June 12
________________________________________
PSALM 38 DO NOT FORSAKE ME LORD
15 But for you, O LORD, do I wait;
it is you, O Lord my God, who will answer.
16 For I said, “Only let them not rejoice over me,
who boast against me when my foot slips!”
17 For I am ready to fall, and my pain is ever before me.
18 I confess my iniquity; I am sorry for my sin.
19 But my foes are vigorous, they are mighty,
and many are those who hate me wrongfully.
20 Those who render me evil for good
accuse me because I follow after good.
21 Do not forsake me, O LORD!
O my God, be not far from me!
22 Make haste to help me,
O Lord, my salvation! – Psalm 38:15-22
________________________________________
MAKE HASTE TO HELP ME, O LORD by ILMA
My Lord, I am constantly surrounded with much troubles
Please take pity on me and pull me out of this rubble
My foes are unstoppable, they never sleep
Day and night, they cunningly scheme.
They render evil though I treat them right
May you equip me with much wisdom and insight
Do not forsake me especially when I am weak
It makes these trials less hopeless and bleak.
How long will you make haste to help me, O Lord?
Without your presence, I can’t navigate this world
You are my only source of help, deliverance and joy
May you grant me all I need to thrive and exult.
________________________________________
REFLECTION
• Why is it a good practice to run to God’s throne when we are beset by troubles and attacks from the enemy?
Tag Archives: Psalm 3:8
PSALM 38 LIKE A MUTE MAN
June 11
________________________________________
PSALM 38 LIKE A MUTE MAN
9 O Lord, all my longing is before you;
my sighing is not hidden from you.
10 My heart throbs; my strength fails me,
and the light of my eyes—it also has gone from me.
11 My friends and companions stand aloof from my plague,
and my nearest kin stand far off.
12 Those who seek my life lay their snares;
those who seek my hurt speak of ruin
and meditate treachery all day long.
13 But I am like a deaf man; I do not hear,
like a mute man who does not open his mouth.
14 I have become like a man who does not hear,
and in whose mouth are no rebukes.– Psalm 38:8-14
________________________________________
IN SILENCE I ENDURE THE ENEMY’S ATTACK by ILMA
O Lord, I open up my heart to you, nothing is hidden from you
It hurts as friends including my companions and relatives turn aloof
They have chosen to lay snares to hurt me; grant me strength
It was shocking to realize that they were intentionally hurting me
There were manipulation and treachery that I didn’t see clearly
I totally trusted them and never thought they can be that wicked.
Because I know that you will never forsake me, I will keep silent
I have become like a man who does not hear all their evil schemes
Like your Son, I will be like a lamb being brought to the slaughter
I will not say a word to defend myself; God is my vindicator
Help me to endure the attacks of the enemy; keep me lowly
I will follow how your Son dealt with them with much humility.
________________________________________
REFLECTION
• Why is keeping one’s mouth shut considered wise as Proverbs 21:23 says?
• How can a fool look wise when he is silent as Proverbs 17:28 says?
PSALM 38 REBUKE ME NOT IN YOUR ANGER LORD
June 10
________________________________________
PSALM 38 REBUKE ME NOT IN YOUR ANGER LORD
O LORD, rebuke me not in your anger,
nor discipline me in your wrath!
2 For your arrows have sunk into me,
and your hand has come down on me.
3 There is no soundness in my flesh
because of your indignation;
there is no health in my bones because of my sin.
4 For my iniquities have gone over my head;
like a heavy burden, they are too heavy for me.
5 My wounds stink and fester because of my foolishness,
6 I am utterly bowed down and prostrate;
all the day I go about mourning.
7 For my sides are filled with burning,
and there is no soundness in my flesh.
8 I am feeble and crushed;
I groan because of the tumult of my heart. – Psalm 38:1-8
________________________________________
REBUKE ME NOT IN ANGER LORD by ILMA
O Lord, forgive me for my weaknesses and sinfulness
My iniquities have overwhelmed and pestered me
I bow down on my knees for letting the flesh win
I am so weak and crushed; forgive me for all my sins.
O Lord, rebuke me but not in your anger or I won’t survive
Discipline me, but please be gentle on me or I won’t thrive
I repent of all my sins, forgive me and cleanse me Lord
Without your gentle rebuke, I won’t navigate this world.
________________________________________
REFLECTION
• Why did the psalmist request for a gentle rebuke from the Lord?
• How is discipline important in a believer’s life?
• Comment on how the world view rebuke and discipline nowadays.
VICTORY FROM CHRIST Poem Devotional
February 12________________________________________
Victory comes from you, O Lord. May you bless your people. – Psalm 3:8(NLT)
VICTORY FROM CHRIST
A poem and essay by ILMA
If you think you can win without Christ
You are deluding yourself in this life
Victory comes only from God’s power
It is him alone who can make Satan cower.
Why do you continue to use your own effort to win?
Leave to Christ all your struggles over sin
He is the only one who has authority over us
Trust him and you’ll have no need to fix, worry or fuss.
________________________________________
Have you ever watched a live sports event? I used to be a cyclist and watching the Tour De France was always a joy. Even if I am just on television and not being there in France, I could feel the journey and challenges that these cyclists experience vicariously. It is months of hard work and pressing on that brings about victory for these athletes. Our struggles in life builds our character and perseverance just as these athletes’ lives brings about the desire to win the competition or tournament.
In God’s economy, our victory comes from faith and hope. We don’t win from life’s challenges in our own efforts. We grow in our faith when we continually hope that God is going to deliver and fulfill his promises. Even though we don’t see results or get answers, we look up to the victory that comes only from him.
________________________________________
PRAYER
Lord, help me to rely on you always.
REFLECTION
Please bring me victory over the enemy’s ploys.
For more testimonials about God’s word, please go to YouTube and type ILMA’s poem devotional or go to www.ilmaarts.com posts. To receive emails of my poem devotionals, email me at ILMA.ARTS.STUDIO@gmail.com