December 30
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PSALM 94 GOD CHEERS MY SOUL WHEN CARES ARE MANY
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.
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 94:12-23
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A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
O Lord, give me rest from all the distractions and afflictions of this world
Let me remember that you never abandon us and let me dwell in your word
There are no other gods like you for you provide help to those who call on you
Each day, troubles and challenges come my way, but I will press on
I will stand on all your promises for you are steadfast in your love
Nudge me when fear visits me so I can walk in the Spirit and not in the flesh.
God cheers my soul when my cares are many, he wants me to endure
When I remain steadfast under trials, he promised the crown of life
Who can withstand God’s judgment? He is a stronghold to the saints
All the wicked and evildoers cannot face the Almighty God
They will be wiped out if they ever continue to destroy the upright
No human power can ever be enough to withstand God’s anger.
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REFLECTION
• How can believers look at the upside of troubles and many cares that this world brings?
Monthly Archives: December 2022
PSALM 94 THE LORD KNOWS THE THOUGHTS OF MAN
December 29
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PSALM 94 THE LORD KNOWS THE THOUGHTS OF MAN
O LORD, God of vengeance, O God of vengeance, shine forth!
2 Rise up, O judge of the earth; repay to the proud what they deserve!
3 O LORD, how long shall the wicked, how long shall the wicked exult?
4 They pour out their arrogant words; all the evildoers boast.
5 They crush your people, O LORD, and afflict your heritage.
6 They kill the widow and the sojourner, and murder the fatherless;
7 and they say, “The LORD does not see; the God of Jacob does not perceive.”
8 Understand, O dullest of the people! Fools, when will you be wise?
9 He who planted the ear, does he not hear? He who formed the eye, does he not see?
10 He who disciplines the nations, does he not rebuke? He who teaches man knowledge—11 the LORD—knows the thoughts of man, that they are but a breath.
– Psalm 94:1-11
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A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
How long O Lord will you let the wicked have their way?
Their arrogance is exhausting and is unbearable
They purposefully victimize the weak and vulnerable
They sneak their agendas to attack the helpless so cunningly.
But you O Lord knows every thought that comes from a man
You know what they’ll say even before it comes out of their mouth
Save me O Lord from such evil plots and tactics of the enemy
Deliver me from their plans to exhaust and eventually kill me.
Keep me under your protection; you are my shield O Lord
Help me stand on your promise that you will never abandon
You promise to those whom you love, restoration and deliverance
I look forward to that day that you will crush all my enemies.
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REFLECTION
• If the Lord knows all our thoughts, why do you think man continually think that they can get away with their plots and schemes to sin?
• Why is being aware of one’s thoughts and holding them captive into the obedience of Christ a very essential habit that all Christians must do?
PSALM 93 WHAT THE LORD ESTABLISHED SHALL NOT BE MOVED
December 28
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PSALM 93 WHAT THE LORD ESTABLISHED SHALL NOT BE MOVED
The LORD reigns; he is robed in majesty;
the LORD is robed; he has put on strength as his belt.
Yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved.
2 Your throne is established from of old;
you are from everlasting.
3 The floods have lifted up, O LORD,
the floods have lifted up their voice;
the floods lift up their roaring.
4 Mightier than the thunders of many waters,
mightier than the waves of the sea,
the LORD on high is mighty!
5 Your decrees are very trustworthy;
holiness befits your house,
O LORD, forevermore. – Psalm 93:1-5
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A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
What the Lord creates, he gives it a solid foundation
If he has chosen someone, he equips that person
The Lord is sovereign; he is there before the world was made
Whatever he makes, it is for the purpose of giving him glory and praise
He created the waters, the sky and the earth and all living creatures
He made man in his own image so that he will have domain over his creation.
God’s throne is founded from ancient days and it is everlasting
No other gods are like him for he alone can create anything out of nothing
He is Almighty and powerful, he is all-knowing and all-seeing
If you serve the majestic God, you will be free and be discerning
If the Lord has chosen you, he established you and you shall not be moved
You will withstand trials and suffering for he will always be with you.
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REFLECTION
• What trait of God is this psalm focused on?
• Why is it important to remember this trait of God especially when in trouble?
PSALM 92 THE RIGHTEOUS FLOURISH LIKE THE PALM TREE
December 27
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PSALM 92 THE RIGHTEOUS FLOURISH LIKE THE PALM TREE
9 For behold, your enemies, O LORD,
for behold, your enemies shall perish;
all evildoers shall be scattered.
10 But you have exalted my horn like that of the wild ox;
you have poured over me fresh oil.
11 My eyes have seen the downfall of my enemies;
my ears have heard the doom of my evil assailants.
12 The righteous flourish like the palm tree
and grow like a cedar in Lebanon.
13 They are planted in the house of the LORD;
they flourish in the courts of our God.
14 They still bear fruit in old age;
they are ever full of sap and green,
15 to declare that the LORD is upright;
he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him. – Psalm 92:9-15
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A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
My Lord, I give thanks to you for blessing the righteous
You have given them protection and favor
You keep them away from the plots of the evil one
I praise you my Lord, for you are steadfast in your love.
You have poured much of your love on your people
Like the palm tree, you nurture them and they flourish
Even in old age, they still continue to bear fruit
They get wiser each and every day for you are full of grace.
When the wind blows, they go with the force and still stands
Their resilience to the pressures of the world is astounding
The Lord is generous to give them yield of much fruit
For God takes care of all those who continue to be true.
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REFLECTION
• What have you observed with the lives of those who are faithful to God?
PSALM 92 DECLARE GOD’S STEADFAST LOVE AND FAITHFULNESS
December 26
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PSALM 92 DECLARE GOD’S STEADFAST LOVE AND FAITHFULNESS
It is good to give thanks to the LORD,
to sing praises to your name, O Most High;
2 to declare your steadfast love in the morning,
and your faithfulness by night,
3 to the music of the lute and the harp,
to the melody of the lyre.
4 For you, O LORD, have made me glad by your work;
at the works of your hands I sing for joy.
5 How great are your works, O LORD!
Your thoughts are very deep!
6 The stupid man cannot know;
the fool cannot understand this:
7 that though the wicked sprout like grass
and all evildoers flourish,
they are doomed to destruction forever;
8 but you, O LORD, are on high forever. – Psalm 92:1-8
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A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
The Lord is good and deserves all the praise and thanksgiving
Let us declare God’s steadfast love every moment of our living
Sing out loud with music accompanied by the lute and harp
Shout out loud to all so that God will be adored and praised.
Do not be distracted by wickedness all around you
Even though evildoers seem to continue to grow
They are destined for ruin and annihilation forever
Praise the Lord and keep your focus on who is eternal.
Continue to keep your eyes on Jesus and speak of his faithfulness
When you do so, you are going to receive steadfastness
Hail your wonderful Lord who has given you all things
Be devoted to follow his word and you will win over sin.
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REFLECTION
• How can declaring God’s steadfast love and faithfulness change our hearts?
PSALM 118 LET US REJOICE AND BE GLAD
December 25
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PSALM 118 LET US REJOICE AND BE GLAD
14 The LORD is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation.
15 Glad songs of salvation are in the tents of the righteous:
“The right hand of the LORD does valiantly,
16 the right hand of the LORD exalts, the right hand of the LORD does valiantly!”
17 I shall not die, but I shall live, and recount the deeds of the LORD.
18 The LORD has disciplined me severely, but he has not given me over to death.
19 Open to me the gates of righteousness,
that I may enter through them and give thanks to the LORD.
20 This is the gate of the LORD; the righteous shall enter through it.
21 I thank you that you have answered me and have become my salvation.
22 The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.
23 This is the LORD’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes.
24 This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.
25 Save us, we pray, O LORD!O LORD, we pray, give us success!
26 Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD!
We bless you from the house of the LORD.- Psalm 118:14-26
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A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
The Word became flesh, let us rejoice and be glad
Today, the Lord has begotten his own Son to us
In his steadfast love and mercy, he brought salvation
He gave us his only Son so we can receive reconciliation.
Jesus Christ’s sacrifice opened the gates of righteousness
All the saints can now rejoice and continually praise
Blessed is he who follows the path towards uprightness
All those who love him will enter God’s dwelling place.
This is the day that the Lord has made, let us sing with joy
Worship and exalt him; never forget what God has done
He cancelled our sins through Jesus Christ’s death
Confess and repent all your sins so you may be saved.
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REFLECTION
• What should Christmas really mean to all those who walk in the faith?
PSALM 118 WHAT CAN MAN DO TO ME IF GOD IS ON MY SIDE
December 24
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PSALM 118 WHAT CAN MAN DO TO ME IF GOD IS ON MY SIDE
Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!
2 Let Israel say, “His steadfast love endures forever.”
3 Let the house of Aaron say, “His steadfast love endures forever.”
4 Let those who fear the LORD say, “His steadfast love endures forever.”
5 Out of my distress I called on the LORD; the LORD answered me and set me free.
6 The LORD is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?
7 The LORD is on my side as my helper; I shall look in triumph on those who hate me.
8 It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in man.
9 It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in princes.
10 All nations surrounded me; in the name of the LORD I cut them off!
11 They surrounded me, surrounded me on every side
in the name of the LORD I cut them off!
12 They surrounded me like bees; they went out like a fire among thorns;
in the name of the LORD I cut them off!
13 I was pushed hard, so that I was falling, but the LORD helped me. – Psalm 118:1-13
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A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
Praise and give thanks to the Lord who is steadfast in his love
He has equipped all his beloved to endure and be glad
There is no reason to fear anything for the Lord is on our side
Nothing will harm us no matter how hard the wicked try
If the Lord is with us, who can destroy us?
It is better to trust in the Lord than in humans.
When the enemy surrounds us and attack
Let’s not be afraid, for the Lord has our backs
In the name of the Lord, we can overcome
With God on our side, the enemy will be crushed
Even when we are under so much trials and suffering
Trust in the Lord for he is our salvation and protection.
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REFLECTION
• Why should Christians not be afraid if under trial or suffering as this psalm says?
PSALM 91 WHEN YOU MAKE GOD YOUR DWELLING PLACE & REFUGE
December 23
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PSALM 91 WHEN YOU MAKE GOD YOUR DWELLING PLACE & REFUGE
9 Because you have made the LORD your dwelling place—
the Most High, who is my refuge—
10 no evil shall be allowed to befall you, no plague come near your tent.
11 For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.
12 On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.
13 You will tread on the lion and the adder;
the young lion and the serpent you will trample underfoot.
14 “Because he holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him;
I will protect him, because he knows my name.
15 When he calls to me, I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him and honor him.
16 With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.” – Psalm 91:9-16
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A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
When you make God your dwelling place, you won’t regret it
Because you will be protected from all the enemy’s tactics
God promised there will be no evil that will befall those who love him
Angels will guard them and protect them from all the devil’s schemes.
When you make God your refuge and shelter
You have authority over the lion and the scorpion
When you are in trouble, the Lord will rescue you
Because you call on his name, he will give you favor.
When you make God your stronghold and shield
He will make you strong and win in the battlefield
Nothing will be so overwhelming no matter the situation is
Because he is on your side, you can count on him always.
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REFLECTION
• Why do you think that despite the promises here in this psalm, many Christians still fail to make the Lord their dwelling place?
• What hinders people from taking shelter in God?
PSALM 91 ABIDE IN THE SHADOW OF THE ALMIGHTY
December 22
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PSALM 91 ABIDE IN THE SHADOW OF THE ALMIGHTY
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.2 I will say to the LORD,
“My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”
3 For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler
and from the deadly pestilence.
4 He will cover you with his pinions,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness is a shield and buckler.
5 You will not fear the terror of the night,
nor the arrow that flies by day,
6 nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness,
nor the destruction that wastes at noonday.
7 A thousand may fall at your side,
ten thousand at your right hand,
but it will not come near you.
8 You will only look with your eyes
and see the recompense of the wicked. – Psalm 91:1-8
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A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
All those who take shelter in the Lord Most High
Will be covered in the shadow of his might
When you take refuge in the Lord God
No evil schemes will overcome you
The Lord covers you with his steadfast love
He delivers you from all schemes of the foe
Though you may encounter all attacks from evil one
No one will destroy you for the Lord is your vindicator
The Lord will make you watch his judgment on them
You will be a witness to how the Lord crushes the enemy.
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REFLECTION
• Why is it important for Christians to take refuge in the Lord instead of fighting for themselves during attacks of the enemy?
• What is the only way of defense we can use against evil schemes?
PSALM 90 NUMBER YOUR DAYS TO HAVE A HEART OF WISDOM
December 21
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PSALM 90 NUMBER YOUR DAYS TO HAVE A HEART OF WISDOM
9 For all our days pass away under your wrath; we bring our years to an end like a sigh.
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 90:9-17
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A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
O Lord, remind us constantly how life is fleeting
You have given us about seventy to eighty years to live
We get enmeshed with the world and forget how short it is
We allow complacency and procrastination to rule us quickly.
Help us to number our days so we can count all our blessings
Grant us humility always as we go through our lives daily
Make us thankful constantly for whatever we have currently
Give us a heart of compassion and wisdom constantly.
Cloak us with favor and protection while we face our daily battles
Help us to face our daily sufferings and help us to endure always
Keep our eyes focused on the destination that is eternal
Make us prioritize the life to come rather than what is on earth.
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REFLECTION
• How can numbering our days lead us to a heart of wisdom as this psalm says?