Tag Archives: ILMA’s blog

PSALM 39 LET ME KNOW HOW FLEETING I AM

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February 5
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PSALM 39 LET ME KNOW HOW FLEETING I AM
I said, “I will guard my ways, that I may not sin with my tongue; I will guard my mouth with a muzzle, so long as the wicked are in my presence.” 2 I was mute and silent; I held my peace to no avail, and my distress grew worse.3 My heart became hot within me. As I mused, the fire burned; then I spoke with my tongue: 4 “O LORD, make me know my end and what is the measure of my days; let me know how fleeting I am! 5 Behold, you have made my days a few handbreadths, and my lifetime is as nothing before you. Surely all mankind stands as a mere breath! Selah 6 Surely a man goes about as a shadow! Surely for nothing they are in turmoil; man heaps up wealth and does not know who will gather.
– Psalm 39:1-6
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PRAYER FOR WISDOM AND PRUDENCE by ILMA
In order for me not to sin with my tongue, I will stop from speaking
Especially in the presence of those who are unbelieving
I didn’t utter a word but deep inside I was apprehensive
I wasn’t used to being quiet and it made me impulsive.
As I spoke, it trapped me to transgress and sin again
O Lord, help me to guard each word that I say
I don’t want to speak anything that isn’t true
Give me grace to use words carefully and choose.
Show me how short my life is so I don’t waste any time
Let me not be concerned with things that are not eternal
You have given each person a fleeting and a short life
Let me not focus on worldly things that are all trivial.
Give me an understanding as to what is everlasting
Guide me to never take for granted all that you gave me
Let me use it for praising you and giving you glory
Protect me from my nature that is selfish and foolish.
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REFLECTION
• Why did David want to be silent in front of those who are wicked?
• Why should we be very careful with what we say especially with those who do not know the Lord?
• Why does David want the Lord to measure his days?

Hide Me from the Wicked ILMA’s blog

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February 18
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HIDE ME FROM THE WICKED
Hear my voice, O God, in my complaint; preserve my life from dread of the enemy.
2 Hide me from the secret plots of the wicked, from the throng of evildoers,
3 Who whet their tongues like swords, who aim bitter words like arrows,
4 Shooting from ambush at the blameless, shooting at him suddenly and without fear.
5 They hold fast to their evil purpose; they talk of laying snares secretly,
Thinking, “Who can see them?” 6They search out injustice,
Saying, “We have accomplished a diligent search.”
For the inward mind and heart of a man are deep.
7 But God shoots his arrow at them; they are wounded suddenly.
8 They are brought to ruin, with their own tongues turned against them;
All who see them will wag their heads.9 Then all mankind fears;
They tell what God has brought about and ponder what he has done.
10 Let the righteous one rejoice in the LORD and take refuge in him!
Let all the upright in heart exult! – Psalm 64:1-10
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The ESV study bible says that this psalm is an individual lament that shares with Psalm 63, a confidence in God’s victory over those who brings trouble on the righteous. The psalm has two parts: a request for help against deadly schemes and confident expectation that God will fight on behalf of his faithful (vv7-10). God gives victory as instruction for mankind (v9) and to bring joy to the godly (v10).
As the psalm indicates, all of us should run to the Lord to hide from the wicked. He must be our refuge. We must not rely on our own selves but only approach the ultimate protector and deliverer, who can grant victory even at the most impossible attacks.
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ADORATION: Praise be to the only source of protection and honor, the Lord God Almighty.
CONFESSION: Forgive me Lord whenever I rely on my own strength to fight evil.
THANKSGIVING: Thank you that you are our refuge, strength, protector and deliverer.
SUPPLICATION: May the Lord constantly hide us from the wicked and all their evil ways.
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REFLECTION
• Do you run to God for protection when the enemy attacks you with lies and evil tactics or do you fight in your own strength?