March 9
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I WILL BLESS THE LORD
Vindicate me, O LORD, for I have walked in my integrity,
And I have trusted in the LORD without wavering.
2 Prove me, O LORD, and try me; test my heart and my mind
For your steadfast love is before my eyes, and I walk in your faithfulness.
4 I do not sit with men of falsehood, nor do I consort with hypocrites.
5 I hate the assembly of evildoers, and I will not sit with the wicked.
6 I wash my hands in innocence and go around your altar, O LORD,
7 Proclaiming thanksgiving aloud, and telling all your wondrous deeds.
8 O LORD, I love the habitation of your house and the place where your glory dwells.
9 Do not sweep my soul away with sinners, nor my life with bloodthirsty men,
10 In whose hands are evil devices, and whose right hands are full of bribes.
11 But as for me, I shall walk in my integrity; redeem me, and be gracious to me.
12 My foot stands on level ground; in the great assembly I will bless the LORD.
– Psalm 26:1-12
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An article on gotquestions.org is about What does it mean to bless God? The Hebrew word translated ‘bless’ or ‘praise’ means literally ‘to kneel’, the implication being to kneel in worship. Therefore, to bless the Lord means to praise Him, exalt Him and worship Him. We offer Him our praise and blessings because He deserves them. Unlike God’s blessings upon us, which are wholly undeserved and by His mercy and grace, our blessing God is done out of an understanding that He is the true praiseworthy Creator and our heavenly Father. God is glorified when we bless and praise and acknowledge Him.
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ADORATION: Praise the Lord of all Nations, lift Him up in exultation.
CONFESSION: Forgive me when I get to be so busy to bless you my Lord and my God.
THANKSGIVING: Thank you for being the perfect Father to all your children.
SUPPLICATION: May all of God’s children never forget their purpose in this life: to bring God all the glory, honor and praise.
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REFLECTION
• What are the benefits of blessing the Lord? Why do we need to make a habit of it? What happens when we don’t do it?
Tag Archives: ILMA’s PSALM VLOG
GIVE EAR TO MY VOICE
February 22
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GIVE EAR TO MY VOICE
O LORD, I call upon you; hasten to me! Give ear to my voice when I call to you!
2 Let my prayer be counted as incense before you,
And the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice!
3 Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips!
4 Do not let my heart incline to any evil, to busy myself with wicked deeds
In company with men who work iniquity, and let me not eat of their delicacies!
5 Let a righteous man strike me—it is a kindness; let him rebuke me—
It is oil for my head; let my head not refuse it.
Yet my prayer is continually against their evil deeds.
6 When their judges are thrown over the cliff,
Then they shall hear my words, for they are pleasant.
7 As when one plows and breaks up the earth,
So shall our bones be scattered at the mouth of Sheol; 8 But my eyes are toward you, O GOD, my Lord; in you I seek refuge; leave me not defenseless!
9 Keep me from the trap that they have laid for me and from the snares of evildoers!
10 Let the wicked fall into their own nets, while I pass by safely. – Psalm 141:1-10
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The ESV study bible calls this an individual lament, a prayer that God will protect the faithful person against all insincerity and compromise. This is a prayer to God requesting the Lord to hear the plea for protection over any form of complacency, dishonesty and impurities in their hearts. We can all definitely identify with this prayer. This world is full of seductions to do evil and live compromised lives. When we fail to see that the Lord comes first, we are putting ourselves in danger of being ensnared by the evil one.
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ADORATION: Praise the Lord! He is merciful and loving. He is our protector. Hallelujah!
CONFESSION: Grant me pardon each time I compromise making you first in all.
THANKSGIVING: Thanks be to God who cares for every detail of our lives.
SUPPLICATION: May we never merge evil and righteousness together which is a form of compromise and lack of integrity.
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REFLECTION
• What compromises do you see in the body of Christ and what should you do?