November 12
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PSALM 74 ARISE AND DEFEND YOUR CAUSE O GOD
18 Remember this, O LORD, how the enemy scoffs,
and a foolish people reviles your name.
19 Do not deliver the soul of your dove to the wild beasts;
do not forget the life of your poor forever.
20 Have regard for the covenant,
for the dark places of the land are full of the habitations of violence.
21 Let not the downtrodden turn back in shame;
let the poor and needy praise your name.
22 Arise, O God, defend your cause;
remember how the foolish scoff at you all the day!
23 Do not forget the clamor of your foes,
the uproar of those who rise against you, which goes up continually!
– Psalm 74:18-23
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A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
Do not be silent O Lord, we are surrounded by violence
The enemy continue to rise up against your people constantly
Remember your covenant with them and defend your cause
Do not forget the weak, the poor and the oppressed
You promised to free them and provide protection
We count on your deliverance and salvation.
Do not deliver your people to the wicked
Especially those who are vulnerable and defenseless
Arise and defend your cause O Lord, we can’t shield ourselves
We will be defeated if you do not come to our aide and be our fortress
Let us not lose hope when we become weak, but instead lean on you more
Equip us with strength and endurance to bear the suffering in this world.
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REFLECTION
• What was the psalmist lamenting over here and why does he ask God to arise and defend his cause?
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PSALM 74 THE BOUNDARIES GOD ESTABLISHED
November 11
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PSALM 74 THE BOUNDARIES GOD ESTABLISHED
10 How long, O God, is the foe to scoff?
Is the enemy to revile your name forever?
11 Why do you hold back your hand, your right hand?
Take it from the fold of your garment and destroy them!
12 Yet God my King is from of old, working salvation in the midst of the earth.
13 You divided the sea by your might;
you broke the heads of the sea monsters on the waters.
14 You crushed the heads of Leviathan;
you gave him as food for the creatures of the wilderness.
15 You split open springs and brooks; you dried up ever-flowing streams.
16 Yours is the day, yours also the night;
you have established the heavenly lights and the sun.
17 You have fixed all the boundaries of the earth;
you have made summer and winter. – Psalm 74:10-17
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A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
When God created the earth, he established boundaries
He made light and called it day; then he called it night for darkness
The Lord divided the water from the land and called them earth and seas
He made creatures from the waters and separate it from those in the land.
The Lord God created all things, he separated season from each other
He made them distinct from each other: fall, spring, winter and summer
God made every creature different from one another with distinct features
Each animal or plants and trees have their own exclusive structure.
The Lord God also created man and woman with differences in appearance
Each of them has their own different role, strength and weakness
God chose those all who belong to him and called them his children
He separated his own possession from those who serve the world and Satan.
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REFLECTION
• Why do you think God created almost all things with boundaries?
• What would happen if you don’t respect the boundaries that God established?
PSALM 74 GOD’S VIEW FROM ABOVE
November 10
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PSALM 74 GOD’S VIEW FROM ABOVE
O God, why do you cast us off forever?
Why does your anger smoke against the sheep of your pasture?
2 Remember your congregation, which you have purchased of old,
which you have redeemed to be the tribe of your heritage!
Remember Mount Zion, where you have dwelt.
3 Direct your steps to the perpetual ruins;
the enemy has destroyed everything in the sanctuary!
4 Your foes have roared in the midst of your meeting place;
they set up their own signs for signs.
5 They were like those who swing axes in a forest of trees.
6 And all its carved wood they broke down with hatchets and hammers.
7 Their eyes swell out through fatness; their hearts overflow with follies.
8 They scoff and speak with malice; loftily they threaten oppression.
9 They set their mouths against the heavens,
And their tongue struts through the earth. – Psalm 74:1-9
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A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
Why does God allow evil to happen?
Suffering is unavoidable and constantly around us
Why does the Lord let the enemy do wicked things?
Couldn’t he just stop them from all their schemes?
We can question continually what God allows
But we do not have his view from above
We only see a vignette of what is going on
While he sits up above and sees what is right and wrong.
Do not lose hope when you are surrounded by wickedness
God is in control and let’s us go through trials and adversities
He refines us so we can be strong and endure suffering
It is for his greater glory that he allows all these things.
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REFLECTION
• Why do you think God allows suffering to be experienced by his own people?
PSALM 73 THE FATE OF THE UNFAITHFUL
November 9
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PSALM 73 THE FATE OF THE UNFAITHFUL
23 Nevertheless, I am continually with you; you hold my right hand.
24 You guide me with your counsel,
and afterward you will receive me to glory.
25 Whom have I in heaven but you?
And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you.
26 My flesh and my heart may fail,
but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
27 For behold, those who are far from you shall perish;
you put an end to everyone who is unfaithful to you.
28 But for me it is good to be near God;
I have made the Lord GOD my refuge,
that I may tell of all your works. – Psalm 73:23-28
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A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
O Lord, there is nothing in this world I desire but you
Help me to continue to be devoted to you alone
Though my flesh and my heart may fail
I know you are my strength and deliverer.
You are my refuge and my provider
The promises you made is what I live for
Let me never forget what you do with the unfaithful
You cut off all the wicked and those who are fools.
Help me to follow the path that leads to righteousness
Give me a hunger for your word so I can avoid wickedness
You have loved me first and gave me the ability to love
Let me always walk in that love so I can serve you my Lord and my God.
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REFLECTION
• What is the fate of the unfaithful and those who are far from God according to this psalm?
• What is our responsibility as Christians towards those who are unfaithful and far from the Lord?
PSALM 73 ON THE WAYS OF THE WICKED
November 7
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PSALM 73 ON THE WAYS OF THE WICKED
Truly God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart.
2 But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled, my steps had nearly slipped.
3 For I was envious of the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
4 For they have no pangs until death; their bodies are fat and sleek.
5 They are not in trouble as others are; they are not stricken like the rest of mankind.
6 Therefore pride is their necklace; violence covers them as a garment.
7 Their eyes swell out through fatness; their hearts overflow with follies.
8 They scoff and speak with malice; loftily they threaten oppression.
9 They set their mouths against the heavens, and their tongue struts through the earth.
10 Therefore his people turn back to them, and find no fault in them.
11 And they say, “How can God know? Is there knowledge in the Most High?”
12 Behold, these are the wicked; always at ease, they increase in riches.
– Psalm 73:1-12
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A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
The Lord is good to those whose hearts are pure and right
He despises the wicked for they are full of evil and lies
They wear pride as their garment and flaunts it around
When you hear them speak, deception and confusion abound
They mock the Almighty and think that they are powerful
They continually feed their flesh and they follow no rules.
All you people of God, be warned and do not envy the wealthy
For their god is money and they engage in all kinds of idolatry
Do not get lured by the ways of this world, they are temporary
Instead, gather riches in heaven for they are everlasting and eternal
Serve the Lord your God alone, for he is your Master and Deliverer
Praise and thank him for every good thing that you have been given.
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REFLECTION
• In verses 2-3 Asaph warns us of envying those who are proud and wealthy, why is this caution very important especially for us who serve the Lord?
• What are the ways we can fight the urge to be envious of someone?
PSALM 69 THE LORD HEARS THE NEEDY AND THE OPPRESSED
November 6
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PSALM 69 THE LORD HEARS THE NEEDY AND THE OPPRESSED
32 When the humble see it they will be glad;
you who seek God, let your hearts revive.
33 For the LORD hears the needy
and does not despise his own people who are prisoners.
34 Let heaven and earth praise him,
the seas and everything that moves in them.
35 For God will save Zion and build up the cities of Judah,
and people shall dwell there and possess it;
36 the offspring of his servants shall inherit it,
and those who love his name shall dwell in it. – Psalm 69:32-36
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A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
When you are desperately in need and imprisoned by your flesh
Run to the throne of God, for he will never abandon his children
The Lord hears the needy and all those who are oppressed
He knows you inside and out and can understand your distress
Let your loyalty be to the God who can give you provision
He alone can free you from bondage and grant you salvation
The Lord is your shield and your protector; he is your fortress
Do not doubt his power and might or you’ll fail the test.
The Lord refines all those who belong to him
He gives them strength and grace to overcome sin
Let all God’s creation give him the adoration
All you God’s people, sing joyfully and give him exaltation
He deserves all your praise and thanksgiving
Let your children worship the God who is Almighty
The offspring of his servants shall inherit his legacy
The Lord provides for all the needy and the oppressed.
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REFLECTION
• What is the greatest assurance you can take away from this psalm?
• Why is depression not an option for Christians based on this psalm?
PSALM 69 LORD BRING JUDGMENT ON EVIL
November 5
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PSALM 69 LORD BRING JUDGMENT ON EVIL
22 Let their own table before them become a snare;
and when they are at peace, let it become a trap.
23 Let their eyes be darkened, so that they cannot see,
and make their loins tremble continually.
24 Pour out your indignation upon them, and let your burning anger overtake them.
25 May their camp be a desolation; let no one dwell in their tents.
26 For they persecute him whom you have struck down,
and they recount the pain of those you have wounded.
27 Add to them punishment upon punishment; may they have no acquittal from you.
28 Let them be blotted out of the book of the living;
let them not be enrolled among the righteous.
29 But I am afflicted and in pain; let your salvation, O God, set me on high!
30 I will praise the name of God with a song; I will magnify him with thanksgiving.
31 This will please the LORD more than an ox or a bull with horns and hoofs.
– Psalm 69:22-31
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A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
Lord, you are a God of love and you hate all kinds of evil
You promised to protect and take care of your people
Bring judgment to all those who plot schemes against us
Let them know how much you abhor all kinds of wickedness
May their plans to harm someone be put on hold
May their names be removed from your book
Let their own traps work against them instead
Protect all the upright whom they want to hurt
Lord, we will praise you forever and always worship you daily
We will serve your majestic and powerful name constantly.
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REFLECTION
• Why do you think David prayed imprecatory prayers such as this psalm?
• Do you think God wants us to pray this way? Why or why not?
PSALM 69 DELIVER ME LORD FROM SINKING IN THE MIRE
November 4
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PSALM 69 DELIVER ME LORD FROM SINKING IN THE MIRE
13 But as for me, my prayer is to you, O LORD. At an acceptable time, O God,
in the abundance of your steadfast love answer me in your saving faithfulness.
14 Deliver me from sinking in the mire; let me be delivered from my enemies
and from the deep waters. 15 Let not the flood sweep over me,
or the deep swallow me up, or the pit close its mouth over me.
16 Answer me, O LORD, for your steadfast love is good;
according to your abundant mercy, turn to me.
17 Hide not your face from your servant, for I am in distress; make haste to answer me.
18 Draw near to my soul, redeem me; ransom me because of my enemies!
19 You know my reproach, and my shame and my dishonor;
my foes are all known to you. 20 Reproaches have broken my heart,
so that I am in despair. I looked for pity, but there was none,
and for comforters, but I found none.21 They gave me poison for food,
and for my thirst they gave me sour wine to drink. – Psalm 69:13-21
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A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
Lord, I pray that you hear me whenever it is acceptable for you
In your steadfast love, grant my mind to be renewed
Deliver me from sinking in the mire as I am pulled down by the enemy
Never let me go so I can triumph over them and have victory.
Do not hide your presence from me Lord, I will not make it without you
Remind me to always be awed by your deeds and help me live in the new
Draw near to me as I come near to you my Lord and my salvation
You know every step of the enemy, help me to overcome temptations.
Answer my prayer Lord for I am in deep distress right now
Be with me as I go through the bottom of the mire
Only you can pull me out of this deep trouble
Help me not to get drowned in this bottomless rubble
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REFLECTION
• What kind of mire are you sinking in right now that you want the Lord to pull you out from? Why is pleading the Lord a good practice to do in this situation?
PSALM 69 SAVE ME FROM MY ENEMIES AND MY FOLLY
November 3
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PSALM 69 SAVE ME FROM MY ENEMIES AND MY FOLLY
Save me, O God! For the waters have come up to my neck.
2 I sink in deep mire, where there is no foothold;
I have come into deep waters, and the flood sweeps over me.
3 I am weary with my crying out; my throat is parched.
My eyes grow dim with waiting for my God.
4 More in number than the hairs of my head are those who hate me without cause;
mighty are those who would destroy me, those who attack me with lies.
What I did not steal must I now restore? 5 O God, you know my folly;
the wrongs I have done are not hidden from you.
6 Let not those who hope in you be put to shame through me, O Lord GOD of hosts;
let not those who seek you be brought to dishonor through me, O God of Israel.
7 For it is for your sake that I have borne reproach, that dishonor has covered my face.
8 I have become a stranger to my brothers, an alien to my mother’s sons.
9 For zeal for your house has consumed me,
and the reproaches of those who reproach you have fallen on me.
10 When I wept and humbled my soul with fasting, it became my reproach.
11 When I made sackcloth my clothing, I became a byword to them.
12 I am the talk of those who sit in the gate, and the drunkards make songs about me.
– Psalm 69:1-12
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A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
O my God, save me from my own folly and from my enemies
I am overwhelmed by all their attacks, Lord, help me
Forgive me for all my transgressions and weaknesses
I need your deliverance from all that keeps me in distress
Let not all those whom the enemy uses prosper
Equip me with your grace, give me courage
Save me from all those who plot evil schemes
Let me never succumb to my nature so I can avoid sin.
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REFLECTION
• Why is it important to come to the throne of God when the enemy attacks us?
• What did David mean in verse 6? Why did you think he said this?
PSALM 68 THE GOD WHO GIVES POWER AND STRENGTH
November 2
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PSALM 68 THE GOD WHO GIVES POWER AND STRENGTH
28 Summon your power, O God, the power, O God, by which you have worked for us.
29 Because of your temple at Jerusalem kings shall bear gifts to you.
30 Rebuke the beasts that dwell among the reeds,
the herd of bulls with the calves of the peoples.
Trample underfoot those who lust after tribute; scatter the peoples who delight in war.
31 Nobles shall come from Egypt; Cush shall hasten to stretch out her hands to God.
32 O kingdoms of the earth, sing to God; sing praises to the Lord, Selah
33 to him who rides in the heavens, the ancient heavens;
behold, he sends out his voice, his mighty voice.
34 Ascribe power to God, whose majesty is over Israel, and whose power is in the skies.
35 Awesome is God from his sanctuary; the God of Israel—
he is the one who gives power and strength to his people.
Blessed be God! – Psalm 68:28-35
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A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
O my Lord, the God of my salvation, hear my plea
I come before you to give you honor and praise
You have manifested your power over all your creation
Hear my prayer for strength to overcome all temptations
Help me see beyond my weaknesses and fears
You are the God who gives us power and strength.
No other gods can grant us such boldness and courage
Let me focus on giving you all thanksgiving and praise
Never let us be defeated by the enemy’s strategies
O Lord, we praise you for you are the God Almighty
When I was weak, you became my strength
When I was oppressed, you freed me from them.
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REFLECTION
• How can we have power and strength when we are surrounded by forces against us?