March 11
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PSALM 122
I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the LORD!”
2 Our feet have been standing within your gates, O Jerusalem!
3 Jerusalem—built as a city that is bound firmly together,
4 to which the tribes go up, the tribes of the LORD,
as was decreed for Israel, to give thanks to the name of the LORD.
5 There thrones for judgment were set, the thrones of the house of David.
6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem! “May they be secure who love you!
7 Peace be within your walls and security within your towers!”
8 For my brothers and companions’ sake I will say, “Peace be within you!”
9 For the sake of the house of the LORD our God, I will seek your good.
– Psalm 122:1-9
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PSALM 122 PEACE AND SECURITY FOR THE FAITHFUL
A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
In Jesus Christ, we can be assured of life eternal
If you believe in him, you will die and live again
In Christ, there is perfect love which casts out fear
There is no room for terror in those who love him.
At the beginning of time, the Lord has chosen his own people
He equips all those who love him to continue to be faithful
The wicked don’t have assurance because they do not know him
They have no guarantee of eternity and they can’t win over sin.
The world cannot offer peace, it is corrupt and full of conflicts
But harmony can only be experienced amongst true believers
Let us go to the house of the Lord and praise the one who is peace
He grants the same peace to all those who serve and believe him.
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REFLECTION
• If Christ is peace himself, how do you think unbelievers can have peace?
• What is peace in the context of bible truths compared to how the world view the word “peace?”
Monthly Archives: March 2023
PSALM 121 THE LORD IS OUR KEEPER
March 10
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PSALM 121
I lift up my eyes to the hills.
From where does my help come?
2 My help comes from the LORD,
who made heaven and earth.
3 He will not let your foot be moved;
he who keeps you will not slumber.
4 Behold, he who keeps Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.
5 The LORD is your keeper;
the LORD is your shade on your right hand.
6 The sun shall not strike you by day,
nor the moon by night.
7 The LORD will keep you from all evil;
he will keep your life.8 The LORD will keep
your going out and your coming in
from this time forth and forevermore.
– Psalm 121:1-7
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PSALM 121 THE LORD IS OUR KEEPER
A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
Doesn’t our help come from the Lord who made heaven and earth?
Trust in him alone, for he is our keeper and our deliverer
He provides for all our needs and watches over us always
He never lets us be overcome by evil and leads us to righteousness
Do not fear the enemy’s plots, tactics, schemes and attacks
He has promised protection to all those whom he loves
Remember what he has done in the time of Moses?
He will do the same for all those who serve him
Continue to press on for our keeper is faithful
He never lets his people make a habit of being sinful.
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REFLECTION
• How do you feel knowing that your keeper or guardian is actually the Lord himself who made heaven and earth?
PSALM 120 DELIVERANCE PRAYER FROM LIES & DECEPTION
March 9
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PSALM 120
In my distress I called to the LORD,
and he answered me.2 Deliver me, O LORD,
from lying lips, from a deceitful tongue.
3 What shall be given to you,
and what more shall be done to you,
you deceitful tongue?
4 A warrior’s sharp arrows,
with glowing coals of the broom tree!
5 Woe to me, that I sojourn in Meshech,
that I dwell among the tents of Kedar!
6 Too long have I had my dwelling
among those who hate peace. 7 I am for peace,
but when I speak, they are for war!
– Psalm 120:1-7
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PSALM 120 DELIVERANCE PRAYER FROM LIES & DECEPTION
A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
O Lord, I plead you gracious and merciful Father
Release me from the wickedness and deceit of liars
When I say something to them, they twist my words
Help me not to react and be angry at their ploys
Make me discern their schemes at its beginning stage
Do not leave me and be gobbled up by their cunning ways
I love your word and all your commandments
Equip me with courage and boldness to expose them
Let them not succeed in their schemes of deception
Build up my faith so I will not give in to temptations.
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REFLECTION
• Why is it important to pray for deliverance from lies and deceptions especially with covert and sly liars and deceivers under the guise of niceness & flattery?
PSALM 119 GREAT PEACE TO LOVERS OF THE LAW
March 8
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PSALM 119
161 Princes persecute me without cause,
but my heart stands in awe of your words.
162 I rejoice at your word like one who finds great spoil.
163 I hate and abhor falsehood, but I love your law.
164 Seven times a day I praise you for your righteous rules.
165 Great peace have those who love your law;
nothing can make them stumble.
166 I hope for your salvation, O LORD,
and I do your commandments.
167 My soul keeps your testimonies;
I love them exceedingly.
168 I keep your precepts and testimonies,
for all my ways are before you.
– Psalm 119:161-168
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PSALM 119 GREAT PEACE TO LOVERS OF THE LAW
A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
We praise you Lord for the gift of your word and your law
Because we are fallen in our nature, it is so easy to fall
We rejoice in your word as it cuts into our hearts like a two-edged sword
Let us constantly follow every truth that comes from your word.
Whenever we ignore your laws and go on our own, we fail
It is through your precepts that you show your steadfast love
To those who take delight and obey your laws, peace usually follows
Haters of your precept and your word are easily tempted and wallow.
Help us to praise you seven times or for as often as we have breath
Keep our minds focused on you and give us a hunger for your truth
Grant us courage to let go of our selfish nature and guide us to your way
Keep us walking with the Spirit so we can follow your light and have life.
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REFLECTION
• How is loving the word and God’s law going to lead us in peace?
PSALM 119 AN UNDERSTANDING ACCORDING TO YOUR WORD
March 7
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PSALM 119
169 Let my cry come before you, O LORD;
give me understanding according to your word!
170 Let my plea come before you; deliver me according to your word.
171 My lips will pour forth praise, for you teach me your statutes.
172 My tongue will sing of your word, all your commandments are right.
173 Let your hand be ready to help me, for I have chosen your precepts.
174 I long for your salvation, O LORD, and your law is my delight.
175 Let my soul live and praise you, and let your rules help me.
176 I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek your servant,
for I do not forget your commandments.
– Psalm 119:169-176
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PSALM 119 AN UNDERSTANDING ACCORDING TO YOUR WORD
A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
Praise the Lord for giving us his wisdom through his word
Without it, we will grow weary, confused, burdened and tired
Let me declare your precepts day and night so I can stay in your light
Hold my tongue from using it to bring forth death; instead let it bring life.
Whenever I rely on my own understanding, I fail to walk in love
But when I meditate on your word, I learn to give grace
Give me an understanding according to your word
Help me never to be drawn to this very corrupt world.
Be ready to give me aide when I am in distress and anxious
Prod me to run to your word so the enemy’s tactics will be exposed
Let me live to praise you alone and build up the body of Christ
Glory be to you my Lord, for you are the source and giver of life.
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REFLECTION
• How has the word of God made you see things differently?
• Why is it important to meditate on his word day and night according to Joshua 1:8?
PSALM 119 THE SUM OF GOD’S WORD IS TRUTH
March 6
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PSALM 119
153 Look on my affliction and deliver me,
for I do not forget your law.
154 Plead my cause and redeem me;
give me life according to your promise!
155 Salvation is far from the wicked,
for they do not seek your statutes.
156 Great is your mercy, O LORD;
give me life according to your rules.
157 Many are my persecutors and my adversaries,
but I do not swerve from your testimonies.
158 I look at the faithless with disgust,
because they do not keep your commands.
159 Consider how I love your precepts!
Give me life according to your steadfast love.
160 The sum of your word is truth,
and every one of your righteous rules endures forever.
– Psalm 119:153-160
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PSALM 119 THE SUM OF GOD’S WORD IS TRUTH
A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
O Lord, you have given us your word so we can have life
Teach us to dwell on it and live it so we can stay in your light
The sum of your word is truth; let us heed it so we can stay pure
Give us discernment to expose the pursuit of the enemy to destroy
Your steadfast love keeps us safe and protects us from evil
Show us how to love as you do, so we can overcome the devil
Keep us obedient, subservient and deliver us from lawlessness
Guard our minds and hearts so we can follow the path to righteousness
Bless all those who love and take delight in your word
So that they may glorify you and praise your holy name.
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REFLECTION
• What do you think verse 155 mean when the psalmist says “Salvation is far from the wicked for they do not seek your statutes?”
PSALM 119 WHEN YOU MEDIATE ON GOD’S WORD & PROMISES
March 5
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PSALM 119
145 With my whole heart I cry; answer me, O LORD!
I will keep your statutes.146 I call to you; save me,
that I may observe your testimonies.
147 I rise before dawn and cry for help; I hope in your words.
148 My eyes are awake before the watches of the night,
that I may meditate on your promise.
149 Hear my voice according to your steadfast love;
O LORD, according to your justice give me life.
150 They draw near who persecute me with evil purpose;
they are far from your law.151 But you are near, O LORD,
and all your commandments are true.
152 Long have I known from your testimonies
that you have founded them forever.
– Psalm 119:145-152
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PSALM 119 WHEN YOU MEDIATE ON GOD’S WORD & PROMISES
A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
My mind and heart can be full of concerns with the world
O Lord, grant me a constant longing to meditate on your word
Hear my plea for deliverance from distractions and wickedness
Make your path straight before me so I will choose righteousness
Let me reflect and remember all your promises to those whom you love
Keep my anxiety minimal and change it to rely and constantly trust.
Give me wisdom to discern spirits and guide me to do what is right
Help me to exercise love and gentleness when things don’t seem bright
When I meditate on your word, I begin to understand what seems unclear
When I stand on your promises, I let go of despair and become hopeful
Come close to me Lord as I draw nearer to you each and every moment
Let me grow in the fear of you and in my reliance in your omnipotence.
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REFLECTION
• How often do you meditate on God’s word and his promises? Why is it essential to do this as a Christian?
PSALM 119 YOUR TESTIMONIES ARE RIGHTEOUS FOREVER
March 4
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PSALM 119
137 Righteous are you, O LORD, and right are your rules.
138 You have appointed your testimonies
in righteousness and in all faithfulness.
139 My zeal consumes me,
because my foes forget your words.
140 Your promise is well tried,
and your servant loves it.
141 I am small and despised,
yet I do not forget your precepts.
142 Your righteousness is righteous forever,
and your law is true.
143 Trouble and anguish have found me out,
but your commandments are my delight.
144 Your testimonies are righteous forever;
give me understanding that I may live.
– Psalm 119:137-144
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PSALM 119 YOUR TESTIMONIES ARE RIGHTEOUS FOREVER
A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
O Lord, you are full of steadfast love and righteous altogether
Grant me stability to follow your precepts without hesitating
Even in the midst of troubles and being despised and marginalized
I will still delight in your laws and follow your commandments.
Righteous are you my Lord, everything you do is for good
Let me focus on your word so I won’t be corrupted by the world
Your testimonies are righteous forever and is a reminder of your love
Let me declare and be a witness to all of your shower of mercy and grace.
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REFLECTION
• What is the psalmist’s antidote for troubles and anguish in verse 143?
• What are the results of taking delight in the law of the Lord and his testimonies?
PSALM 119 YOUR WORD GIVES LIGHT & WISDOM TO THE SIMPLE
March 3
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PSALM 119
129 Your testimonies are wonderful;
therefore my soul keeps them.
130 The unfolding of your words gives light;
it imparts understanding to the simple.
131 I open my mouth and pant,
because I long for your commandments.
132 Turn to me and be gracious to me,
as is your way with those who love your name.
133 Keep steady my steps according to your promise,
and let no iniquity get dominion over me.
134 Redeem me from man’s oppression,
that I may keep your precepts.
135 Make your face shine upon your servant,
and teach me your statutes.
136 My eyes shed streams of tears,
because people do not keep your law. – Psalm 119:129-136
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PSALM 119 YOUR WORD GIVES LIGHT & WISDOM TO THE SIMPLE
A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
O Lord, let my mouth only declare what is true and what is right
Help me hunger for it for the unfolding of your word gives light
Keep my path always leading to follow your commandments
Save me from human injustice and man’s oppressions
I mourn for those who do not want to commit to your laws
Rescue us when we go with our nature and follow our flesh.
Let all the faithful ones shout out loud your wonderful deeds
Let no one boast of anything because you made all things
Even the simple can be wise when they read your word
Scripture brings clarity and wisdom to overcome this world
Make your face shine on all you’ve chosen and all those who love you
Protect us from haughtiness, pride or being wise in our own views.
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REFLECTION
• Share a time when the word of God shed light on something that was unclear.
PSALM 119 BECAUSE I HAVE DONE WHAT IS JUST AND RIGHT
March 2
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PSALM 119
121 I have done what is just and right;
do not leave me to my oppressors.
122 Give your servant a pledge of good;
let not the insolent oppress me.
123 My eyes long for your salvation
and for the fulfillment of your righteous promise.
124 Deal with your servant according to your steadfast love,
and teach me your statutes.
125 I am your servant; give me understanding,
that I may know your testimonies!
126 It is time for the LORD to act,
for your law has been broken.
127 Therefore I love your commandments
above gold, above fine gold.
128 Therefore I consider all your precepts to be right;
I hate every false way. – Psalm 119:121-128
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PSALM 119 BECAUSE I HAVE DONE WHAT IS JUST AND RIGHT
A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
O Lord, you have chosen me as your servant
You also gave me your Spirit to do what’s right
Your steadfast love overflows to those whom you love
Your grace alone sustains us so we are able to grow.
Because I have faithfully done what is just and right
Give me protection and deliverance from the evil one
Grant wisdom to your devoted people who is in dire need of you
Because I have shown no partiality and followed your laws.
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REFLECTION
• Why do you think the psalmist sounded so confident about his faithfulness to
do what is just and right?
• Why is it important for us to pray for God to give us wisdom and discernment?