November 26
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PSALM 79 LET YOUR COMPASSION COME UPON US LORD
8 Do not remember against us our former iniquities;
let your compassion come speedily to meet us, for we are brought very low.
9 Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of your name;
deliver us, and atone for our sins, for your name’s sake!
10 Why should the nations say, “Where is their God?”
Let the avenging of the outpoured blood of your servants
be known among the nations before our eyes!
11 Let the groans of the prisoners come before you;
according to your great power, preserve those doomed to die!
12 Return sevenfold into the lap of our neighbors
the taunts with which they have taunted you, O Lord!
13 But we your people, the sheep of your pasture, will give thanks to you forever;
from generation to generation we will recount your praise. – Psalm 79:8-13
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A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
O Lord come quickly to my aide; I am exhausted from the enemy’s attacks
Help me and save me from the hidden tactics that the devil brings about
Forgive me for letting the flesh take over me when I am blindsided
Grant me mercy and courage to get up from the sins I have yielded to.
Return back to the enemy all his schemes seven times more
Let me be aware of the existence of such plots even before it hits
May your grace be manifest in my heart so I can forgive them
I plead you Lord to let me be aware of all your angels around me.
Even though I am pressed down by these evil forces
I will continue to thank you and give you all the glory
Hear my groans for deliverance and give me strength
Help me get up from this fall and worship you even more.
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REFLECTION
• What is the psalmist referring to in this community of lament when he asked for compassion from the Lord?
• Should you be compassionate to those who do evil to you? Why or why not?
Author Archives: ilmaarts
PSALM 79 PRAYER FOR MERCY AND DELIVERANCE
November 25
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PSALM 79 PRAYER FOR MERCY AND DELIVERANCE
O God, the nations have come into your inheritance;
they have defiled your holy temple; they have laid Jerusalem in ruins.
2 They have given the bodies of your servants to the birds of the heavens for food,
the flesh of your faithful to the beasts of the earth.
3 They have poured out their blood like water all around Jerusalem,
and there was no one to bury them.
4 We have become a taunt to our neighbors, mocked and derided by those around us.
5 How long, O LORD? Will you be angry forever? Will your jealousy burn like fire?
6 Pour out your anger on the nations that do not know you,
and on the kingdoms that do not call upon your name!
7 For they have devoured Jacob and laid waste his habitation. – Psalm 79:1-7
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A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
O Lord of my righteousness, give us comfort as we go through trials
There is so much pain and suffering for those who are faithful
How long will we the mockery of those who don’t know you prevail?
They have continually laugh at us for believing in you.
Rise up O Lord, defend your people as you have promised
Those unbelievers continue to plot against us and employ their agendas
Have mercy on us and protect us from all their evil schemes
Expose them and turn their wickedness towards them so that they may see.
Forgive us when we grow weary, distressed and hopeless
Make us remember that you are in control of all these helplessness
Keep our eyes focused on your steadfast love and mercy
Give us strength so we can endure for your glory.
I cry out to you my Lord and my gracious Father
You alone can free me from the enemy’s slavery
Keep me safe in your arms and draw near to me
I will praise you even through all the adversities.
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REFLECTION
• How must a true Christian deal with persecution and mockery from unbelievers?
PSALM 78 GOD CHOOSES HIS SERVANT
November 24
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PSALM 78 GOD CHOOSES HIS SERVANT
63 Fire devoured their young men, and their young women had no marriage song.
64 Their priests fell by the sword, and their widows made no lamentation.
65 Then the Lord awoke as from sleep, like a strong man shouting because of wine.
66 And he put his adversaries to rout; he put them to everlasting shame.
67 He rejected the tent of Joseph; he did not choose the tribe of Ephraim,
68 but he chose the tribe of Judah, Mount Zion, which he loves.
69 He built his sanctuary like the high heavens,
like the earth, which he has founded forever.
70 He chose David his servant and took him from the sheepfolds;
71 from following the nursing ewes he brought him
to shepherd Jacob his people, Israel his inheritance.
72 With upright heart he shepherded them
and guided them with his skillful hand. – Psalm 78:63-72
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A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
The Lord God makes all the choices to pick his servants
No one can claim that he chooses God to be his master
The Lord can do as he pleases; we are at his mercy and grace
He may sometimes allow evil in your life to make you grow.
No one can understand why God chooses some and rejects others
But to all that he selects, the Lord gives them his Spirit
When he chooses you, he gives you the ability to repent
The Holy Spirit guides you what to do in all events.
Even though God is powerful and in control
He never forces anyone to believe him or be faithful
The Lord uses his power to bring glory to himself
He won’t tolerate any competition from his creation.
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REFLECTION
• If God chooses his servants and we have no role in this, why do some religions think that they can choose the Lord and make that decision?
• If God does everything, what is our role as believers in this doctrine of the elect?
PSALM 78 IDOLS & REBELLION PROVOKE GOD’S WRATH
November 23
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PSALM 78 IDOLS & REBELLION PROVOKE GOD’S WRATH
55 He drove out nations before them;
he apportioned them for a possession
and settled the tribes of Israel in their tents.
56 Yet they tested and rebelled against the Most High God
and did not keep his testimonies,
57 but turned away and acted treacherously like their fathers;
they twisted like a deceitful bow.
58 For they provoked him to anger with their high places;
they moved him to jealousy with their idols.
59 When God heard, he was full of wrath, and he utterly rejected Israel.
60 He forsook his dwelling at Shiloh, the tent where he dwelt among mankind,
61 and delivered his power to captivity, his glory to the hand of the foe.
62 He gave his people over to the sword and vented his wrath on his heritage.
– Psalm 78:55-62
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A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
Do you examine your life to see if you serve and follow the Lord?
Are you surrounded by distractions and corrupted by the systems of this world?
Do you test the Lord your Most High by not keeping his commands?
What things are so ingrained in you that leads you to constantly demand?
When the Israelites rebelled against the Lord and created idols
They moved the Lord to jealousy and provoked his anger.
They were constantly protected by him initially but now got his wrath
When God’s fury is stirred, no one can stand his judgment.
Will you learn from the lawlessness and idolatry of your ancestors?
Are you aware that idols and rebellion surrounds you?
Let go of all pride, idolatry and all unrighteousness
Serve the Lord your God alone and he’ll grant you steadfastness.
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REFLECTION
• 1 Samuel 15:23 says “For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry.” -Does this verse relate to the sins of the Israelites in this psalm? How can we detect idols that we don’t see and rebellion in our hearts?
PSALM 78 WHEN GOD LEADS US
November 22
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PSALM 78 WHEN GOD LEADS US
44 He turned their rivers to blood, so that they could not drink of their streams.
45 He sent among them swarms of flies,
which devoured them, and frogs, which destroyed them.
46 He gave their crops to the destroying locust
and the fruit of their labor to the locust.
47 He destroyed their vines with hail and their sycamores with frost.
48 He gave over their cattle to the hail and their flocks to thunderbolts.
49 He let loose on them his burning anger, wrath,
indignation, and distress, a company of destroying angels.
50 He made a path for his anger; he did not spare them from death,
but gave their lives over to the plague.51 He struck down every firstborn in Egypt,
the firstfruits of their strength in the tents of Ham.
52 Then he led out his people like sheep and guided them in the wilderness like a flock.
53 He led them in safety, so that they were not afraid, but the sea overwhelmed their enemies. 54 And he brought them to his holy land,
to the mountain which his right hand had won. – Psalm 78:44-54
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A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
Just like the Israelites, God leads us in safety out of bondage from evil
The enemy will not stand a chance hurting or attacking God’s people
Because God is steadfast in his love, he will protect his children
Praise the Lord for he is faithful in his love; he will deliver
He will never let the enemy progress in their schemes
Instead, he will bring down his wrath on them
When God leads us, he will be our good Shepherd
He will tend to his flock with much love and fervor
An army of angels watch over those whom God loves
He will never let a bone be broken for he cares for them all.
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REFLECTION
• How is the remembrance of God’s deliverance to the Israelites from the Egyptians a great way to thank the Lord in his steadfast love?
PSALM 78 WHEN YOU TEST THE LORD
November 21
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PSALM 78 WHEN YOU TEST THE LORD
32 In spite of all this, they still sinned; despite his wonders, they did not believe.
33 So he made their days vanish like a breath, and their years in terror.
34 When he killed them, they sought him; they repented and sought God earnestly.
35 They remembered that God was their rock, the Most High God their redeemer.
36 But they flattered him with their mouths; they lied to him with their tongues.
37 Their heart was not steadfast toward him; they were not faithful to his covenant.
38 Yet he, being compassionate, atoned for their iniquity and did not destroy them;
he restrained his anger often and did not stir up all his wrath.
39 He remembered that they were but flesh, a wind that passes and comes not again.
40 How often they rebelled against him in the wilderness and grieved him in the desert!
41 They tested God again and again and provoked the Holy One of Israel.
42 They did not remember his power or the day when he redeemed them from the foe,
43 when he performed his signs in Egypt and his marvels in the fields of Zoan.
– Psalm 78:32-43
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A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
Who among other gods can give mercy and forgiveness?
The Lord God Almighty restrains his anger and continue to be patient
When he delivered his people out of Egypt, he provided for them
He protected them and gave them sustenance for the journey
Despite their grumblings and complaints, he didn’t punish them as they deserve
If God didn’t’ control his wrath, no one else will have a chance to be alive
Who can face a God who has the power to do anything?
Only those who faithfully serve him with all their hearts and minds
They do not walk in the counsel of the wicked and mockers
They fear the Lord and follow the path to his righteousness
Praise the Lord who is full of love and compassion for his people
Do not test the Lord again for it grieves his most Holy Spirit.
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REFLECTION
• Why are we warned in this psalm about not testing God?
PSALM 78 WHEN GOD’S WRATH IS KINDLED
November 20
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PSALM 78 WHEN GOD’S WRATH IS KINDLED
21 Therefore, when the LORD heard, he was full of wrath;
a fire was kindled against Jacob; his anger rose against Israel,
22 because they did not believe in God and did not trust his saving power.
23 Yet he commanded the skies above and opened the doors of heaven,
24 and he rained down on them manna to eat and gave them the grain of heaven.
25 Man ate of the bread of the angels; he sent them food in abundance.
26 He caused the east wind to blow in the heavens,
and by his power he led out the south wind;
27 he rained meat on them like dust, winged birds like the sand of the seas;
28 he let them fall in the midst of their camp, all around their dwellings.
29 And they ate and were well filled, for he gave them what they craved.
30 But before they had satisfied their craving, while the food was still in their mouths,
31 the anger of God rose against them, and he killed the strongest of them
and laid low the young men of Israel. – Psalm 78:21-31
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A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
When the Lord commands his people, he expects obedience
The Lord’s wrath is kindled when there is disobedience and resistance
Though men are naturally ungrateful, the Lord still provides for them
He can grant any plea from his people, but it has to align with his will
When you have the urge to whine and complain about something
Go to the throne of God, be thankful and keep on giving him glory.
When God’s wrath is kindled, be ready to be shocked with what he’ll do
He can destroy anyone he has created; do you think you are excused?
God is love and he hates anything and everything that represents evil
When you continue to do wicked deeds, he knows you are serving the devil
Repent and be transformed by the renewal of your mind, seek the truth
You will not want to be under God’s fury, so keep on walking in love.
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REFLECTION
• Why do some Christian denominations omit God’s wrath as one of his traits?
• What makes God’s wrath kindled according to this psalm?
PSALM 78 THE GOD WHO DELIVERS AND PROVIDES
November 19
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PSALM 78 THE GOD WHO DELIVERS AND PROVIDES
9 The Ephraimites, armed with the bow, turned back on the day of battle.
10 They did not keep God’s covenant, but refused to walk according to his law.
11 They forgot his works and the wonders that he had shown them.
12 In the sight of their fathers he performed wonders in the land of Egypt,
in the fields of Zoan.13 He divided the sea and let them pass through it,
and made the waters stand like a heap.
14 In the daytime he led them with a cloud, and all the night with a fiery light.
15 He split rocks in the wilderness and gave them drink abundantly as from the deep.
16 He made streams come out of the rock and caused waters to flow down like rivers.
17 Yet they sinned still more against him, rebelling against the Most High in the desert.
18 They tested God in their heart by demanding the food they craved.
19 They spoke against God, saying, “Can God spread a table in the wilderness?
20 He struck the rock so that water gushed out and streams overflowed.
Can he also give bread or provide meat for his people?” – Psalm 78:9-20
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A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
O Lord, help me to never forget the things you have done for your people
You performed so many wonders to deliver and provide for all of them
Yet, they continued to sin and rebel against you despite your goodness
They whined and complained while you were delivering them from bondage
Forgive me each time I forget to be thankful for what you have given me
Sometimes I get driven by my desires for a better life instead of being content
Give me a desire to constantly feed in your word and follow your laws
Do not let me be distracted by the corruption of the systems of this world
I praise and glorify you my Lord, you are my deliverer and provider
Give me the grace to repent always and follow your laws faithfully
Cleanse me from all unrighteousness and give me courage to do your will
Let me only pursue a life that is pleasing to you so I won’t be misled by evil.
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REFLECTION
• Why is it easy to forget God’s goodness when we are faced with suffering and trials in our lives just like the Israelites did?
• How is complaining and desiring more an easy path to sin?
PSALM 78 SET YOUR HOPE IN GOD & KEEP HIS LAWS
November 18
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PSALM 78 SET YOUR HOPE IN GOD & KEEP HIS LAWS
Give ear, O my people, to my teaching; incline your ears to the words of my mouth!
2 I will open my mouth in a parable; I will utter dark sayings from of old,
3 things that we have heard and known, that our fathers have told us.
4 We will not hide them from their children, but tell to the coming generation
the glorious deeds of the LORD, and his might, and the wonders that he has done.
5 He established a testimony in Jacob and appointed a law in Israel,
which he commanded our fathers to teach to their children,
6 that the next generation might know them, the children yet unborn,
and arise and tell them to their children,7 so that they should set their hope in God
and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments;
8 and that they should not be like their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation,
a generation whose heart was not steadfast, whose spirit was not faithful to God.
– Psalm 78:1-8
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A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
Lord, help us to always remember the things you’ve done
You have rescued us from sin and gave us freedom
Let us not forget the wonderful deeds you have shown your people
Keep us steadfast in believing that you will always be our protector
Forgive us our tendencies to naturally follow our rebellious nature
Only your Spirit can free us from such automatic inclinations.
Let us keep a steady focus on your laws so we can follow
When we get distressed, let us keep our eyes only in you
As the enemy brings his plan to attack and destroy
Keep us steady and strong to endure all his ploys
We will set our hope only in the Lord who made heaven and earth
Never will we rely on our own understanding but depend on his Spirit.
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REFLECTION
• What things and situations keep us hopeless?
• How can we avoid being distressed and discouraged when we don’t get the results we expect?
PSALM 77 THE GOD WHO WORKS WONDERS
November 17
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PSALM 77 THE GOD WHO WORKS WONDERS
11 I will remember the deeds of the LORD; yes, I will remember your wonders of old.
12 I will ponder all your work, and meditate on your mighty deeds.
13 Your way, O God, is holy. What god is great like our God?
14 You are the God who works wonders; you have made known your might among the peoples.15 You with your arm redeemed your people,
the children of Jacob and Joseph. Selah 16 When the waters saw you, O God,
when the waters saw you, they were afraid; indeed, the deep trembled.
17 The clouds poured out water; the skies gave forth thunder;
your arrows flashed on every side.18 The crash of your thunder was in the whirlwind;
your lightnings lighted up the world; the earth trembled and shook.
19 Your way was through the sea, your path through the great waters;
yet your footprints were unseen. 20 You led your people like a flock
by the hand of Moses and Aaron. – Psalm 77:10-20
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A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
O Lord, I am in awe of your majesty and power
All your creation bows down to you and cower
You are the God who created all things for your purpose
There is no other god who can do such deeds that are marvelous
Your presence manifest in all that you have made
Let me never forget to magnify you in all that you’ve done.
I will remember all the deeds you do in the ancient days
You showed your love to them when you rescued them
You provided manna from heaven to keep them fed
You protected them from the enemy and kept them safe
I praise and glorify you, the Lord who made heaven and earth
Keep me thankful and remember all you have wonderfully made.
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REFLECTION
• What hinders us from magnifying God in our world today?
• What can you do to remove these obstacles that doesn’t focus on the wonderful works of the Lord?