March 15
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PSALM 64 HIDE ME FROM THE PLOTS OF THE WICKED
Hear my voice, O God, in my complaint; preserve my life from dread of the enemy.2 Hide me from the secret plots of the wicked, from the throng of evildoers,3 who whet their tongues like swords, who aim bitter words like arrows, 4 shooting from ambush at the blameless, shooting at him suddenly and without fear. 5 They hold fast to their evil purpose; they talk of laying snares secretly, thinking, “Who can see them?” 6They search out injustice, saying, “We have accomplished a diligent search.” For the inward mind and heart of a man are deep. 7 But God shoots his arrow at them; they are wounded suddenly.8 They are brought to ruin, with their own tongues turned against them; all who see them will wag their heads. 9 Then all mankind fears; they tell what God has brought about and ponder what he has done.10 Let the righteous one rejoice in the LORD and take refuge in him! Let all the upright in heart exult! – Psalm 64:1-10
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A PLEA FOR DEFENCE FROM ENEMIES by ILMA
O Lord, listen to my plea for protection and safety
The enemy has plotted to steal my peace and destroy me
Preserve me from the dread of their plot to attack
Hide me from their plans to ruin and sabotage.
Day and night, they scheme to oppress my progress
Lord come to my aide so I that I don’t have to be distracted
They have used others to manipulate their way into me
You promised to be my shield from all their wicked tactics.
Lord, keep me focused on your steadfast love and mercy
Your armor and shield will safeguard me against the enemy
Let your righteous people overcome and triumph over evil
Defend your faithful saints from the schemes of the devil.
Let all your people rejoice and worship you constantly
Remind us to submit always to your care and authority
Never let wickedness destroy your faithful people
Lord, deliver us from every evil thing that prevails.
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REFLECTION
• Why is it essential for believers to constantly pray for deliverance and protection from wickedness and corruption?
Category Archives: Poem devotionals
PSALM 115 THE LORD IS OUR HELP AND OUR SHIELD
March 14
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PSALM 115 THE LORD IS OUR HELP AND OUR SHIELD
10 O house of Aaron, trust in the LORD! He is their help and their shield.11 You who fear the LORD, trust in the LORD! He is their help and their shield. 12 The LORD has remembered us; he will bless us; he will bless the house of Israel; he will bless the house of Aaron;
13 he will bless those who fear the LORD, both the small and the great. 14 May the LORD
give you increase, you and your children!15 May you be blessed by the LORD, who made heaven and earth! 16 The heavens are the LORD’s heavens, but the earth he has given to the children of man. 17 The dead do not praise the LORD, nor do any who go down into
silence. 18 But we will bless the LORD from this time forth and forevermore. Praise the LORD! – Psalm 115:10-18
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PRAISE THE LORD WHO IS OUR HELP AND SHIELD by ILMA
Praise the Lord for he is our help and our defender
He protects us from all darts and arrows of the offender
Trust in the Lord, all you who belong to him
He is your shield against all of the enemy’s tactics
The Lord remembers us and never abandons us
You may not see how he does it; be devoted to trust
He is faithful and steadfast in his love; Go and praise him
He blesses all those who are devoted to give him glory
He will prosper you and all your children and their children
Never fail to worship him because he made you alive in Jesus
He gave you life and the earth to steward and care for
Why won’t your heart be in awe and constantly be thankful?
Bless the Lord from this time forth and forevermore
Do not be silent to proclaim his goodness to everyone
Proclaim his Good News to the ends of the earth
Give him all the adoration that he so much deserves
The Lord is faithful and steadfast in his love for us
He freed us from sin through Christ who is the ultimate sacrifice.
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REFLECTION
• How has the Lord manifest as the help and the shield in your life? Share some instances that he showed you how faithful he was to deliver and defend you.
PSALM 115 TO THE LORD BE ALL THE GLORY
March 13
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PSALM 115 TO THE LORD BE ALL THE GLORY
Not to us, O LORD, not to us, but to your name give glory,
for the sake of your steadfast love and your faithfulness!
2 Why should the nations say, “Where is their God?”
3 Our God is in the heavens he does all that he pleases.
4 Their idols are silver and gold, the work of human hands.
5 They have mouths, but do not speak; eyes, but do not see.
6 They have ears, but do not hear; noses, but do not smell.
7 They have hands, but do not feel; feet, but do not walk;
and they do not make a sound in their throat.
8 Those who make them become like them;
so do all who trust in them.
9 O Israel, trust in the LORD!
He is their help and their shield.
– Psalm 115:1-9
________________________________________THE FOLLY OF IDOLS by ILMA
To God, our Lord and Master be given all recognition
No other gods would be deserving of adoration
He made heaven and earth and all creatures on it
Without a doubt, we won’t have anything if not for him
Why would any man even think of making their idols?
It is futile to compete with a God who owns all things
How could man-made compare with divine creation?
It is pointless to even think of attempting competition
Though idols may look exemplary on the outside
They are hollow, empty and powerless on the inside
If you think that idols can make you be satisfied
What a lie it is to even think that it will gratify!
They may seem to meet your cravings for now
But it will only lead you to destruction and doom.
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REFLECTION
• What do idols represent in the heart of man? Why is it futile to hold on to idols?
PSALM 26 VINDICATE ME O, LORD
March 12
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PSALM 26 VINDICATE ME O, 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.
3 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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A PLEA FOR VINDICATION by ILMA
O Lord, I plead you to vindicate me for I have walked uprightly
I have depended on you without wavering and so completely
I ask you Lord to verify and test my mind and heart
I walk faithfully with your Spirit, worshipping you in truth
I do not sit with those who choose to walk in wickedness
Instead, I expose all evil that compromise righteousness
I loathe those who plot evil and spread false teachings
I love to be in your communion of saints and sanctuary
Lord, deliver me from habitual sinners who don’t repent
Only in your grace will I be able not to be tempted
As for me, I will always serve you my Lord and my God
I will remain in your faithful and steadfast love
I plead you to redeem and grant me grace and mercy
I will continue to worship you, Father, Son and Spirit
O my gracious God, defend me from this corrupt world
Let me never neglect to abide in you and follow your word.
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REFLECTION
• Why do you think David is so confident to ask God to be vindicated in this psalm?
PSALM 65 GOD’S CARE FOR HIS CREATION
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March 11
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PSALM 65 GOD’S CARE FOR HIS CREATION
9 You visit the earth and water it;
you greatly enrich it;
the river of God is full of water;
you provide their grain,
for so you have prepared it.
10 You water its furrows abundantly,
settling its ridges,
softening it with showers,
and blessing its growth.
11 You crown the year with your bounty;
your wagon tracks overflow with abundance.
12 The pastures of the wilderness overflow,
the hills gird themselves with joy,
13 the meadows clothe themselves with flocks,
the valleys deck themselves with grain,
they shout and sing together for joy.
– Psalm 65:9-13
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GOD’S BOUNTIFUL PROVISION by ILMA
O Lord, for all your provision and love, we are grateful
You always ensure that your creation stays bountiful
As I watch the river flows, I am reminded of your power
I am amazed as I behold the fields of crops and flowers
You clothe your meadows with herds and flocks of animals
What a joy to behold all your many ways of sustenance
You provide for all your people’s nutrition and needs
Even their spiritual food, you never fail to give
Thank you for all that you make available for your creation
Let us never take for granted your generous provision.
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REFLECTION
• Why is counting our blessings a way of thanksgiving and worship to the Maker of all things?
PSALM 65 THE LORD ATONES FOR OUR TRANSGRESSIONS
March 10
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PSALM 65 THE LORD ATONES FOR OUR TRANSGRESSIONS
Praise is due to you, O God, in Zion, and to you shall vows be performed. 2 O you who
hear prayer, to you shall all flesh come.3 When iniquities prevail against me, you atone for our transgressions.4 Blessed is the one you choose and bring near, to dwell in your courts! We shall be satisfied with the goodness of your house, the holiness of your temple! 5 By awesome deeds you answer us with righteousness, O God of our salvation,
the hope of all the ends of the earth and of the farthest seas; 6 the one who by his strength established the mountains, being girded with might; 7 who stills the roaring of the seas, the roaring of their waves, the tumult of the peoples,8 so that those who dwell at the ends of the earth are in awe at your signs. You make the going out of the morning and the evening to shout for joy. – Psalm 65:1-8
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PRAISE TO THE ONE WHO HEARS OUR PRAYERS by ILMA
O Lord, you are the One whose love is steadfast
You are faithful to forgive the sins of the past
When my tendency to sin overwhelms me
You atone for all of them and grant me mercy.
Blessed are all those whom you have elected
Your grace and goodness keeps the saints satisfied
When we respond to you with our awesome deeds
You shower us with righteousness and blessings.
O God of our salvation, you gave us signs of wonder
One word to your creation and they cannot help but follow
You can make something with your breath and a word
You are in control of everything happening in this world.
O Lord, you who hear all our prayers, grant our requests
Without your guidance we will be confused, lost and perish
We cry out to you, Lord! Grant us a heart that longs to know you
Give us a desire to please you and always worship in spirit and in truth.
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REFLECTION
• How can we fight the tendency to complain and be content and satisfied with what the Lord has given us? How do we respond to his atonement of our sins?
THE KING OF GLORY Poem Devotional
February 17
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THE KING OF GLORY
The earth is the LORD’s and the fullness there of the world and those who dwell therein,
2 For he has founded it upon the seas and established it upon the rivers.
3 Who shall ascend the hill of the LORD? And who shall stand in his holy place?
4 He who has clean hands and a pure heart,
Who does not lift up his soul to what is false and does not swear deceitfully.
5 He will receive blessing from the LORD and righteousness from the God of his salvation.
6 Such is the generation of those who seek him, who seek the face of the God of Jacob.
7 Lift up your heads, O gates! And be lifted up, O ancient doors,
That the King of glory may come in. 8 Who is this King of glory?
The LORD, strong and mighty, the LORD, mighty in battle!
9 Lift up your heads, O gates! And lift them up, O ancient doors,
That the King of glory may come in. 10 Who is this King of glory?
The LORD of hosts, he is the King of glory! – Psalm 24:1-10
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The psalm addresses the Israelites and to glorify the only true king who has delivered them and granted them victory in battles. They acknowledge the source and the creator of all things who wants all of his people to be pure for him and to hate evil, just as he does. The word hosts is a translation of the Hebrew word sabaoth, meaning “armies”—a reference to the angelic armies of heaven. Thus, another way of saying “LORD of hosts” is “God of the armies of heaven.” This is the only psalm declaring God as king of glory. The Hebrew word for glory (kavod) is sometimes used figuratively to mean “heavy” or “dense.” When we speak of a “weighty” person, someone who is honorable and worthy.
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ADORATION: We praise you, the Lord of Hosts, the King of glory. We lift up our heads to give you praise and honor.
CONFESSION: Forgive me each time I fail to hate evil and compromise my purity.
THANKSGIVING: Thank you for all creation and all your provision to fill my needs.
SUPPLICATION: May all men bring you the glory that is only Yours alone. May all peoples come to their knees and bow down only to the King of Glory.
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REFLECTION
• Why is the stance of looking up to the Lord in praise essential for all Christians?
O LORD DELIVER MY LIFE Poem Devotional
February 16________________________________________
O LORD DELIVER MY LIFE
O LORD, rebuke me not in your anger, nor discipline me in your wrath.
2 Be gracious to me, O LORD, for I am languishing; heal me, O LORD,
For my bones are troubled. 3 My soul also is greatly troubled.
But you, O LORD—how long? 4 Turn, O LORD, deliver my life;
Save me for the sake of your steadfast love.
5 For in death there is no remembrance of you;
In Sheol who will give you praise? 6 I am weary with my moaning;
Every night I flood my bed with tears; I drench my couch with my weeping.
7 My eye wastes away because of grief; it grows weak because of all my foes.
8 Depart from me, all you workers of evil,
For the LORD has heard the sound of my weeping. 9 The LORD has heard my plea;
The LORD accepts my prayer.10 All my enemies shall be ashamed and greatly troubled;
They shall turn back and be put to shame in a moment. -Psalm 6:1-10
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We hear King David’s penitent heart in this psalm. He pleads the Lord to correct him but not in anger. He asks for God’s grace to heal him as he acknowledges his sins and past mistakes. We hear the dependence of David to God in the midst of great trouble and physical ailments. What is amazing with this psalm is his humility to admit how weary and tired he was. It illustrates a picture of a king who bows down to a greater eternal King. We see in this psalm how David is intimate with the Lord and isn’t afraid to admit his need for God’s deliverance for him. He is full of hope that the Lord will deliver him. What a heart that really seeks God’s heart!
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ADORATION: Praise to you Lord, full of grace and mercy. You are my deliverer and Savior.
CONFESSION: Forgive me each time I fail to repent and confess my sins.
THANKSGIVING: Thank you for never being stingy to reveal yourself to me.
SUPPLICATION: May all believers have a heart like David, who is humble, repentant and pursues God’s heart.
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REFLECTION
• How do you relate with David’s circumstance in this psalm?
• How can he be depressed, tired, sick and yet hopeful at the same time?
SING TO THE LORD A NEW SONG Poem Devotional
February 15
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SING TO THE LORD A NEW SONG
Praise the LORD! Sing to the LORD a new song,
His praise in the assembly of the godly! 2 Let Israel be glad in his Maker;
Let the children of Zion rejoice in their King! 3 Let them praise his name with dancing,
Making melody to him with tambourine and lyre!
4 For the LORD takes pleasure in his people; he adorns the humble with salvation.
5 Let the godly exult in glory; let them sing for joy on their beds.
6 Let the high praises of God be in their throats and two-edged swords in their hands,
7 To execute vengeance on the nations and punishments on the peoples,
8 To bind their kings with chains and their nobles with fetters of iron,
9 To execute on them the judgment written!
This is honor for all his godly ones. Praise the LORD!- Psalm 149:1-9
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This is psalm inviting all the godly to rejoice, be glad and praise the Lord. It invites the children of Zion to rejoice in their king with dancing, making melody with tambourines and lyre. It is stressed in this psalm how the Lord is pleased when we sing to the Lord new songs. It is amazing how God has given us the gift of music so that he can be glorified. Sadly, in our world today, we use singing to glorify our own selves or sometimes the idols that we give more time for than the one who gave us all. Many Christians fail to sing to the Lord new songs because they are so busy with all worldly concerns and pleasing themselves.
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ADORATION: Sing a new song to the Holy, Eternal King Jesus. He is worthy! He is Mighty!
CONFESSION: Forgive me whenever I am not enthusiastically singing or rejoicing about your goodness, your omniscience and omnipotence.
THANKSGIVING: Thank you Lord that you gave us music to express our rejoicing for your glory.
SUPPLICATION: May all of God’s people exult him in songs of praises and hymns about his goodness and miracles.
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REFLECTION
• Why do you think God wants us to sing new songs to him? What should our songs be about?
HOW SHALL WE SING THE LORD’S SONG Poem Devotional,
February 14
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HOW SHALL WE SING THE LORD’S SONG?
By the waters of Babylon, there we sat down and wept,
When we remembered Zion. 2 On the willow there we hung up our lyres.
3 For there our captors required of us songs, and our tormentors, mirth,
Saying, “Sing us one of the songs of Zion!”
4 How shall we sing the LORD’s song in a foreign land?
5 If I forget you, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget its skill!
6 Let my tongue stick to the roof of my mouth,
If I do not remember you, if I do not set Jerusalem above my highest joy!
7 Remember, O LORD, against the Edomites the day of Jerusalem,
How they said, “Lay it bare, lay it bare, down to its foundations!”
8 O daughter of Babylon, doomed to be destroyed,
Blessed shall he be who repays you with what you have done to us!
9 Blessed shall he be who takes your little ones and dashes them against the rock!
– Psalm 137:1-9
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This community lament remembers the Babylonian captivity. The Israelites remember how they were asked to sing songs by their captors. It was difficult for them to do so as they would rather do so when they are in their own land. It is a prayer of plea to the Lord not to let them forget Jerusalem and to deliver them from the cruelty of the Edomites. This psalm requests the Lord to bring them justice and payment for the abuses and wickedness that the Babylonians did to them. Because they are sure that the Lord is a God of Justice, they look forward to that day that their enemies will be punished for their evil deeds to them.
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ADORATION: You are a just and fair God. Praise you for delivering us from evil.
CONFESSION: Forgive me when I fail to be intimate with you and rely on you.
THANKSGIVING: Thank you for delivering me from wickedness and injustice.
SUPPLICATION: May evil be defeated by righteousness and your unfailing love.
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REFLECTION
• How can the Israelites pray with such boldness and trust for justice to be done to them? What is required to have such boldness to pray to God?