September 29
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PSALM 46 BE STILL AND KNOW THAT GOD IS IN CONTROL
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way,
though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea,
3 though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah
4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
the holy habitation of the Most High.
5 God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved;
God will help her when morning dawns.
6 The nations rage, the kingdoms totter; he utters his voice, the earth melts.
7 The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah
8 Come, behold the works of the LORD, how he has brought desolations on the earth.
9 He makes wars cease to the end of the earth;
he breaks the bow and shatters the spear; he burns the chariots with fire.
10 “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth!” 11 The LORD of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah – Psalm 46:1-11
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A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
When afflictions and challenges beset your life
You can count on God, who is our refuge and our strength
Though it seems like you are thrown into the sea to drown
God is always in the midst of the winds and the storm
The Lord of Hosts dwells in all his chosen people
Be still, trust him and know that God is in control
The Lord is our stronghold and we can run for protection
He promised that he will grant us deliverance and provision
Believe that the Lord will never leave or forsake you
He is faithful, gracious, merciful and steadfast in his love
Let go of control and let God take care of your needs
He is devoted to all those who serve him and follow his will.
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REFLECTION
• Why do you think it is hard humans to be still and know that God is in control?
Monthly Archives: September 2022
PSALM 44 DID GOD FORGET OUR AFFLICTION AND OPPRESSION
September 28
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PSALM 44 DID GOD FORGET OUR AFFLICTION AND OPPRESSION
18 Our heart has not turned back,
nor have our steps departed from your way;
19 yet you have broken us in the place of jackals
and covered us with the shadow of death
20 If we had forgotten the name of our God
or spread out our hands to a foreign god,
21 would not God discover this?
For he knows the secrets of the heart.
22 Yet for your sake we are killed all the day long;
we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.
23 Awake! Why are you sleeping, O Lord?
Rouse yourself! Do not reject us forever!
24 Why do you hide your face?
Why do you forget our affliction and oppression?
25 For our soul is bowed down to the dust; our belly clings to the ground.
26 Rise up; come to our help! Redeem us for the sake of your steadfast love!
– Psalm 44:18-26
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A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
O Lord, I beseech you to hear my prayer
It seems like you have not listened to my pleadings
Have your forgotten the oppression I have gone through?
It seems like you have not rescued me from wrongdoers
Though I have stayed faithful to honor and praise you
I continue to experience much suffering and afflictions
Why have you hidden your presence from me?
It seems like triumph has been granted to the enemy
Do not turn your deaf ears on me my beloved Master
I will not thrive in this corrupt world without a Savior.
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REFLECTION
• Do you think God forgets the afflictions and oppressions of his people as this psalm mentions? Why or why not?
PSALM 44 WHEN SHAME AND DISGRACE COME UPON US
September 27
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PSALM 44 WHEN SHAME AND DISGRACE COME UPON US
9 But you have rejected us and disgraced us and have not gone out with our armies.
10 You have made us turn back from the foe, and those who hate us have gotten spoil.
11 You have made us like sheep for slaughter and have scattered us among the nations.
12 You have sold your people for a trifle, demanding no high price for them.
13 You have made us the taunt of our neighbors,
the derision and scorn of those around us.
14 You have made us a byword among the nations, a laughingstock among the peoples.
15 All day long my disgrace is before me, and shame has covered my face
16 at the sound of the taunter and reviler, at the sight of the enemy and the avenger.
17 All this has come upon us, though we have not forgotten you,
and we have not been false to your covenant. – Psalm 44:9-17
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A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
Lord, I come to you for protection and deliverance from wickedness
Each day, I am exposed to the enemy’s attacks to disgrace me
Help me to overcome the flesh that so easily surfaces in my life
When I follow my cravings and desires, I surely feel shame
Deliver me from the systems of this corrupt world
Let me constantly feed on your truth and dwell on your word.
Grant me humility and wisdom so that I will walk in your Spirit
Let me be accountable for all that I have been gifted with
Do not let me use your gifts to me for my own purpose
Give me a forgiving heart to mocking neighbors
Always keep my eyes focused on you alone my Lord
Especially when shame and disgrace is all around.
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REFLECTION
• Why do you think even God’s people are not exempt from being taunted or disgraced?
• When does shame visit us in our lives?
• How must a Christian deal with shame?
PSALM 44 THROUGH GOD WE PUSH DOWN FOES
September 26
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PSALM 44 THROUGH GOD WE PUSH DOWN FOES
O God, we have heard with our ears, our fathers have told us,
what deeds you performed in their days, in the days of old:
2 you with your own hand drove out the nations, but them you planted;
you afflicted the peoples, but them you set free;
3 for not by their own sword did they win the land,
nor did their own arm save them, but your right hand and your arm,
and the light of your face, for you delighted in them.
4 You are my King, O God; ordain salvation for Jacob!
5 Through you we push down our foes;
through your name we tread down those who rise up against us.
6 For not in my bow do I trust, nor can my sword save me.
7 But you have saved us from our foes and have put to shame those who hate us.
8 In God we have boasted continually,
and we will give thanks to your name forever. Selah– Psalm 44:1-8
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A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
Do you take credit for things that happen in your life?
Do you not know that every good thing is from God?
Have you not heard of the wondrous deeds the Lord has done?
He has delivered his afflicted people from the evil one
Do you remember how he set free his chosen people?
He led them out of Egypt into the land of milk and honey
It is not by their own strength that they were victorious
It was through God that they were able to push down their foes
Boast only of God’s work and never take credit for anything
He alone is able to do what’s impossible and can create all things
Praise the Lord who is the Almighty, all loving and merciful God
Without his steadfast love, it is unlikely that we can do good
Only through God’s mercy and grace that we can defeat the enemy
His love is unconditional and he delivers and save his chosen people.
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REFLECTION
• Why do you think some people take credit for what only God can do?
PSALM 43 SEND OUT YOUR LIGHT AND YOUR TRUTH
September 25
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PSALM 43 SEND OUT YOUR LIGHT AND YOUR TRUTH
Vindicate me, O God, and defend my cause against an ungodly people,
from the deceitful and unjust man deliver me!
2 For you are the God in whom I take refuge; why have you rejected me?
Why do I go about mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?
3 Send out your light and your truth; let them lead me;
let them bring me to your holy hill and to your dwelling!
4 Then I will go to the altar of God, to God my exceeding joy,
and I will praise you with the lyre, O God, my God.
5 Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me?
Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God.
– Psalm 43:1-5
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A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
My Lord, I praise and glorify your holy name
Defend me from all the evil that I encounter in this life
There is so much injustice and oppression going on in this world
Send out your light and your truth and lead us to your word
Without your guidance, my life will be a constant struggle
But with your wisdom, I will endure and win this battle.
Bring me to a place where I can have your presence always
I never want to be separated from you in anyway
Your light will be the guide towards your will
Help me never to go astray and go down the pit
Let me remember that you never abandon whom you love
When I get depressed, let me choose to focus on you, O Lord.
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REFLECTION
• How has God’s light and truth led you out of turmoil?
• Why is it important to focus on the Lord when you get downcast?
PSALM 42 WHY HAVE YOU FORGOTTEN ME O LORD?
September 24
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PSALM 42 WHY HAVE YOU FORGOTTEN ME O LORD?
7 Deep calls to deep at the roar of your waterfalls;
all your breakers and your waves have gone over me.
8 By day the LORD commands his steadfast love,
and at night his song is with me, a prayer to the God of my life.
9 I say to God, my rock: “Why have you forgotten me?
Why do I go mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?”
10 As with a deadly wound in my bones, my adversaries taunt me,
while they say to me all the day long, “Where is your God?”
11 Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me?
Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God.
– Psalm 42:7-11
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A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
My Lord, why have you not heard my cries for help?
The enemy has attacked me without fail
I have become weak from the constant bouts of evil
Help me to overcome all of the tactics of the devil
I have been plagued by much adversaries; they mock me
Give me strength to endure all the schemes of the enemy.
Lord, because of so much wickedness surrounding me
My soul has been cast down and made me feeling helpless
You have promised your steadfast love to all those whom you love
Why don’t I feel your presence in my life? It seems like you are gone
Why have you forgotten me, O Lord?
I have been faithful and turned my back on the world.
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REFLECTION
• What do you think is the psalmist lamenting about in this psalm?
• What are some of the reasons why we can feel cast down in our souls?
PSALM 42 MY SOUL THIRSTS FOR YOU, O LORD
September 23
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PSALM 42 MY SOUL THIRSTS FOR YOU, O LORD
As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God.
2 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.
When shall I come and appear before God?
3 My tears have been my food day and night,
while they say to me all the day long, “Where is your God?”
4 These things I remember, as I pour out my soul:
how I would go with the throng and lead them in procession to the house of God
with glad shouts and songs of praise, a multitude keeping festival.
5 Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me?
Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation6 and my God.
My soul is cast down within me; therefore, I remember you
from the land of Jordan and of Hermon, from Mount Mizar.
– Psalm 42:1-6
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A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
Like an infant hungering for the mother’s milk,
So does my soul thirsts for the Lord Almighty
There is nothing else that would satisfy my longing
Only the Lord can quench my thirst and keep me holy.
When I am down and feeling empty, he fills all the void
He has given me courage when my soul is in turmoil
Hope is in God alone, praise the Lord and worship him
Especially when you are cast down and struggling with sin.
My soul will continually long for the Lord who made all things
Despite all the suffering that I go through while I am living
With loud shouts of praise, I declare the goodness of the Lord
I will abide in my Redeemer and declare his powerful word.
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REFLECTION
• Why do you think many people become hopeless?
• Do you think it is true for the psalmist to say that hope is in God alone?
PSALM 41 WHEN THE LORD DELIGHTS IN ME
September 22
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PSALM 41 WHEN THE LORD DELIGHTS IN ME
8 They say, “A deadly thing is poured out on him;
he will not rise again from where he lies.”
9 Even my close friend in whom I trusted,
who ate my bread, has lifted his heel against me.
10 But you, O LORD, be gracious to me,
and raise me up, that I may repay them!
11 By this I know that you delight in me:
my enemy will not shout in triumph over me.
12 But you have upheld me because of my integrity,
and set me in your presence forever.
13 Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel,
from everlasting to everlasting! Amen and Amen. – Psalm 41:8-13
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A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
When the enemy casts his tactics on me, I will not fear
The Lord is my stronghold and my protection
No matter what the enemy does, I will not stop trusting God
The Lord promises salvation to all those whom he loves
When the Lord delights in me, the enemy will not gloat
I will be strong and his steadfast love will bring me hope
The Lord defends me and gives me endurance
Blessed is him who constantly gives me assurance.
Even when my loved ones turn against me
I will not be anxious for the Lord is my peace
When the Lord is pleased with me, joy overflows
If I stay faithful to my Master, his grace will show
I praise my Lord, who constantly grants me mercy
Without his love, I will not overcome the enemy.
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REFLECTION
• What is the manifestation of God’s delight in a believer according to this psalm?
PSALM 41 BLESSED IS THE ONE WHO CONSIDERS THE POOR
September 21
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PSALM 41 BLESSED IS THE ONE WHO CONSIDERS THE POOR
Blessed is the one who considers the poor!
In the day of trouble, the LORD delivers him;
2 the LORD protects him and keeps him alive;
he is called blessed in the land;
you do not give him up to the will of his enemies.
3 The LORD sustains him on his sickbed;
in his illness you restore him to full health.
4 As for me, I said, “O LORD, be gracious to me;
heal me, for I have sinned against you!”
5 My enemies say of me in malice,
“When will he die, and his name perish?”
6 And when one comes to see me, he utters empty words,
while his heart gathers iniquity; when he goes out, he tells it abroad.
7 All who hate me whisper together about me;
they imagine the worst for me. – Psalm 41:1-7
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A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
When you are compassionate to those who are poor
The Lord will deliver you in times of trouble and struggle
He blesses those who think of those who are weak and needy
When they experience suffering, God makes them endure it.
God wants us to take care of those who are frail and aren’t capable
It is an act of love to take time to help those who are feeble
Serving others manifest the love of God, his grace and his mercy
The Lord sustains them when they are sick and brings them recovery.
When you think less of yourself and pour out your thoughts on others
You’ll discover many needs are unmet amongst your own sisters and brothers
Take time to think of those who are marginalized and underprivileged
The Lord will be pleased when you care for those who are forgotten.
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REFLECTION
• Why is it a good practice to go out of your way to think and help those who are poor, weak and vulnerable?
PSALM 40 BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO PUTS ONLY THEIR TRUST IN GOD
September 19
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PSALM 40 BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO PUTS ONLY THEIR TRUST IN GOD
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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A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
When you wait patiently for God to show up and hear your prayer
Chances are that you will get a reply sooner or later
The Lord is faithful to keep his promise to the faithful
If you put your trust in God, you will be blessed and prosper.
He will have his angels surround you for your protection
Though it may seem hopeless, he will find a way grant you provision
Do not put your faith on anything else but in your Lord Jesus Christ
You will have no lack when you do so; on you, He will shine his light.
Praise the Lord, depend on him alone and you will find
He is gracious and steadfast in his love and generously kind
He promised to those who love him inclusion in his book of life
Delight in his will and you will know the truth and you will be set free.
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REFLECTION
• What happens to those who put their trust on someone or something else other than God?