April 14
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PSALM 143
Hear my prayer, O LORD; give ear to my pleas for mercy!
In your faithfulness answer me, in your righteousness!
2 Enter not into judgment with your servant,
for no one living is righteous before you.
3 For the enemy has pursued my soul;
he has crushed my life to the ground;
he has made me sit in darkness like those long dead.
4 Therefore my spirit faints within me;
my heart within me is appalled.
5 I remember the days of old;
I meditate on all that you have done;
I ponder the work of your hands.
6 I stretch out my hands to you;
my soul thirsts for you like a parched land. Selah
– Psalm 143:1-6
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PSALM 143 MY SOUL THIRSTS FOR YOU LIKE A PARCHED LAND
A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
My Lord, listen to my plea for mercy and forgiveness
You are the only one who can absolve me from sinfulness
Help me to stay thirsty and hungry for your word
On my own, I can’t overcome the systems of this world
Remind me how you have redeemed the Israelites
So, I can stay focused on your wisdom and bright light
Let me never long for things from this world
But make me pursue heavenly things so I can stay pure
Continue to grant me a longing for your laws and truth
Help me to think and say only what is lovely and true.
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REFLECTION
• What do people usually long for in life? Why do they want these things?
• How does a Christian’s longing differ from a worldly or ungodly person?