you, I will expire
Never leave me or forsake me; I can do nothing on my own
Give me enough strength and let me focus on your firm foundation.
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REFLECTION
• What does the writer mean when he said “Into your hands I commit my spirit?”
• Why did Jesus say the same phrase before he died on the cross?
• Why is it important to surrender all to the Lord?
PSALM 71 YOUR RIGHTEOUSNESS O GOD REACHES THE HIGH HEAVENS
May 5
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PSALM 71 YOUR RIGHTEOUSNESS O GOD REACHES THE HIGH HEAVENS
19 Your righteousness, O God, reaches the high heavens.
You who have done great things, O God, who is like you?
20 You who have made me see many troubles and calamities
will revive me again; from the depths of the earth, you will bring me up again.
21 You will increase my greatness and comfort me again.
22 I will also praise you with the harp for your faithfulness, O my God;
I sing praises to you with the lyre, O Holy One of Israel.
23 My lips will shout for joy, when I sing praises to you;
my soul also, which you have redeemed.
24 And my tongue will talk of your righteous help all the day long,
for they have been put to shame and disappointed
who sought to do me hurt. – Psalm 71:19-24
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A GOD WHO REVIVES AND COMFORTS by ILMA
My Lord, I praise you with all that I am and all that I have
You have constantly guided and pulled me towards the right path
In all the years that I have lived, I have never felt alone
You were there in the midst of my most traumatic moments
Despite the enemy’s plot to bring me down and defeat me
You never allowed me to be overcome by the devil’s tactics
I bow down to you my Lord and my God who revives the oppressed
You always comforted me and never left me alone to be so depressed
Without you, my Lord, my life will be a total mess
Thank you for healing me from all the abuse and illnesses
All my life challenges built up my character and strength
It added much wisdom and grew my faith and discernment
My lips will only praise you constantly so you can be glorified
You are a God who revives and comforts the poor in spirit.
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REFLECTION
• How can we faithfully worship the Lord for all that he has done for us?
• Why should we be thankful when we undergo trials and suffering?
PSALM 71 HOPE AND PRAISE THE LORD CONTINUOSLY
Quote
May 4
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PSALM 71 HOPE AND PRAISE THE LORD CONTINUOSLY
But I will hope continually and will praise you yet more and more.
15 My mouth will tell of your righteous acts,
of your deeds of salvation all the day,
for their number is past my knowledge.
16 With the mighty deeds of the Lord GOD I will come;
I will remind them of your righteousness, yours alone.
17 O God, from my youth you have taught me,
and I still proclaim your wondrous deeds.
18 So even to old age and gray hairs, O God, do not forsake me,
until I proclaim your might to another generation,
your power to all those to come. – Psalm 71:14-18
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PRAISE THE LORD EVEN AT YOUR OLD AGE! by ILMA
I will continue to worship my Lord at my graying years
He had faithfully led me to the path of righteousness
I will not be faint though life had been stormy
I will praise the Lord more amidst all the adversities.
Trust that God never abandons those who love him deeply
Proclaim the goodness of the Lord to the world incessantly
To the youth, I will not tire of telling God’s mighty deeds
They need to remember his goodness and righteousness.
All those who have known the Lord will be assured and justified
He promises salvation for the upright and wrath for the wicked
All you people of God, don’t stop praising God no matter what comes
Acknowledge Him who is King of kings and Lord of Lords.
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REFLECTION
• How can praising God be an antidote to all the trials and sufferings you are facing as this psalm samples us?
• Why does the psalmist recommend us to praise God especially in our ageing years?
PSALM 71 O GOD BE NOT FAR FROM ME
May 3
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PSALM 71 O GOD BE NOT FAR FROM ME
7 I have been as a portent to many, but you are my strong refuge.
8 My mouth is filled with your praise, and with your glory all the day.
9 Do not cast me off in the time of old age;
forsake me not when my strength is spent.
10 For my enemies speak concerning me;
those who watch for my life consult together
11 and say, “God has forsaken him, pursue and seize him,
for there is none to deliver him.”
12 O God, be not far from me;
O my God, make haste to help me!
13 May my accusers be put to shame and consumed;
with scorn and disgrace may they be covered
who seek my hurt. – Psalm 71:7-13
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DO NOT LEAVE ME LORD WHEN I AM SPENT by ILMA
My Lord, you have always been with me as a young child
You have guided me closely when no one seemed to care for me
I have faithfully declared praise to you my Lord and my master
Do not forget me as I have reached all these years of life.
I plead you to be by my side especially when I am spent
So much evil surrounds me and I get discouraged at times
O my Lord, please do not be far from me and make haste
Bring justice to your faithful servant and grant her grace.
Do not let the enemy gloat as they taunt and say that you’ve left me
They think that you have abandoned me and they plan their attack
Keep me safe from all these evildoers who constantly scheme
Manifest your presence to me so I can be rejuvenated.
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REFLECTION
• How has the psalmist manifest his faith in the Lord amidst all the years that he has served the Lord and all the attacks of the enemy?
PSALM 71 IN YOUR RIGHTEOUSNESS, DELIVER ME
May 2
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PSALM 71 IN YOUR RIGHTEOUSNESS, DELIVER ME
In you, O LORD, do I take refuge;
let me never be put to shame!
2 In your righteousness deliver me and rescue me;
incline your ear to me, and save me!
3 Be to me a rock of refuge,
to which I may continually come;
you have given the command to save me,
for you are my rock and my fortress.
4 Rescue me, O my God, from the hand of the wicked,
from the grasp of the unjust and cruel man.
5 For you, O Lord, are my hope,
my trust, O LORD, from my youth.
6 Upon you I have leaned from before my birth;
you are he who took me from my mother’s womb.
My praise is continually of you. – Psalm 71:1-6
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RESCUE ME FROM THE HANDS OF THE WICKED by ILMA
Lord, I plead you to bring me out of this ploy of the enemy
I come to ask you to rescue me from this attack I get constantly
There is so much deception and betrayals going on around
You promised deliverance to your faithful servant; I look up to you.
You know me deeply as you formed me in my mother’s womb
Deliver me from this injustice and cruelty to bring me down
I continually praise you amidst this spiritual battle going on
Use it to strengthen me so I can endure and press on.
Rescue me from the hands of the wicked and the hypocrites
Give me courage to confront and expose evil when they arise
Let me discern the spirits that hover and distract many to sin
You, O Lord are the rock that I can stand on and be planted firmly.
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REFLECTION
• Why is it essential for believers to be mindful of the ploys of the enemy and come to the Lord for assurance, trust and hope?
PSALM 94 THE LORD WIPES OUT WICKEDNESS
May 1
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PSALM 94 THE LORD WIPES OUT WICKEDNESS
19 When the cares of my heart are many,
your consolations cheer my soul.
20 Can wicked rulers be allied with you,
those who frame injustice by statute?
21 They band together against the life of the righteous
and condemn the innocent to death.
22 But the LORD has become my stronghold,
and my God the rock of my refuge.
23 He will bring back on them their iniquity
and wipe them out for their wickedness;
the LORD our God will wipe them out. – Psalm 94:19-23
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WHEN THE CARES OF MY HEART ARE MANY by ILMA
When the cares of my heart are many and overwhelming
The Lord cheers my soul pouring me with much blessings
Though it may feel so tiring and discouraging, he brings peace
When so much evil attack me, I can surely run to Him.
When the cares are so much, I can be assured of his presence
He promised never to leave me nor allow evil to be victorious
The Lord is my rock and my sanctuary; in him, I am strong
He will retrieve back all that the enemy has stolen.
When trials and sufferings plague me and I feel discouraged
I will press on to remember that it will help me to endure more
Even the evil that is used against me will also be used for his good
He may allow a little suffering but He’ll punish all evil and the fools.
When I am surrounded by plots and schemes of the devil
The Lord will surely put an end to all those who perpetuate evil
He will never allow his beloved people to be defeated
He is a stronghold and protector to all who live in righteousness.
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REFLECTION
• Why should we run to the throne of God when our cares are many?
PSALM 94 YOUR STEADFAST LOVE HELD ME UP
April 30
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PSALM 94 YOUR STEADFAST LOVE HELD ME UP
12 Blessed is the man whom you discipline, O LORD,
and whom you teach out of your law,
13 to give him rest from days of trouble,
until a pit is dug for the wicked.
14 For the LORD will not forsake his people;
he will not abandon his heritage;
15 for justice will return to the righteous,
and all the upright in heart will follow it.
16 Who rises up for me against the wicked?
Who stands up for me against evildoers?
17 If the LORD had not been my help,
my soul would soon have lived in the land of silence.
18 When I thought, “My foot slips,”
your steadfast love, O LORD, held me up.– Psalm 94:12-18
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THE LORD DISCIPLINES THOSE WHOM HE LOVES by ILMA
Blessed is the one who loves the Lord, for God disciplines him
He will not be misled for he follows His will and he avoids sin
For him who is faithful to serve the Lord, he will be given rest
He will be protected from all evildoers who bring conflict and unrest
The Lord will never forsake his people, he ensures their safety
While a pit awaits all those who are evildoers and wicked
All the upright will heed to discipline and correction
While the idolaters do not want rebuke or any instructions
Blessed are the meek and those who follow God’s laws
They will inherit God’s kingdom and will never fail
God’s steadfast love sustains all those who love him
They don’t compromise their faith; they won’t intentionally sin.
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REFLECTION
• Why is discipline an integral part of faith and serving the Lord?
• What makes unbelievers different from believers in terms of accepting discipline?