December 7
________________________________________
PSALM 85 REVIVE US AGAIN O LORD!
LORD, you were favorable to your land;
you restored the fortunes of Jacob.
2 You forgave the iniquity of your people;
you covered all their sin. Selah
3 You withdrew all your wrath;
you turned from your hot anger.
4 Restore us again, O God of our salvation,
and put away your indignation toward us!
5 Will you be angry with us forever?
Will you prolong your anger to all generations?
6 Will you not revive us again,
that your people may rejoice in you?
7 Show us your steadfast love, O LORD,
and grant us your salvation. – Psalm 85:1-7
________________________________________
A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
My Lord, forgive us for all our sinfulness
We are all so weak to resist wickedness
We transgress again and again, but you show us mercy
We deserve the worst punishment and yet you don’t give it.
Not only did you vindicate us, you even paid for our debts
You gave us your Son, Jesus so that we can be free
We praise you for your steadfast love and compassion
Grant us the courage to be faithful, and love you with passion.
Revive us again when we are broken, lost and rejected
Help us to view suffering as a share in Christ’s crucifixion
Keep us growing as we are refined by trials and pain
Let us focus on the path that leads to your kingdom in heaven.
________________________________________
REFLECTION
• What happens to us Christians when we don’t pray for restoration?
• How can suffering and trial make us grow spiritually?
Tag Archives: Christian blog
PSALM 84 THE LORD BESTOWS FAVOR AND HONOR TO HIS PEOPLE
December 6
________________________________________
PSALM 84 THE LORD BESTOWS FAVOR AND HONOR TO HIS PEOPLE
8 O LORD God of hosts, hear my prayer; give ear, O God of Jacob! Selah
9 Behold our shield, O God; look on the face of your anointed!
10 For a day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere.
I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God
than dwell in the tents of wickedness.
11 For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor.
No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly.
12 O LORD of hosts, blessed is the one who trusts in you! – Psalm 84:8-12
________________________________________
A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
Is there something today that you received that you see as a blessing?
All good things are given from God to those who faithfully believe Him
Always keep your eyes on God’s mercy, grace and goodness
He bestows favor and honor to those who are righteous
The Lord God is faithful, he expects the same loyalty from us
Do not rely your own strength but in him alone, shall you put your trust.
Do not be afraid when you are being persecuted or rejected
Remember that Christ was also wronged and dejected
Focus on him alone when you are in pain and suffering
He will be your shield from the corruption of the world system
He is your counselor and helper; run to his throne alone
God is compassionate and generous to all the faithful.
Be thankful for every little or big thing that the Lord gives
Count them all and acknowledge him for his blessings
Each gift is to be used for God’s own glory
Be warned about using it for your own purpose
All honor and favor he gives you must reflect his goodness
Worship and thank him daily for every gift and blessing.
________________________________________
REFLECTION
• How can we be more aware of God’s goodness on a regular basis according to this psalm? How does gratitude changes attitude?
PSALM 84 BLESSED ARE THOSE WHOSE STRENGTH IS IN THE LORD
Quote
December 5
________________________________________
PSALM 84 BLESSED ARE THOSE WHOSE STRENGTH IS IN THE LORD
How lovely is your dwelling place, O LORD of hosts!
2 My soul longs, yes, faints for the courts of the LORD;
my heart and flesh sing for joy to the living God.
3 Even the sparrow finds a home,
and the swallow a nest for herself,
where she may lay her young, at your altars,
O LORD of hosts, my King and my God.
4 Blessed are those who dwell in your house, ever singing your praise! Selah
5 Blessed are those whose strength is in you, in whose heart are the highways to Zion. 6 As they go through the Valley of Baca
they make it a place of springs; the early rain also covers it with pools.
7 They go from strength to strength; each one appears before God in Zion.
– Psalm 84:1-7
________________________________________
A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
My entire being longs to be with you O Lord
Give me grace to be strong to overcome this world
O Lord of hosts, bless me to continue to praise only you
There are so many distractions in my life that hinders what is true.
Let me never rely on my own strength or understanding
Instead, give me remembrance of the Holy Spirit’s teachings
Remind me that your Son, Jesus was sacrificed to cleanse me of sin
Let it be engraved in my heart to be courageous to endure suffering.
Each time I get tempted to be self-reliant, prod me to sense your presence
Every occasion to think I am right, humble me so I can be reminded
Give me humility to find strength in you when I am weak and weary
Let me not fear struggles and suffering so I can grow spiritually.
________________________________________
REFLECTION
• Why is it very vital for Christians not to be independent and proud people according to this psalm?
• Do you think self-reliance and independence is against God’s laws? Why or why not?
PSALM 83 THAT THEY MAY KNOW YOU
December 4
________________________________________
PSALM 83 THAT THEY MAY KNOW YOU
9 Do to them as you did to Midian, as to Sisera and Jabin at the river Kishon,
10 who were destroyed at En-dor, who became dung for the ground.
11 Make their nobles like Oreb and Zeeb, all their princes like Zebah and Zalmunna,
12 who said, “Let us take possession for ourselves of the pastures of God.”
13 O my God, make them like whirling dust, like chaff before the wind.
14 As fire consumes the forest, as the flame sets the mountains ablaze,
15 so may you pursue them with your tempest and terrify them with your hurricane!
16 Fill their faces with shame, that they may seek your name, O LORD.
17 Let them be put to shame and dismayed forever; let them perish in disgrace,
18 that they may know that you alone, whose name is the LORD,
are the Most High over all the earth.– Psalm 83:9-18
________________________________________
A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
O Lord, pay attention to the deeds of the wicked towards your people
You see and know all things; let them stop from doing more damage
They boast about things that they don’t really grasp or know
They think highly of themselves and give others a blow.
It is unthinkable how they make others suffer when they take control
Will you expose all their plans to manipulate so others can bow to their idols?
O Lord, how long will you let these chaos and conflict continue?
I plead you to rebuke them that they may know who is the most powerful.
Cover all those who take shelter in you from their evil ways and wickedness
Keep your people from their tactics and guide them towards godliness
Put them in their places so that they may know who you really are
Bless your faithful ones so that they may continually worship and praise you.
________________________________________
REFLECTION
• Asaph’s psalm speaks of the unthinkable things that God’s people suffer from the enemies. What are the promises of God that Asaph asks God to fulfill in this community lament?
• Should we also pray like Asaph when we are overwhelmed by the enemy’s tactics?
PSALM 83 DO NOT BE SILENT LORD
December 3
________________________________________
PSALM 83 DO NOT BE SILENT LORD
O God, do not keep silence; do not hold your peace or be still, O God!
2 For behold, your enemies make an uproar;
those who hate you have raised their heads.
3 They lay crafty plans against your people;
they consult together against your treasured ones.
4 They say, “Come, let us wipe them out as a nation;
let the name of Israel be remembered no more!”
5 For they conspire with one accord; against you they make a covenant—
6 the tents of Edom and the Ishmaelites, Moab and the Hagrites,
7 Gebal and Ammon and Amalek, Philistia with the inhabitants of Tyre;
8 Asshur also has joined them; they are the strong arm of the children of Lot. Selah
–Psalm 83:1-8
________________________________________
A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
O Lord, I come to you with trembling and fear
Do not be silent as the enemies conspire with one accord
They are determined to wipe out those whom you love
Hear my plea O God of my salvation, come to our rescue!
Do you not see how they have enslaved your people?
How long before you avenge us from their cruelty?
It is wearisome to watch the violence all around us
Will you continue to be quiet as they devour your people?
Those who hate you are all contriving to bring us down
Will you allow them to oppress and keep us in bondage?
Give us strength to endure all the persecution and suffering
O Lord, make haste to come to our aid and bring us deliverance.
________________________________________
REFLECTION
• Why is it a good practice to plead the Lord when we are being pressed down with attacks from the enemy?
• How do you make sense of much suffering experienced by those who are persecuted for their faith? Is God silent when they are killed?
PSALM 82 WARNING TO JUDGES & RULERS
December 2
________________________________________
PSALM 82 WARNING TO JUDGES & RULERS
God has taken his place in the divine council;
in the midst of the gods he holds judgment:
2 “How long will you judge unjustly and show partiality to the wicked? Selah
3 Give justice to the weak and the fatherless;
maintain the right of the afflicted and the destitute.
4 Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.”
5 They have neither knowledge nor understanding,
they walk about in darkness; all the foundations of the earth are shaken.
6 I said, “You are gods, sons of the Most High, all of you;
7 nevertheless, like men you shall die, and fall like any prince.”
8 Arise, O God, judge the earth; for you shall inherit all the nations! – Psalm 82:1-8
________________________________________
A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
Let all those who have authority to exercise justice heed to God
For they are all accountable to the Most High, king of all
When they discriminate the fatherless and those who are destitute
They will be judged according to their prejudices and partiality
The Lord puts them in their positions to judge fairly
They have to protect especially the weak and the needy.
Be warned all you who are in positions of authority
Exercise your power to raise the level of equality
Rule and lead with God’s decree always in your mind
For the Lord holds you accountable; exercise wisdom
See that you don’t forget the fatherless and the weak
Remember in the end you will be judged by the Lord Most High.
________________________________________
REFLECTION
• Who was the psalmist referring to in verse 1 when he said in the midst of gods he holds judgment?
• Why are Christians called to pray for rulers and all those in authority in 1 Timothy 2:1-2?
• Do you think Christians should be involved in politics? Why or why not?
PSALM 81 IF YOU DON’T LISTEN TO GOD’S VOICE
December 1
________________________________________
PSALM 81 IF YOU DON’T LISTEN TO GOD’S VOICE
11 “But my people did not listen to my voice;
Israel would not submit to me.
12 So I gave them over to their stubborn hearts,
to follow their own counsels.
13 Oh, that my people would listen to me,
that Israel would walk in my ways!
14 I would soon subdue their enemies
and turn my hand against their foes.
15 Those who hate the LORD would cringe toward him,
and their fate would last forever.
16 But he would feed you with the finest of the wheat,
and with honey from the rock I would satisfy you.” – Psalm 81:11-16
________________________________________
A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
If you don’t listen to God’s voice
You will always remain a fool
Those who defy the Lord will fail
They will be left alone without help.
God leaves the wicked in their own stubbornness
They will be unable to walk in the path of righteousness
If you continue to disobey and don’t listen to God’s voice
You will be on your way to disaster and not be blessed.
Those who are lawless will be lost and confused
The Lord will not tolerate the deeds of fools
But if you listen to his voice and follow his will
He will bless you and make you overcome sin.
If you continue to turn your back to God
You will find yourself being corrupted by the world
The wrath of God will fall on all who disobey him
They will not have any part of his kingdom.
________________________________________
REFLECTION
• What causes a person to not listen to God’s voice?
PSALM 81 SING ALOUD TO GOD WITH JOY
November 30
________________________________________
PSALM 81 SING ALOUD TO GOD WITH JOY
Sing aloud to God our strength; shout for joy to the God of Jacob!
2 Raise a song; sound the tambourine, the sweet lyre with the harp.
3 Blow the trumpet at the new moon, at the full moon, on our feast day.
4 For it is a statute for Israel, a rule of the God of Jacob.
5 He made it a decree in Joseph when he went out over the land of Egypt.
I hear a language I had not known: 6 “I relieved your shoulder of the burden;
your hands were freed from the basket. 7 In distress you called, and I delivered you;
I answered you in the secret place of thunder;
I tested you at the waters of Meribah. Selah
8 Hear, O my people, while I admonish you! O Israel, if you would but listen to me!
9 There shall be no strange god among you; you shall not bow down to a foreign god.
10 I am the LORD your God, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt.
Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it. – Psalm 81:1-10
________________________________________
A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
All you people of God, sing out loud to him and rejoice
Raise a song, clap your hands, sound the trumpet to praise him
The Lord God had faithfully redeemed you out of your distress
He answered your prayers when you are desperate for help.
When you call on him for relief, he was there for you
He provides for all your needs and is always gracious
He wants you to worship only him and no other gods
But you rebelled and made other idols.
As a covenant people, you are to bow down to the Lord
Why have you turned your back on him and follow the world?
The Lord God who made heaven and earth rebukes the lawless
His wrath will be unleashed to all those who are rebels.
________________________________________
REFLECTION
• In verse 4, it says that God commands his people to rejoice and sing aloud to him, do we always do this as our hearts worship him?
• Can a Christian worship God when he is depressed? Why or why not?
PSALM 80 LET YOUR FACE SHINE ON US THROUGH YOUR SON!
November 29
________________________________________
PSALM 80 LET YOUR FACE SHINE ON US THROUGH YOUR SON!
15 The stock that your right hand planted,
and for the son whom you made strong for yourself.
16 They have burned it with fire; they have cut it down;
may they perish at the rebuke of your face!
17 But let your hand be on the man of your right hand,
the son of man whom you have made strong for yourself!
18 Then we shall not turn back from you;
give us life, and we will call upon your name!
19 Restore us, O LORD God of hosts!
Let your face shine, that we may be saved! – Psalm 80:15-19
________________________________________
A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
O Lord, have mercy on us, your people
We ask for forgiveness for being unfaithful
Let our weaknesses be turned to faith
May your glory be manifest and make us brave.
Be gracious to us O Lord and make your face shine on the righteous
Through your Son, we are redeemed from our sinfulness
Restore us from the consequences of our transgressions
Make us have a glimpse of your presence through your Son, Jesus.
We are overwhelmed by our enemy’s wickedness and oppression
Help us to remember your promise for freedom from discrimination
Have mercy on your people as they go through trials and difficulties
Grant us a heart that seeks you and give us ears to hear and eyes to see.
In your presence, we can triumph over our tendencies to be selfish
Make us prioritize you in all that we do so we can praise and give you glory
Bless our journey in this very corrupt and cruel world
Give us a love for the truth and courage to live by your word.
________________________________________
REFLECTION
• Why was the psalmist Asaph asking God for restoration in this psalm?
PSALM 80 PRAYER FOR RESTORATION FOR GOD’S VINE
November 28
________________________________________
PSALM 80 PRAYER FOR RESTORATION FOR GOD’S VINE
8 You brought a vine out of Egypt;
you drove out the nations and planted it.
9 You cleared the ground for it;
it took deep root and filled the land.
10 The mountains were covered with its shade,
the mighty cedars with its branches.
11 It sent out its branches to the sea
and its shoots to the River.
12 Why then have you broken down its walls,
so that all who pass along the way pluck its fruit?
13 The boar from the forest ravages it,
and all that move in the field feed on it.
14 Turn again, O God of hosts!
Look down from heaven, and see;
have regard for this vine, – Psalm 80:8-14
________________________________________
A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
O Lord, have regard for your vine again as you did in the past
You delivered them from slavery from those foes
You have protected them before, why have you now left them exposed?
They are being preyed on by many different nations who don’t know you.
Lift up your light and have mercy on your covenant people
You promised your steadfast love on all those who are faithful
Forgive all those who have transgressed who belong to your vine
Remember how you cared for them in the past? Renew them now.
You established your vine and settled them in your promised land
Be with those who love you and revere your holy name
Keep them strong and be gracious and merciful to them
Give them anointing and blessing so they can give you constant praise.
________________________________________
REFLECTION
• Why do you think the psalmist use the vine as a symbol for God’s people?