February 6
________________________________________
PSALM 125 TRUST IN THE LORD AND BE IMMOVABLE
Those who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion,
which cannot be moved, but abides forever.
2 As the mountains surround Jerusalem,
so the LORD surrounds his people,
from this time forth and forevermore.
3 For the scepter of wickedness shall not rest
on the land allotted to the righteous,
lest the righteous stretch out
their hands to do wrong.
4 Do good, O LORD, to those who are good,
and to those who are upright in their hearts!
5 But those who turn aside to their crooked ways
the LORD will lead away with evildoers!
Peace be upon Israel! Psalm 125:1-5
________________________________________
THE SECRET TO PEACE AND STABILITY by ILMA
When someone gives his total trust in the Lord
They are like Mount Zion which can never be moved
Just like Jerusalem is surrounded by mountains
God’s people are constantly watched and protected.
The Lord never allows wickedness to overcome the righteous
For they will receive the fulfillment of all his promises
They only need to constantly abide in him and they are assured
He gives deliverance and salvation to those who are pure.
If you find yourself turning away from righteousness
You will lose your strength and be bent on wickedness
You will begin to waver and become unstable
Peace will leave your heart and you will love evil.
________________________________________
REFLECTION
• How can a believer lose his strength and peace?
• Why is trust essential in any form of relationship, especially in our relationship with our Lord and Savior?
Tag Archives: Christian devotional
PSALM 39 LET ME KNOW HOW FLEETING I AM
February 5
________________________________________
PSALM 39 LET ME KNOW HOW FLEETING I AM
I said, “I will guard my ways, that I may not sin with my tongue; I will guard my mouth with a muzzle, so long as the wicked are in my presence.” 2 I was mute and silent; I held my peace to no avail, and my distress grew worse.3 My heart became hot within me. As I mused, the fire burned; then I spoke with my tongue: 4 “O LORD, make me know my end and what is the measure of my days; let me know how fleeting I am! 5 Behold, you have made my days a few handbreadths, and my lifetime is as nothing before you. Surely all mankind stands as a mere breath! Selah 6 Surely a man goes about as a shadow! Surely for nothing they are in turmoil; man heaps up wealth and does not know who will gather.
– Psalm 39:1-6
________________________________________
PRAYER FOR WISDOM AND PRUDENCE by ILMA
In order for me not to sin with my tongue, I will stop from speaking
Especially in the presence of those who are unbelieving
I didn’t utter a word but deep inside I was apprehensive
I wasn’t used to being quiet and it made me impulsive.
As I spoke, it trapped me to transgress and sin again
O Lord, help me to guard each word that I say
I don’t want to speak anything that isn’t true
Give me grace to use words carefully and choose.
Show me how short my life is so I don’t waste any time
Let me not be concerned with things that are not eternal
You have given each person a fleeting and a short life
Let me not focus on worldly things that are all trivial.
Give me an understanding as to what is everlasting
Guide me to never take for granted all that you gave me
Let me use it for praising you and giving you glory
Protect me from my nature that is selfish and foolish.
________________________________________
REFLECTION
• Why did David want to be silent in front of those who are wicked?
• Why should we be very careful with what we say especially with those who do not know the Lord?
• Why does David want the Lord to measure his days?
PSALM 142 ATTEND TO MY CRY
February 4
________________________________________
PSALM 142 ATTEND TO MY CRY
With my voice I cry out to the LORD; with my voice I plead for mercy to the LORD.2 I pour out my complaint before him; I tell my trouble before him.3 When my spirit faints within me, you know my way! In the path where I walk they have hidden a trap for me. 4 Look to the right and see: there is none who takes notice of me; no refuge remains to me; no one cares for my soul. 5 I cry to you, O LORD; I say, “You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living.” 6 Attend to my cry, for I am brought very low! Deliver me from my persecutors, for they are too strong for me! 7 Bring me out of prison, that I may give thanks to your name! The righteous will surround me, for you will deal bountifully with me. – Psalm 142:1-7
________________________________________
IN MY WEAKNESS I CRY OUT TO THE LORD by ILMA
Lord, I will not be silent when I am faced with weaknesses
Grant me protection and deliverance for my feebleness
No one has come to my aide; all have become traitors
Lord, you are the only one who knows that I am truly faithful.
When I am faced with circumstances that are bleak
I know that you are there especially when I am weak
Please hear me, you know my limits and what I can handle
I take shelter in your arms, give me strength in this battle.
The enemies have placed traps to hurt me
I am exhausted with all their ploys and tactics
Take pity on your servant for no one cares for my soul
You are Almighty and the One who can defeat my foes.
I plead you Lord, to take my case seriously
Without you, I cannot have any victory
Help me because my strength is already dwindling
My God, deal with your beloved servant bountifully.
________________________________________
REFLECTION
• Why is it essential to cry out to God especially when we are depleted of strength and have become discouraged and tired?
• Why did David bring his complaints to God instead of keeping it to himself? What does that tell us about his relationship with God?
PSALM 98 SING TO THE LORD A NEW SONG!
February 2
________________________________________
PSALM 98 SING TO THE LORD A NEW SONG!
Oh, sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done marvelous things! His right hand and his holy arm have worked salvation for him.2 The LORD has made known his salvation; he has
revealed his righteousness in the sight of the nations.3 He has remembered his steadfast love and faithfulness to the house of Israel. All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.4 Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and sing praises! 5 Sing praises to the LORD with the lyre, with the lyre and the sound of melody! 6 With trumpets and the sound of the horn make a joyful noise before the King, the LORD!7 Let the sea roar, and all that fills it; the world and those who dwell in it! 8 Let the rivers clap their hands; let the hills sing for joy together 9 before the LORD, for he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world with righteousness, and the peoples with equity. – Psalm 98:1-9
________________________________________
SHOUT OUT LOUD YOUR PRAISE TO THE LORD by ILMA
Come let us sing to our Lord who have worked his salvation on us
Let your heart ooze with much thanksgiving for his steadfast love
He has chosen you to be his own and given you an image like him
The Lord gave you his own righteousness; be joyful to proclaim it.
Shout out loud with melody, using your voice, lyre and trumpets
Let all the gifts he gave you bring Him praise, honor and glory
Clap with a heart that longs to give him exultation and adoration
Let that jubilation be heard by the whole earth and all the nations.
Let the rivers clap, the hills sing and every part of nature glorify their Maker
For the LORD is full of righteousness and faithful to rescue and deliver
He will judge humanity with uprightness and the peoples with justice
The Lord will bring his mercy and love to all those who seek Him.
Occupy your life with worship, singing to Him who gave you all
Do not go against his commands so you will not sin and fall
Put off all your old self so you can fully give Him all the glory
Be joyful to thank Him; He has provided for you generously.
________________________________________
REFLECTION
• Why is it essential for all Christians to sing a new song to the Lord and worship him with such jubilation as this royal psalm declares?
PSALM 8 GOD SHARES HIS GLORY WITH MAN
February 1
________________________________________
PSALM 8 GOD SHARES HIS GLORY WITH MAN
O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens. 2 Out of the mouth of babies and infants, you have established
strength because of your foes, to still the enemy and the avenger.3 When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place,
4 what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him?
5 Yet you have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor.6 You have given him dominion over the works of your hands; you have put all things under his feet,7 all sheep and oxen, and also the beasts of the field, 8 the birds of the heavens, and the fish of the sea, whatever passes along the paths of the seas.9 O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! – Psalm 8:1-9
________________________________________
The psalm opens with worshipping God’s majestic name. The all caps “LORD” is God’s covenant name and the “Lord” refers to the position of God to his people, which means Master. In short, David is declaring that His God is his Master. In verse 2, David shows how God uses young and pure innocent children to silence the enemy. In Matthew 21:16, Jesus received the praise from the children in his triumphal entry and quoted this this same verse to his accusers.
In verses 3-4, David speaks of his amazement on how God (the creator of the entire universe) brings honor to man and shares to him His own glory. In verse 5, he continues to mention how God made man just a little lower than his heavenly being and in verse 6, gave man authority over all things on earth. Spurgeon comments “A little lower in nature, since they are immortal, and but a little, because time is short; and when that is over, saints are no longer lower than the angels.” Boice also comments on this verse as “God’s glory is above the heavens; yet He put this same glory and honor on man as a crown. “This is an effective way of identifying man with God and of saying that he has been made in God’s image, reflecting God’s glory in a way other parts of the creation do not.”
What an amazing God we serve, who made us all in his image, so we could fit perfectly into His plan. What an honor that he gave humans an opportunity to share his glory by making us like Him and lifting us from all his other creation.
________________________________________
REFLECTION
• How can you make yourself worthy of God honoring man and sharing his glory?
PSALM 110 IN ANTICIPATION OF THE MESSIAH’S COMING
January 30
________________________________________
PSALM 110 IN ANTICIPATION OF THE MESSIAH’S COMING
The LORD says to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool.”
The LORD sends forth from Zion your mighty scepter. Rule in the midst of your enemies! 3 Your people will offer themselves freely on the day of your power, in holy garments; from the womb of the morning, the dew of your youth will be yours. 4 The LORD has sworn and will not change his mind, “You are a priest forever after the
order of Melchizedek.” 5 The Lord is at your right hand; he will shatter kings on the day of his wrath. 6 He will execute judgment among the nations, filling them with corpses;
he will shatter chiefs over the wide earth 7 He will drink from the brook by the way;
therefore he will lift up his head. – Psalm 110:1-7
________________________________________
According to ESV study notes, this psalm anticipates the coming of the Messiah. The Israelites sang this song to celebrate God’s promises to David, to yearn for the day when the Gentiles receive the light through the Messiah and to pledge to be faithful to their calling until that great day.
The opening of this psalm is an oracle from the LORD to the Davidic king. “Sit at my right hand” means it is a position of honor. “Rule in the midst of your enemies” is a promise of protection for the king to remember that God is with him as he rules his people. In verse 3, it shows the loyalty of the people of God to the anointed king and that he has no need to fear. “From the womb of the morning, the dew of your youth will be yours”, I would like to quote Mclaren on this verse: “But the reference of the expression is to the army, not to its leader. ‘Youth’ here is a collective noun, equivalent to ‘young men.’ The host of his soldier-subjects is described as a band of young warriors, whom he leads, in their fresh strength and countless numbers and gleaming beauty like the dew of the morning.”
In verse 4, we hear the promise of God to David that he comes from the order of Melchizedek, a priest forever. In Genesis 14, Melchizedek was not merely a worshipper of the true God. He had the honored title priest of the Most High God. The greatness of God magnified the greatness of Melchizedek’s priesthood. Guzik comments on verse 6 as anticipating the slaughter at the Battle of Armageddon (Revelation 16:16, 19:11-21). Spurgeon comments on verse 7: “His own head shall be lifted high in victory, and his people, in him, shall be upraised also.”
________________________________________
REFLECTION
• How does this psalm give us a joyful anticipation of the second coming of the Lord? What do we need to picture in this covenant promise of God to his people?
PSALM 129- GOD’S UNFAILING PROTECTION TO HIS PEOPLE
January 29
________________________________________
PSALM 129- GOD’S UNFAILING PROTECTION TO HIS PEOPLE
“Greatly have they afflicted me from my youth”— let Israel now say—2 “Greatly have they afflicted me from my youth yet they have not prevailed against me. 3 The plowers plowed upon my back; they made long their furrows.” 4 The LORD is righteous; he has cut the cords of the wicked.5 May all who hate Zion be put to shame and turned backward! 6 Let them be like the grass on the housetops, which withers before it grows up,7 with which the reaper does not fill his hand nor the binder of sheaves his arms,8 nor do those who pass by say, “The blessing of the LORD be upon you! We bless you in the name of the LORD!”– Psalm 129:1-8
________________________________________
This psalm is a song of ascents. It was recited by the pilgrims as they go up the hill of Jerusalem to worship the Lord. The psalmist declares how the enemies have brought so much suffering to them all those years, but they were never crushed. When we are chosen by God, he will never allow us to be defeated by the enemy. Boice comments on this psalm: “One might say that the chief accomplishment of the Jewish people has been survival. “The Jews are the longest-enduring distinct ethnic people on the planet. They have been slandered, hated, persecuted, expelled, pursued, and murdered throughout their long existence, but they have survived intact.”
In verse 3, the writer describes the cruelty of the enemy and how they made it impossible for the Israelites to have an easy life, but verse 4 says how the Lord cuts off the wickedness done to his people. Sometimes, we may not visibly see how God protects us, but this verse reminds us that he is our deliverer.
The next verse is a prayer for God’s protection. It may sound like a curse, but let us hear Spurgeon’s comment “This is a proper wish, and contains within it no trace of personal ill-will. We desire their welfare as men, their downfall as traitors. Let their conspiracies be confounded, their policies be turned back. How can we wish prosperity to those who would destroy that which is dearest to our hearts?” Wouldn’t one who loves righteousness pray anything to revert evil? When God’s people wish for evil not to happen to all believers, we are lining up with God’s will. He hates sin and evil, and so should we.
This psalm resonates my life. I have been marinated in abuse and neglect for as long as I can remember and yet I am still here, standing and declaring my Lord’s victory over all the enemy’s schemes. He is my shield and protection.
________________________________________
REFLECTION
• Why should we not forget that our survival is God’s protection and not our own?
PSALM 17 PRAYER FOR DELIVERANCE AND TO BECOME MORE LIKE GOD
January 28
________________________________________
PSALM 17 PRAYER FOR DELIVERANCE AND TO BECOME MORE LIKE GOD
Hear a just cause, O LORD; attend to my cry! Give ear to my prayer from lips free of deceit!
2 From your presence let my vindication come! Let your eyes behold the right! 3 You have tried my heart, you have visited me by night, you have tested me, and you will find nothing; I have purposed that my mouth will not transgress.4 With regard to the works of man, by the word of your lips I have avoided the ways of the violent.5 My steps have held fast to your paths; my feet have not slipped. 6 I call upon you, for you will answer me, O God; incline your ear to me; hear my words.7 Wondrously show your steadfast love, O Savior of those who seek refuge from their adversaries at your right hand. 8 Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings,9 from the wicked who do me violence, my deadly enemies who surround me. 10 They close their hearts to pity; with their mouths they speak arrogantly.11 They have now surrounded our steps; they set their eyes to cast us to the ground.12 He is like a lion eager to tear, as a young lion lurking in ambush.13 Arise, O LORD! Confront him, subdue him! Deliver my soul from the wicked by
your sword,14 from men by your hand, O LORD, from men of the world whose portion is in this life. You fill their womb with treasure; they are satisfied with children, and they leave their abundance to their infants.15 As for me, I shall behold your face in righteousness; when I awake, I shall be satisfied with your likeness. – Psalm 17:1-15
________________________________________
This psalm is an individual lament of David, much like Psalm 7. Both have the same theme in which a person considers himself unjustly accused of wrong. This is a prayer for vindication. It is a prayer of someone very confident of his standing with the Lord and an expose of David’s honest heart. The first line pronounces that David won’t come to the Lord, unless he was pure in his heart. He continues to enumerate how faithful he had been to his master. He had followed his path and have evaded any evil act.
Verses 6-8 shifts to declaring God’s promises and trait. He knew that his Lord will answer him because he had responded to God as He requires of him. He also mentions God’s steadfast love and reminds God of his claim on him, that he was the apple of His eyes. In verses 10-12, David tells the Lord how the enemy was accusing him and attacking like a lion would want to tear his prey. Then David closes in verses 13-15 by reminding God of his promise of deliverance to his people. He ends the psalm with a confident trust and hope that when he awakes, he will become more like his Lord.
________________________________________
REFLECTION
• Why do humans often forget to pray to become more and more like the Lord?
PSALM 147 GOD CARES FOR THE OUTCASTS AND BROKENHEARTED PEOPLE
January 27
________________________________________
PSALM 147 GOD CARES FOR THE OUTCASTS AND BROKENHEARTED PEOPLE
Praise the LORD! For it is good to sing praises to our God; for it is pleasant, and a song of praise is fitting.2 The LORD builds up Jerusalem; he gathers the outcasts of Israel. 3 He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.4 He determines the number of the stars; he gives to all of them their names.5 Great is our Lord, and abundant in power; his understanding is beyond measure.6 The LORD lifts up the humble; he casts the wicked to the ground.7 Sing to the LORD with thanksgiving; make melody to our God on the lyre! 8 He covers the heavens with clouds; he prepares rain for the earth; he makes grass grow on the hills.9 He gives to the beasts their food, and to the young ravens that cry.
10 His delight is not in the strength of the horse, nor his pleasure in the legs of a man,
11 but the LORD takes pleasure in those who fear him, in those who hope in his steadfast love. – Psalm 147:1-11
________________________________________
This psalm is an invitation for all of God’s people to worship God. It is only fitting since He has created and provided all things for us. He is the only one worthy and deserving of such adoration. In verse 2, the writer begins to enumerate the things that God has been doing for his people: he rebuilds Jerusalem and gathers the outcasts of Israel. In a sermon titled Good Cheer for Outcasts, Spurgeon considered the many kinds of outcasts that Jesus gathers and blesses today. They may be the very poorest and most despised among men; or those who have done wicked things, or those who judge themselves to be outcasts; they may be backsliders from the church; or those who have fallen into great depression of spirit. They may be those who suffer for righteousness’ sake. Whatever category an outcast may fall into, it is reassuring to know that God hasn’t forgotten them.
In verse 3, he also didn’t forget those who are broken-hearted. Psalm 34:18 repeats this verse because it says there that The Lord is near to them and those who are crushed in spirit. What a compassionate and loving God we serve! He heals them and binds up their wounds. This verse is especially heart-warming for me because I am one of these broken-hearted people. It is amazing that I do not have to fix myself to be deserving of God’s love. He loves me especially when I am broken. That’s why he sent His Son Jesus, to save people like me. There are no other gods who would take the outcasts and the broken people, but the one true God who made heaven and earth.
________________________________________
REFLECTION
• How does Satan twist God’s love through religion and works of the flesh?
PSALM 30- JOY COMES IN THE MORNING
January 26
________________________________________
PSALM 30- JOY COMES IN THE MORNING
I will extol you, O LORD, for you have drawn me up and have not let my foes rejoice over me. 2 O LORD my God, I cried to you for help, and you have healed me.3 O LORD, you have brought up my soul from Sheol; you restored me to life from among those who go down to the pit. 4 Sing praises to the LORD, O you his saints, and give thanks to his holy name.
5 For his anger is but for a moment, and his favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning. 6 As for me, I said in my prosperity, “I shall never be moved.”7 By your favor, O LORD, you made my mountain stand strong; you hid your face; I was dismayed. 8 To you, O LORD, I cry, and to the Lord I plead for mercy:
9 “What profit is there in my death, if I go down to the pit? Will the dust praise you? Will it tell of your faithfulness? 10 Hear, O LORD, and be merciful to me! O LORD, be my helper!” 11 You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; you have loosed my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness, 12 that my glory may sing your praise and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks to you forever! – Psalm 30:1-12
________________________________________
ESV study bible notes says that David composed this psalm for the temple’s dedication which took place after David died (1Kings 8:63). The psalm is based on David’s experience and the worshipers can liken their own experiences to his.
In the first three verses, David praises God for not letting his enemies gloat over him, for healing him and restoring him. In verse 4, he invites all saints to worship the Lord in songs and thanksgiving. In verse 5, he focuses on God’s trait: He doesn’t stay angry for long. David gives hope to God’s people in the words “Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes in the morning.” Isn’t this so true? No matter what we are going through, each new day brings hope because we serve a faithful God. The prophet Jeremiah resounds this same verse when he says in Lamentations 3:22-23 that God’s steadfast love and mercy never ceases. It is new every morning.
In verses 6-7, David praises the Lord by enumerating the things he was blessed with. It was only possible because it was God who gave him such favor and provisions. He continues to plead God to deliver them from the enemies. David strongly stands on God’s promises for deliverance. David ends this song with unending thanksgiving and praise.
________________________________________
REFLECTION
• Why is this psalm a good song to reflect on when we are discouraged and feeling hopeless? What is the antidote for such depressed feelings?