August 10
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PSALM 10 A PRAYER TO DELIVER THE HELPLESS FROM THE WICKED
6 He says in his heart, “I shall not be moved; throughout all generations I shall not meet adversity.” 7 His mouth is filled with cursing and deceit and oppression; under his tongue are mischief and iniquity.8 He sits in ambush in the villages; in hiding places he murders the innocent. His eyes stealthily watch for the helpless; 9 he lurks in ambush like a lion in his thicket; he lurks that he may seize the poor; he seizes the poor when he draws him into his net. 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 10:6-18
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A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
The wicked plot all kinds of mischief against the righteous
They curse and oppress them in their innocence and weakness
The evildoers stealthily watch and prey on them
He lurks like a lion ready to devour his found victim
O Lord, please do not forget these people who are helpless
In your steadfast love, you will never let the vulnerable perish
O Lord, hear the cries of the afflicted; incline your ear to them
You are a just God, do justice to the oppressed and fatherless
Please strengthen their hearts and deliver them from the wicked
Do not let the unrighteous get away with their schemes to strike terror
Keep your people out of their evil tactics and plots to make them fearful
O Lord, you are our refuge, our fortress, our strength and our vindicator
Keep us away from the haughty, the arrogant and all the manipulators.
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REFLECTION
• How to do we protect ourselves from the evil schemes of the wicked?
Monthly Archives: August 2022
PSALM 9 THE LORD IS A STRONGHOLD IN TIMES OF TROUBLE
August 9
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PSALM 9 THE LORD IS A STRONGHOLD IN TIMES OF TROUBLE
I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart; I will recount all of your wonderful deeds. 2 I will be glad and exult in you; I will sing praise to your name, O Most High.
3 When my enemies turn back, they stumble and perish before your presence.4 For you have maintained my just cause; you have sat on the throne, giving righteous judgment.
5 You have rebuked the nations; you have made the wicked perish; you have blotted out their name forever and ever. 6 The enemy came to an end in everlasting ruins; their cities you rooted out; the very memory of them has perished. 7 But the LORD sits enthroned forever; he has established his throne for justice, 8 and he judges the world with righteousness; he judges the peoples with uprightness. 9 The LORD is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. 10 And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O LORD, have not forsaken those who seek you. Sing praises to the LORD, who sits enthroned in Zion! Tell among the peoples his deeds! 12 For he who avenges blood is mindful of them; he does not forget the cry of the afflicted. 13 Be gracious to me, O LORD! See my affliction from those who hate me, O you who lift me up from the gates of death, 14 that I may recount all your praises, that in the gates of the daughter of Zion I may rejoice in your salvation. – Psalm 9:1-14
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A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
I will sing praise to the Lord and remember all his wonderful deeds
I will rejoice and be glad and glorify the only true God, the Most high
When the enemy plots to destroy those who live in righteousness
The Lord is their stronghold in times of troubles and weaknesses
He comes to the rescue of all the oppressed and unjustly treated
The Lord delivers them, heals and comfort all those who are afflicted
He does not forget the cry of those who are faithful to him and his word
Praise our Lord God Almighty, he sits on the throne watching over the world
Our Lord God punishes all wickedness, he judges the people with uprightness
He hates evil and won’t allow it to triumph; he crushes all forms of wickedness
Run to the Lord for refuge for he is our strength and stronghold in troubled times
He is the strong foundation for all those who love, trust him and follow his lead.
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REFLECTION
• Share some experiences that proved God is our stronghold in times of trouble?
• Why is it important to sing praise and remember God’s marvelous deeds?
PSALM 8 MAJESTIC NAME OF GOD
August 8
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PSALM 8 MAJESTIC NAME OF GOD
O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!
You have set your glory above the heavens.
2 Out of the mouth of babies and infants,
you have established strength because of your foes,
to still the enemy and the avenger.
3 When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars, which you have set in place,
4 what is man that you are mindful of him,
and the son of man that you care for him?
5 Yet you have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings
and crowned him with glory and honor.
6 You have given him dominion over the works of your hands;
you have put all things under his feet,
7 all sheep and oxen, and also the beasts of the field,
8 the birds of the heavens, and the fish of the sea,
whatever passes along the paths of the seas.
9 O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! – Psalm 8:1-9
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A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
O Lord my God, your name is above all else in all creation
How majestic is your name; it can bring us salvation
What is man that you even care for his welfare and his whole life?
You gave him authority over all the things and all creatures you made
When I bask at your beautiful and wondrous nature, I am in awe
Your name is the only name that can make us bow down
No other name can have this power over any person
It is the name that can conquer and overpower forms of evil
Praise the Lord and glorify his holy and majestic name
He alone has authority over all the earth and the entirety of his creation
Glory to the most majestic name; praise the Lord who created all things
The name of the Lord is to be worshipped and adored in all the earth.
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REFLECTION
• Why is praising the name of the Lord something a Christian ought to always do?
PSALM 6 THE LORD HEARD THE SOUND OF MY WEEPING
August 6
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PSALM 6 THE LORD HEARD THE SOUND OF MY WEEPING
O LORD, rebuke me not in your anger, nor discipline me in your wrath.
2 Be gracious to me, O LORD, for I am languishing;
heal me, O LORD, for my bones are troubled.
3 My soul also is greatly troubled. But you, O LORD—how long?
4 Turn, O LORD, deliver my life; save me for the sake of your steadfast love.
5 For in death there is no remembrance of you; in Sheol who will give you praise?
6 I am weary with my moaning; every night I flood my bed with tears;
I drench my couch with my weeping.
7 My eye wastes away because of grief; it grows weak because of all my foes.
8 Depart from me, all you workers of evil,
for the LORD has heard the sound of my weeping.
9 The LORD has heard my plea; the LORD accepts my prayer.
10 All my enemies shall be ashamed and greatly troubled;
they shall turn back and be put to shame in a moment. -Psalm 6:1-10
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A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
O my Lord, I cry out to you and plead you to hear my prayer
Please, grant me grace for I am hurting so much from this torture
Heal me O Lord for my soul is distressed and troubled
I am so tired from the enemy’s pulling me down to the rubble
Often, I cry myself in bed; it’s too painful to watch violence
The world is full of people who don’t care for others but themselves.
I know you are steadfast in your love and your mercy abounds
Please hear the sound of my weeping and wrap your arms on me
Let the unrighteous and wicked people leave me alone
My Lord, please accept my prayer for deliverance and wisdom
Grant me peace and strength so I can endure for your sake
Let me never forget that all your elect will have to go through trials.
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REFLECTION
• Do you think it’s alright to weep to God? Why do some people think that it isn’t appropriate to do so?
• Why did David sound so depressed in this psalm?
• What is the spiritual antidote for anxiety and depression according to the bible?
PSALM 5 LEAD ME O LORD IN YOUR RIGHTEOUSNESS
August 5
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PSALM 5 LEAD ME O LORD IN YOUR RIGHTEOUSNESS
Give ear to my words, O LORD; consider my groaning.2 Give attention to the sound of my cry, my King and my God, for to you do I pray.3 O LORD, in the morning you hear my voice; in the morning I prepare a sacrifice for you and watch. 4 For you are not a God who delights in wickedness; evil may not dwell with you.5 The boastful shall not stand before your eyes; you hate all evildoers.6 You destroy those who speak lies; the LORD abhors the bloodthirsty and deceitful man.7 But I, through the abundance of your steadfast love, will enter your house. I will bow down toward your holy temple in the fear of you.8 Lead me, O LORD, in your righteousness because of my enemies; make your way straight before me.9 For there is no truth in their mouth; their inmost self is destruction; their throat is an open grave; they flatter with their tongue. 10 Make them bear their guilt, O God; let them fall by their own counsels; because of the abundance of their transgressions cast them out, for they have rebelled against you. 11 But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them ever sing for joy, and spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may exult in you.12 For you bless the righteous, O LORD; you cover him with favor as with a shield. – Psalm 5:1-12
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A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
My Lord, I plead you to lead me to your righteousness
Without your guidance, I will succumb to my weaknesses
Let your Holy Spirit help me discern how to show grace
It is difficult to bear those unrighteous and wicked men
Help me to surrender to you all these trials and difficulties
Never let me figure this out for myself; you are my vindicator
Give me strength to endure all these so I can exalt you
Grant me a pure heart and a mind that is always renewed
Bless the righteous and cover him with favor as with a shield
Keep me safe in your steadfast love and grant me peace.
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REFLECTION
• Why is it a good habit for a Christian to let go of independence and depend on God instead especially in difficult circumstances?
PSALM 4 THE LORD ALONE MAKE ME DWELL IN SAFETY ILMA’S POEM DEVOTIONAL
August 4
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PSALM 4 THE LORD ALONE MAKE ME DWELL IN SAFETY
Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness!
You have given me relief when I was in distress.
Be gracious to me and hear my prayer!
2 O men, how long shall my honor be turned into shame?
How long will you love vain words and seek after lies? Selah
3 But know that the LORD has set apart the godly for himself;
the LORD hears when I call to him.4 Be angry, and do not sin;
ponder in your own hearts on your beds, and be silent. Selah
5 Offer right sacrifices, and put your trust in the LORD.
6 There are many who say, “Who will show us some good?
Lift up the light of your face upon us, O LORD!”
7 You have put more joy in my heart
than they have when their grain and wine abound.
8 In peace I will both lie down and sleep;
for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety. – Psalm 4:1-8
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A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
When I feel down and threatened, I run to the Lord for rescue
He is faithful to relieve me of worries; he gets my mind renewed
O Lord, help me to seek your word daily and not believe in lies
So much in the world system corrupts our hearts and lives
Help me when I am angry to not sin, but acknowledge the cause
Keep my tongue from speaking lies; instead, let your word flow
Put a rend on my mind and heart so my lips speak only the truth
Let me be used by you as a vessel to bring your kingdom to come
You alone, O Lord make me dwell in safety; you are my Savior
It is only from You that I will experience contentment and joy
In Christ alone can I lie down and sleep and rest knowing his love
The world can never give me such care because its system is corrupt
O men, go and pay homage and praise to a gracious and generous God
He alone can satisfy and give you peace and joy in this fallen world.
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REFLECTION
• Why should we only trust the Lord when it comes to satisfying our needs?
PSALM 3 SAVE ME FROM MY FOES, O LORD
August 3
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PSALM 3 SAVE ME FROM MY FOES, O LORD
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.” Selah
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. Selah
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! Selah – Psalm 3:1-8
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A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
O lord, I come before you to acknowledge my fears and worries
The enemy creeps so stealthily that I find myself being anxious
I cry out loud to you so you can remind me of your steadfast love
When the enemy distracts me, I digress and forget to prioritize you.
Forgive me for allowing the devil’s tactics to get the better of me
Help me to always wear the armor you gave me so I can stand firm
You equipped me with it so I can discern the plans of the devil
Renew my mind so I do not get corrupted by the world systems.
Salvation is yours my Lord, come quickly to my aide before I breakdown
The enemy knows how to manipulate me, rescue me from his wicked plans
Lord, do not let the enemy win; grant me a desire to depend on you daily
Replace my fears with total surrender to your will and seek you first always.
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REFLECTION
• How did David acknowledged to God his fears regarding the enemies chasing him?
• Do you discern the enemy’s tactics easily? How can you be more aware of it?
• What do you do when you start to be distracted from focusing on God?
PSALM 2 THE FUTILITY OF DEFYING THE ALMIGHTY GOD ILMA’S POEM DEVOTIONAL
August 2
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Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? 2 The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD and against his Anointed, saying, 3 “Let us burst their bonds apart and cast away their cords from us.” 4 He who sits in the heavens laughs; the Lord holds them in derision.
5 Then he will speak to them in his wrath, and terrify them in his fury, saying,
6 “As for me, I have set my King on Zion, my holy hill.” 7 I will tell of the decree:
The LORD said to me, “You are my Son; today I have begotten you.
8 Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage,
and the ends of the earth your possession.
9 You shall break them with a rod of iron and dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.”
10 Now therefore, O kings, be wise; be warned, O rulers of the earth.
11 Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling.
12 Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and you perish in the way,
for his wrath is quickly kindled. Blessed are all who take refuge in him. – Psalm 2:1-12
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A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
Why would people even attempt to defy a God who is Almighty?
Many rulers who don’t know God think they have a chance to fight him
They come together thinking that the more they are, the better their chances
But he who sits in the heavens laughs at their futile efforts to rebel against him
The Lord will confront them and make them tremble as he manifests his wrath on them
He does what pleases him and can annihilate anyone; it is him who made them all.
When God elects and anoints his rulers, no one can question his choices
He knows what he is doing, he is the potter and we are just vessels
So, let us all serve the Lord with fear and rejoice that he gave us his Son
Seek the kingdom that is eternal and follow the way that leads us to God
You do not want to provoke the Lord to get angry or you will die
Abide only in the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved and have life.
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REFLECTION
• What do you think causes people to defy and rebel against God?
• Why is it futile to fight God? What chances does anyone have if they rebel?
PSALM 1 RIGHT VERSUS WRONG LIVING
August 1
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PSALM 1 THE WAY OF THE RIGHTEOUS AND THE WICKED
Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked,
nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers;
2 but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law, he meditates day and night.
3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season,
and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.
4 The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away.
5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,
nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous;
6 for the LORD knows the way of the righteous,
but the way of the wicked will perish. – Psalm 1:1-6
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RIGHT VERSUS WRONG LIVING by ILMA
Beware, the Lord warns us how we ought to live
We are not to participate in anything that makes us sin
Instead, we ought to ponder on his word day and night
For he delights in those who follow and walk in his light
The upright will be prosperous like a tree by the river
Whose leaves doesn’t scorch despite extreme hot weather
Its roots are anchored on the soil and bears much vegetation
It stands firm and does not shake despite different seasons
Those who choose to go against the Lord wilfully sins
They are like chaff that is blown easily by the wind
In all that they do, they struggle and fail eventually
For they do not heed God’s laws but disobey constantly
They do not care for the righteous or hear God’s word
For they are already judged and stuck in this world.
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REFLECTION
• What picture do we see from this psalm that talks about righteous and wrong living?
• Why do you think this first psalm became the opening song of the whole book of psalms?
• How is this psalm the best navigation to living our lives?
• How is a tree by streams of water like a Christian besides living water?