December 13
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PSALM 88 ARE YOUR WONDERS KNOWN IN THE DARKNESS
10 Do you work wonders for the dead?
Do the departed rise up to praise you? Selah
11 Is your steadfast love declared in the grave, or your faithfulness in Abaddon?
12 Are your wonders known in the darkness, or your righteousness in the land of forgetfulness?
13 But I, O LORD, cry to you, in the morning my prayer comes before you.
14 O LORD, why do you cast my soul away? Why do you hide your face from me?
15 Afflicted and close to death from my youth up, I suffer your terrors; I am helpless.
16 Your wrath has swept over me; your dreadful assaults destroy me.
17 They surround me like a flood all day long; they close in on me together.
18 You have caused my beloved and my friend to shun me;
my companions have become darkness. – Psalm 88:10-18
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A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
O Lord, do not let your presence leave my poor soul or I will suffer
In the past, I never knew your amazing grace because I am so sinful
Because I was so focused on living in this corrupt and fallen world,
I failed to marvel at your greatness; yet you still gave me your word.
Do not cast me out from your love; deliver me from my flesh
If you withdraw your presence from me, the enemy will defeat me
Even the closest to my heart have been serving the enemy
They have surrounded me to tempt and tire me daily.
Forgive me for all my sinfulness O Lord, shower me with your mercy
How can we triumph over evil if you let us wallow in all these darkness?
Deliver me from all these helplessness and terror which have afflicted me long
Heal me O Lord, for I am weakening and getting so depressed slowly.
Cover me with your grace as I struggle with the corruption around me
Do not forsake your faithful servant, you are my vindicator
Save me O my God, only in you will I find peace and safety
I can only thrive in this life for you are with me to give me sustenance.
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REFLECTION
• Why do you think the psalmist wondered if God’s people will remember all his wonderous deed in darkness? What did you think he meant by that?