November 18
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PSALM 78 SET YOUR HOPE IN GOD & KEEP HIS LAWS
Give ear, O my people, to my teaching; incline your ears to the words of my mouth!
2 I will open my mouth in a parable; I will utter dark sayings from of old,
3 things that we have heard and known, that our fathers have told us.
4 We will not hide them from their children, but tell to the coming generation
the glorious deeds of the LORD, and his might, and the wonders that he has done.
5 He established a testimony in Jacob and appointed a law in Israel,
which he commanded our fathers to teach to their children,
6 that the next generation might know them, the children yet unborn,
and arise and tell them to their children,7 so that they should set their hope in God
and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments;
8 and that they should not be like their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation,
a generation whose heart was not steadfast, whose spirit was not faithful to God.
– Psalm 78:1-8
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A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
Lord, help us to always remember the things you’ve done
You have rescued us from sin and gave us freedom
Let us not forget the wonderful deeds you have shown your people
Keep us steadfast in believing that you will always be our protector
Forgive us our tendencies to naturally follow our rebellious nature
Only your Spirit can free us from such automatic inclinations.
Let us keep a steady focus on your laws so we can follow
When we get distressed, let us keep our eyes only in you
As the enemy brings his plan to attack and destroy
Keep us steady and strong to endure all his ploys
We will set our hope only in the Lord who made heaven and earth
Never will we rely on our own understanding but depend on his Spirit.
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REFLECTION
• What things and situations keep us hopeless?
• How can we avoid being distressed and discouraged when we don’t get the results we expect?