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?
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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?
PSALM 85 THE LORD SPEAKS PEACE TO HIS PEOPLE
March 9
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PSALM 85 THE LORD SPEAKS PEACE TO HIS PEOPLE
8 Let me hear what God the LORD will speak,
for he will speak peace to his people, to his saints;
but let them not turn back to folly.
9 Surely his salvation is near to those who fear him,
that glory may dwell in our land.
10 Steadfast love and faithfulness meet;
righteousness and peace kiss each other.
11 Faithfulness springs up from the ground,
and righteousness looks down from the sky.
12 Yes, the LORD will give what is good,
and our land will yield its increase.
13 Righteousness will go before him
and make his footsteps a way. – Psalm 85:8-13
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FAITHFULNESS & STEADFAST LOVE MEET by ILMA
Lord, you constantly guide those whom you have chosen
What an honor to hear you speak peace to your people
May we continue to walk in your Spirit and stay holy
Your steadfast love and faithfulness guide us constantly
Peace and righteousness abound when we fear and revere you
Help us to respond to such love with much fervor and devotion.
When I love you with all my heart, soul and mind
I give a rendezvous for love and peace to meet
You promised to give what is good and provide
What a devoted and loving God you always are
May we turn our backs to sin and folly and repent
May you forgive us for our lack of fervor and complacency.
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REFLECTION
• How can we manifest our true devotion to our Lord who gave us all? What did verse
11 mean?
PSALM 85 RESTORE US AGAIN, O GOD OF OUR SALVATION
March 8
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PSALM 85 RESTORE US AGAIN, O GOD OF OUR SALVATION
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
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LITANY OF GOD’S FAVOR & PLEA FOR RESTORATION by ILMA
Lord, you have been so good to us; always faithful
You gave us back all that we have lost before
You always pardon us for all our sinfulness
You do not punish us as we are all deserving
My Lord, you removed your wrath on your people
Instead, you gave them chances and showed patience
Each time I mess up, you are there to catch me
Even though at times I fail to ask for forgiveness
No one else has dealt with me so patiently
Only You understand and do not condemn me.
I plead you my Lord and my God, to bring us restoration
We have been attacked and faced with much temptations
Manifest your steadfast love to us and forgive us our iniquities
We plead you to revive all that we have lost in this slavery.
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REFLECTION
• Why do you think the psalmist gave a litany of God’s favor in the past before he pleaded the Lord for restoration?
PSALM 84 THE LORD GOD IS A SUN AND SHIELD
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March 7
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PSALM 84 THE LORD GOD IS A SUN AND SHIELD
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 84:9-12
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NO GOOD THING IS WITHHELD FROM THE UPRIGHT by ILMA
Look at all your people, Lord, we have come to be with you
We want to praise you and dwell on your goodness and truth
There is nothing else in this world that will satisfy me
Only you are the source of all good things and all my needs.
I long to be in your presence and it is all I live for
You are my sun and shield, ensuring light and protection
I can’t wait to be in your sanctuary and be in your arms
I am grateful that you have granted me favor and grace.
There are no good things that you withhold from the upright
I am so honored that you have chosen me to be shining your light
O my Lord, you give blessings to all who trust in your mighty name
I am thrilled that you, the Lord of Hosts, the Almighty, always cares.
You are faithful and just to forgive us from all our transgressions
Your promises are all that I hope for, all that shields me from temptations
I am humbled by your steadfast love and reminded how faithful you are
Help me to continue to press on forward to come closer to your special place.
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REFLECTION
• What does the psalmist mean when he said The Lord God is our sun and shield?
PSALM 84 HOW LOVELY IS YOUR DWELLING PLACE, O LORD
March 6
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PSALM 84 HOW LOVELY IS YOUR DWELLING PLACE, O 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.8 O LORD God of hosts, hear my prayer.
– Psalm 84:1-8
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MY SOUL LONGS FOR GOD’S DWELLING PLACE by ILMA
O Lord, my King and my God, I long to be in your holy house
Your sanctuary is a reflection of your faithful love for us
I cannot stop being amazed at how lovely, secure and safe it is
Even the birds want to park their nests at your dwelling place.
Each day that passes by, I cannot wait to see your face
This abode you have given us has been my only solace
It is the source of my strength as the world presses on me
Without your refuge, I will not be able to resist the enemy.
Bless all those who take shelter in your holy place
It is such an honor and privilege to be in your holy presence
My soul only longs to be with you my Lord and my Master
How long will I come before you and be with your forever?
As I go through valleys and deserts in my life, I look up to you
Your steadfast love and mercy sustain me suffer and go through
Keep me focused only on you my King and my God
I will only be able to press on if you keep me strong.
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REFLECTION
• In the Old Testament, we hear how the Temple is so beautifully constructed as per God’s instructions. It is a place where God meets his people. In the New Testament, the church is where we meet with Him. What should be our stance and posture when we come to God’s dwelling place according to this psalm?
PSALM 79 HOW LONG O LORD WILL YOU BE ANGRY?
March 4
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PSALM 79 HOW LONG O LORD WILL YOU BE ANGRY?
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 servant 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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HOW LONG WILL WE WAIT FOR YOUR RESCUE? By ILMA
O Lord, your people have been invaded by many attackers
They have enslaved your people and have dishonored your temple
These evil conquerors have treated your faithful servants like dirt
They have fed their bodies to the birds and beasts of the earth
Many lives have been taken and blood streams from their death
No one even gave them a decent burial, but made to rot instead
Your people have become a taunting matter to other nations
Mockery and ridicule abound in the midst of all these adversities.
O Lord, we look forward to your deliverance and justice
How long Lord will you bring us justice and put an end to this?
How long, O Lord, will your anger continue to burn like fire?
When will you save us from their obsession to terminate us?
You promised deliverance and justice to your people
O Lord, please come to our rescue and end these evil
Why don’t you revert your anger to these unbelievers?
Lord, we plead you to grant us mercy and to be delivered.
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REFLECTION
• Why do you think Asaph’s question was more on “How long will your anger last?” instead of “Why is this happening to us?” What is the big difference with the how long and the why questions?
• When was the last time you pleaded God to deliver you from some situations or someone who was oppressing you and what was the result of such prayer?
PSALM 116 CALL ON THE LORD AS LONG AS YOU LIVE
March 2
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PSALM 116 CALL ON THE LORD AS LONG AS YOU LIVE
I love the LORD, because he has heard my voice and my pleas for mercy.2 Because he
inclined his ear to me, therefore I will call on him as long as I live.3 The snares of death encompassed me; the pangs of Sheol laid hold on me; I suffered distress and anguish.
4 Then I called on the name of the LORD: “O LORD, I pray, deliver my soul!” 5 Gracious is the LORD, and righteous; our God is merciful. 6 The LORD preserves the simple; when I was brought low, he saved me. 7 Return, O my soul, to your rest; for the LORD has dealt bountifully with you.8 For you have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears,
my feet from stumbling; 9 I will walk before the LORD in the land of the living.
– Psalm 116:1-9
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I CRY OUT TO GOD AND HE HEARD ME by ILMA
My Lord, you are my all, the reason why I live
I cry out to you and you answered me without fail
When I am surrounded with people who judge me
You protect me and guard my heart from offenses
During this time of much illnesses and pandemic
You made sure I was shielded from its effects
I cry out to you to help me fulfill my calling
Though many forces attack, I continue to persist
You have preserved the simple and favor the humble
Thank you for blessing the weak, vulnerable and the lowly.
My Lord, you are gracious, righteous and merciful
You haven’t denied me pardon when I am weak and sinful
Each time I confess, you easily forgive my transgressions
You have freed me from many lies and all kinds deceptions
Lord, I love you so much, you are the source of life
I cry out to you to reveal yourself to all the blind
Strengthen me Lord as I shine the light you gave me
Do not let me give up when things seem overwhelming
I will walk with you my Lord amidst this corrupt world
I will lean on your grace and meditate constantly on your word.
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REFLECTION
• Why is it important for all believers to cry out to God?
PSALM 103 THE STEADFAST LOVE OF GOD TO THOSE WHO FEAR HIM
March 1
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PSALM 103 THE STEADFAST LOVE OF GOD TO THOSE WHO FEAR HIM
13 As a father shows compassion to his children, so the LORD shows compassion to those who fear him.14 For he knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust.15 As for man, his days are like grass; he flourishes like a flower of the field; 16 for the wind passes over it, and it is gone, and its place knows it no more.17 But the steadfast love of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him, and his righteousness to children’s
children,18 to those who keep his covenant and remember to do his commandments.19 The LORD has established his throne in the heavens, and his kingdom rules over all. 20 Bless the LORD, O you his angels, you mighty ones who do his word,
obeying the voice of his word! 21 Bless the LORD, all his hosts, his ministers, who do his will! 22 Bless the LORD, all his works, in all places of his dominion. Bless the LORD, O my soul!
– Psalm 103:13-22
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BLESS THE LORD FOR HIS COMPASSION by ILMA
Like a father would show compassion to his children
God shows empathy and love to those who fear him
He knows us inside and out; he made our entire being
Be assured of his steadfast love that is everlasting
Man’s life is like a mist, it’s here now and gone next moment
But God’s steadfast love and mercy, that’s what we can count on
He blesses all those who love him and all their descendants
He promises all of his children’s children, the same inheritance.
Praise the Lord, all you angels and all those who love his word
Those obedient ones, hosts and ministers, and all who combat this world
Praise and bless the Lord for he has showered you with love and compassion
Worship only the one true God all you believers, show that you have passion
Offer your mind, body, soul and spirit to the One who gave us all
It’s the only way you can defeat the works of Satan that causes you to fall
Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and your entire mind
Wear God’s armor and your new nature to avoid sin and being blind.
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REFLECTION
• Why do you think David only reproved those who are angels, mighty ones who do his word, hosts, ministers and all who does his will to bless the Lord, why not anyone?