February 4
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PSALM 142 ATTEND TO MY CRY
With my voice I cry out to the LORD; with my voice I plead for mercy to the LORD.2 I pour out my complaint before him; I tell my trouble before him.3 When my spirit faints within me, you know my way! In the path where I walk they have hidden a trap for me. 4 Look to the right and see: there is none who takes notice of me; no refuge remains to me; no one cares for my soul. 5 I cry to you, O LORD; I say, “You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living.” 6 Attend to my cry, for I am brought very low! Deliver me from my persecutors, for they are too strong for me! 7 Bring me out of prison, that I may give thanks to your name! The righteous will surround me, for you will deal bountifully with me. – Psalm 142:1-7
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IN MY WEAKNESS I CRY OUT TO THE LORD by ILMA
Lord, I will not be silent when I am faced with weaknesses
Grant me protection and deliverance for my feebleness
No one has come to my aide; all have become traitors
Lord, you are the only one who knows that I am truly faithful.
When I am faced with circumstances that are bleak
I know that you are there especially when I am weak
Please hear me, you know my limits and what I can handle
I take shelter in your arms, give me strength in this battle.
The enemies have placed traps to hurt me
I am exhausted with all their ploys and tactics
Take pity on your servant for no one cares for my soul
You are Almighty and the One who can defeat my foes.
I plead you Lord, to take my case seriously
Without you, I cannot have any victory
Help me because my strength is already dwindling
My God, deal with your beloved servant bountifully.
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REFLECTION
• Why is it essential to cry out to God especially when we are depleted of strength and have become discouraged and tired?
• Why did David bring his complaints to God instead of keeping it to himself? What does that tell us about his relationship with God?
Tag Archives: Psalm 142
WHY ARE YOU CAST DOWN O MY SOUL -ILMA’S VLOG
February 27
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WHY ARE YOU CAST DOWN O MY SOUL?
As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God.
2 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God?
3 My tears have been my food day and night, while they say to me all the day long,
“Where is your God?” 4 These things I remember, as I pour out my soul:
How I would go with the throng and lead them in procession to the house of God
With glad shouts and songs of praise, a multitude keeping festival.
5 Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me?
Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation 6 and my God.
My soul is cast down within me; therefore, I remember you
From the land of Jordan and of Hermon, from Mount Mizar.
7 Deep calls to deep at the roar of your waterfalls;
All your breakers and your waves have gone over me.
8 By day the LORD commands his steadfast love, and at night his song is with me,
A prayer to the God of my life. 9 I say to God, my rock: “Why have you forgotten me?
Why do I go mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?”
10 As with a deadly wound in my bones, my adversaries taunt me,
While they say to me all the day long, “Where is your God?”
11 Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me?
Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God. -Psalm 142:1-11
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This psalm expresses a longing for peace amidst the many circumstances that depletes the soul. It is bordering between hopelessness and hopefulness. It exhibits the psalmists choosing to trust God despite the seemingly desperate situation he is experiencing. It is an honest prayer of dependence on God especially in times of weakness.
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ADORATION: Lord, you are my rock, my salvation, my hope. Praise to you Lord!
CONFESSION: Forgive me when I don’t rely on you during times of weakness.
THANKSGIVING: Thank you for a solid foundation in your word.
SUPPLICATION: May we see hope in the midst of all the chaos surrounding us.
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REFLECTION
• What are the reasons why a believer can feel downcast?
• How can feeling downcast be a good chance to exercise our dependence on God?
YOU ARE MY REFUGE Poem Devotional
January 25
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YOU ARE MY REFUGE
With my voice I cry out to the LORD; with my voice I plead for mercy to the LORD.
2 I pour out my complaint before him; I tell my trouble before him.
3 When my spirit faints within me, you know my way!
In the path where I walk they have hidden a trap for me.
4 Look to the right and see: there is none who takes notice of me;
No refuge remains to me; no one cares for my soul.
5 I cry to you, O LORD; I say, “You are my refuge,
My portion in the land of the living.”
6 Attend to my cry, for I am brought very low!
Deliver me from my persecutors, for they are too strong for me!
7 Bring me out of prison, that I may give thanks to your name!
The righteous will surround me, for you will deal bountifully with me.
-Psalm 142:1-7
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In this psalm, David flees from Saul into a cave. He must have been so discouraged after finding out that his loyalty to Saul have been returned with a threat to be killed. Saul’s jealousy over David’s strength, power, anointing and charisma with the people drove Saul to desire him killed. Despite the discouragement, we hear David’s dependence on God, that God is his refuge. What a close relationship he had with the Lord! He can be honest and open about what he feels and how weak and tired he was, and yet trust God fully.
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ADORATION: Praise the Lord for his unwavering faithfulness and love for all his people.
CONFESSION: Forgive me each time I am not honest with you about how I feel when I am discouraged and frustrated.
THANKSGIVING: I am forever grateful for all the strength and encouragement you bring me whenever I need it.
SUPPLICATION: May each believer have the humility and vulnerability to admit their weaknesses and let the Lord take over in times of danger and threat.
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REFLECTION
• Why was David fleeing from Saul when he can actually defend himself easily because he is stronger than him? What was his special relationship with God?