May 10
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GOD HAS LISTENED
You brought us into the net; you laid a crushing burden on our backs;
12 You let men ride over our heads; we went through fire and through water;
Yet you have brought us out to a place of abundance.
13 I will come into your house with burnt offerings; I will perform my vows to you,
14 That which my lips uttered and my mouth promised when I was in trouble.
15 I will offer to you burnt offerings of fattened animals,
With the smoke of the sacrifice of rams; I will make an offering of bulls and goats.
16 Come and hear, all you who fear God, and I will tell what he has done for my soul.
17 I cried to him with my mouth, and high praise was on my tongue.
18 If I had cherished iniquity in my heart, the Lord would not have listened.
19 But truly God has listened; he has attended to the voice of my prayer.
20 Blessed be God, because he has not rejected my prayer
Or removed his steadfast love from me! – Psalm 66:11-20
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This psalm recounts how God allowed suffering and pain in the lives of those whom He delivers. These trials and hardships are what God used to bring them out of trouble. It becomes a test of their faith and the source of strength and endurance to go through what comes their way. Verses 17-18 identifies what will be required for God to hear our prayers: fear of the Lord and giving up of sin. These are very essential requirements of answered prayer. Oftentimes, man do not follow such necessities when they lift up their voices to God. Many occasions, we fail to ask in line with his will. Thus, we end up not being able to be heard. God will never give us anything that will be detrimental to us. Have you ever asked God something and he listened?
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ADORATION: Praise a God who hears our prayers. He is full of Mercy and steadfast Love.
CONFESSION: Forgive me each time I ask something that isn’t what you want for me.
THANKSGIVING: Thank you Lord, for all your test so I can grow in faith and endurance.
SUPPLICATION: May all of God’s people recognize the importance of trials and hardships in life and learn to endure and grow their faith.
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REFLECTION