January 22
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PSALM 106
32 They angered him at the waters of Meribah,
and it went ill with Moses on their account,
33 for they made his spirit bitter,
and he spoke rashly with his lips.
34 They did not destroy the peoples,
as the LORD commanded them,
35 but they mixed with the nations
and learned to do as they did.
36 They served their idols,
which became a snare to them.
37 They sacrificed their sons
and their daughters to the demons;
38 they poured out innocent blood,
the blood of their sons and daughters,
whom they sacrificed to the idols of Canaan,
and the land was polluted with blood.
39 Thus they became unclean by their acts,
and played the whore in their deeds. – Psalm 106:32-39
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PSALM 106 ON SERVING IDOLS AND YOKING WITH THE WICKED
A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
Serve the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength
And your life will be blessed and you will resist the foe
Give up all distractions and idols that keep you from serving the Lord
The Lord wants undivided attention; he wants you to make him first
Keep yourself unstained by the world and its systems of wickedness
God wants you to be pure and holy, walking constantly in righteousness
Idols are traps that keep you away from worshiping the Lord
Satan wants to make sure that you serve him instead of the God that is true
Keep your lives holy and undefiled by the corruption and chaos around you
If you depend on God to keep you pure for him, he will be faithful to save your soul.
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REFLECTION
• What were the consequences of the sin of idolatry in this psalm?
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PSALM 106 ON GRUMBLING AND COMPLAINING
January 21
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PSALM 106
24 Then they despised the pleasant land,
having no faith in his promise.
25 They murmured in their tents,
and did not obey the voice of the LORD.
26 Therefore he raised his hand and swore to them
that he would make them fall in the wilderness,
27 and would make their offspring fall among the nations,
scattering them among the lands.
28 Then they yoked themselves to the Baal of Peor,
and ate sacrifices offered to the dead;
29 they provoked the LORD to anger with their deeds,
and a plague broke out among them.
30 Then Phinehas stood up and intervened,
and the plague was stayed.
31 And that was counted to him as righteousness
from generation to generation forever. – Psalm 106:24-31
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PSALM 106 ON GRUMBLING AND COMPLAINING
A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
Counting our blessings is a way to worship the Lord
Grumbling and complaining is dishonoring to God
When the Israelites whined and despised the land they were given
They began to rebel and ignore God’s voice and provisions
They provoked the Lord to anger with their unfaithfulness
They forgot their covenant promise to a Lord who is full of grace.
When we grumble, we fail to see the gifts that God has provided
Dissatisfaction is an open door for greed and more transgressions.
Let us give up whining; instead, let us be contented
Let us not focus on what we don’t have but what we can give
To grumble is to rebel and be dissatisfied with God’s goodness
Let us replace discontent with worship and thankfulness.
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REFLECTION
• How can we catch ourselves when we begin to grumble and complain?
PSALM 106 WHAT JEALOUSY DOES
January 20
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PSALM 106
16 When men in the camp were jealous of Moses
and Aaron, the holy one of the LORD,
17 the earth opened and swallowed up Dathan,
and covered the company of Abiram.
18 Fire also broke out in their company;
the flame burned up the wicked.
19 They made a calf in Horeb
and worshiped a metal image.
20 They exchanged the glory of God
for the image of an ox that eats grass.
21 They forgot God, their Savior,
who had done great things in Egypt,
22 wondrous works in the land of Ham,
and awesome deeds by the Red Sea.
23 Therefore he said he would destroy them—
had not Moses, his chosen one,
stood in the breach before him,
to turn away his wrath from destroying them. – Psalm 106:16-23
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PSALM 106 WHAT JEALOUSY DOES
A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
The Lord God is a jealous God who hates all evildoers and idols
He also loathes unrighteous men who are jealous of his own people
When insecurity lurks in someone’s heart, jealousy and envy isn’t far
Watch out when you compare yourself with others and get dissatisfied
The enemy will steal, kill and destroy your identity and make you envious
He will accuse you of not having enough so you can desire and lust more
Be watchful when you feel doubtful, fearful and lacking
You are being manipulated to covet and start envying
Gratitude and contentment are antidotes to jealousy
Be thankful for what God has given you and worship him only.
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REFLECTION
• How grave is the sin of jealousy according to this psalm?
PSALM 106 SAVED FROM THE POWER OF THE ENEMY
January 19
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PSALM 106
9 He rebuked the Red Sea, and it became dry,
and he led them through the deep as through a desert.
10 So he saved them from the hand of the foe
and redeemed them from the power of the enemy.
11 And the waters covered their adversaries;
not one of them was left.
12 Then they believed his words;
they sang his praise.
13 But they soon forgot his works;
they did not wait for his counsel.
14 But they had a wanton craving in the wilderness,
and put God to the test in the desert;
15 he gave them what they asked,
but sent a wasting disease among them. – Psalm 106:9-15
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PSALM 106 SAVED FROM THE POWER OF THE ENEMY
A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
God is faithful to deliver his people from the adversary
The Lord protects his people and saves them from the tactics of the enemy
No matter how much suffering you go through, continue to trust God
Do not allow open doors that gives Satan a foothold on you
Just as the Lord delivered his people from the Egyptians
He will do the same for you no matter the situation.
To all the faithful, authority is in your hands
Use such power to command the evil one
Do not be afraid of what the devil can do to you
The Lord is sovereign; you will surely be rescued
Never forget God’s deeds, do not put him to the test
Serve the Lord your God and be faithful and you will have rest.
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REFLECTION
• In verses 13-14, we are reminded how the people easily forgot God’s wondrous deeds for them and didn’t wait for God’s counsel and put him to the test. How may we easily follow this pattern in our lives and how can we prevent it?
PSALM 106 GOD’S FAITHFULNESS DESPITE HIS PEOPLE’S UNFAITHFULNESS
January 18
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PSALM 106
Praise the LORD! Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good,
for his steadfast love endures forever!
2 Who can utter the mighty deeds of the LORD, or declare all his praise?
3 Blessed are they who observe justice, who do righteousness at all times!
4 Remember me, O LORD, when you show favor to your people; help me when you save them, 5 that I may look upon the prosperity of your chosen ones,
that I may rejoice in the gladness of your nation, that I may glory with your inheritance.
6 Both we and our fathers have sinned;
we have committed iniquity; we have done wickedness.
7 Our fathers, when they were in Egypt, did not consider your wondrous works;
they did not remember the abundance of your steadfast love,
but rebelled by the sea, at the Red Sea.
8 Yet he saved them for his name’s sake, that he might make known his mighty power.
– Psalm 106:1-8
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PSALM 106 GOD’S FAITHFULNESS DESPITE HIS PEOPLE’S UNFAITHFULNESS
A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
The Lord is unchanging; his steadfast love endures forever
He is full of mercy and grace; his love is unconditional and eternal
When God made a covenant with Israel, he kept his promise
Despite the unfaithfulness of his people, the Lord’s love prevails.
If God has chosen you, he will never forsake you despite your sinfulness
He will rebuke you when you do wrong, but he will always stay faithful
When you belong to the Lord, he will save you for his name’s sake
Do not provoke God’s wrath; he saved you by his own Son’s blood.
Man’s love is not like God’s; humans love conditionally
A man’s heart is tainted by sin; God’s heart is pure and holy
Blessed is he who depends on God’s steadfast love and serve him
That faithful man will be spared of much chaos due to sin.
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REFLECTION
• How can we have God’s faithfulness as we live in this very corrupt world?
PSALM 105 ASK THE LORD AND YOU SHALL RECEIVE
January 17
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PSALM 105
36 He struck down all the firstborn in their land, the firstfruits of all their strength.
39 He spread a cloud for a covering, and fire to give light by night.
40 They asked, and he brought quail, and gave them bread from heaven in abundance.
41 He opened the rock, and water gushed out; it flowed through the desert like a river.
42 For he remembered his holy promise, and Abraham, his servant.
43 So he brought his people out with joy, his chosen ones with singing.
44 And he gave them the lands of the nations,
and they took possession of the fruit of the peoples’ toil,
45 that they might keep his statutes and observe his laws. Praise the LORD!
– Psalm 105:36-45
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PSALM 105 ASK THE LORD AND YOU SHALL RECEIVE
A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
Remember how the Lord delivered his people in Moses’ time?
He raised the Red Sea for them to cross it towards the Promised Land
Then he put back the water when they were all safe to cross to kill the Egyptians
He covered them with clouds by day and had fire to give them light in the evening.
They were given manna from heaven daily; they didn’t starve and it was sufficient
When they asked for meat, the Lord had quail falling down from heaven in plenty
When they were thirsty in the desert, the Lord split a rock and water flowed
Whatever they asked, they were given because the Lord gives in abundance.
Therefore, do not fail to run to the gracious throne of God to ask
But make sure that your request doesn’t go against his laws
Your Father in heaven is loving and compassionate to his people
Ask in faith and never doubt so you can receive what you asked for.
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REFLECTION
• Why do you think many people expect more than they actually ask?
• What do you think is behind the lack of childlike dependence on God that is the key factor in praying?
• Share some answered prayer that you asked God for and you were given it?
PSALM 105 HOW GOD DELIVERS HIS PEOPLE
January 16
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PSALM 105
26 He sent Moses, his servant, and Aaron, whom he had chosen.
27 They performed his signs among them and miracles in the land of Ham.
28 He sent darkness, and made the land dark; they did not rebel against his words.
29 He turned their waters into blood and caused their fish to die.
30 Their land swarmed with frogs, even in the chambers of their kings.
31 He spoke, and there came swarms of flies, and gnats throughout their country.
32 He gave them hail for rain, and fiery lightning bolts through their land.
33 He struck down their vines and fig trees, and shattered the trees of their country.
34 He spoke, and the locusts came, young locusts without number,
35 which devoured all the vegetation in their land and ate up the fruit of their ground.
– Psalm 105:26-35
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PSALM 105 HOW GOD DELIVERS HIS PEOPLE
A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
When you were chosen by the Lord as one of his people
You have no reason to fear; whatever trials you undergo, the Lord is faithful
Just like he delivered the Israelites from the Egyptians
He will do everything to rescue you from bondage and slavery.
The Lord sent Moses and Aaron to lead the Israelites
Despite their inabilities and fears, he equipped them to go forth
Then, he made them perform miracles to show off his power
It was a clear manifestation of the Lord’s provision and full control.
It was in God’s plan that he hardened the heart of Pharaoh
This was to exhibit all this power and glory to his own people
These wondrous deeds are made to make the Israelites stay faithful
It was to fulfill the covenant promise he made with his beloved people.
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REFLECTION
• Share an exodus experience that God has delivered you from.
• Why is it important to constantly recall these wondrous deeds God did?
PSALM 105 GOD PROVIDES AND PROTECTS HIS PEOPLE
January 15
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PSALM 105
12 When they were few in number, of little account, and sojourners in it,
13 wandering from nation to nation, from one kingdom to another people,
14 he allowed no one to oppress them; he rebuked kings on their account,
15 saying, “Touch not my anointed ones, do my prophets no harm!”
16 When he summoned a famine on the land and broke all supply of bread,
17 he had sent a man ahead of them, Joseph, who was sold as a slave.
18 His feet were hurt with fetters; his neck was put in a collar of iron;
19 until what he had said came to pass, the word of the LORD tested him.
20 The king sent and released him; the ruler of the peoples set him free;
21 he made him lord of his house and ruler of all his possessions,
22 to bind his princes at his pleasure and to teach his elders wisdom.
23 Then Israel came to Egypt; Jacob sojourned in the land of Ham.
24 And the LORD made his people very fruitful and made them stronger than their foes.
25 He turned their hearts to hate his people, to deal craftily with his servants.
– Psalm 105:12-25
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PSALM 105 GOD PROVIDES AND PROTECTS HIS PEOPLE
A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
We must never doubt the Lord’s plan; it is perfect
Despite the seemingly hopeless and grim scenarios we witness
He is true to his nature; he provides and protects his people
We saw the blessing later but didn’t at first when Joseph was abused by his brothers
Without them selling him to slavery, the Israelites would have starved during famine
God has a purpose to allow wickedness at times to show his constant provision.
When things are rough and gloomy, do not forget to hope in God
He knows what is best for you, follow him and always stay true
The Lord sees the big picture, he is absolute and powerful
He knows what is going on in the spiritual realm, stay faithful
Praise the Lord who is a compassionate God, a God who sees all
Give him all the honor, glory, praise and worship for he is steadfast in his love.
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REFLECTION
• Why is it always good to remind ourselves how the Lord provides and protects?
PSALM 105 THE PURSUITS OF THE UPRIGHT & THE WICKED
January 14
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PSALM 105
Oh, give thanks to the LORD; call upon his name;
make known his deeds among the peoples!
2 Sing to him, sing praises to him; tell of all his wondrous works!
3 Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice!
4 Seek the LORD and his strength; seek his presence continually!
5 Remember the wondrous works that he has done,
his miracles, and the judgments he uttered,
6 O offspring of Abraham, his servant, children of Jacob, his chosen ones!
7 He is the LORD our God; his judgments are in all the earth.
8 He remembers his covenant forever,
the word that he commanded, for a thousand generations,
9 the covenant that he made with Abraham, his sworn promise to Isaac,
10 which he confirmed to Jacob as a statute, to Israel as an everlasting covenant,
11 saying, “To you I will give the land of Canaan as your portion for an inheritance.”
– Psalm 105:1-11
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PSALM 105 THE PURSUITS OF THE UPRIGHT & THE WICKED
A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
Many people in our world seek earthly things in their lives
They are concerned after their reputation, image, power and wealth
They get consumed by such desires that they forget their calling
So, they get into Satan’s trap of lust, greed and constant sinning
Their desires are insatiable and once conceived, generate more sins
They’ve no idea that when they are fully grown, they’ll bring forth death.
The righteous seek after things that are unseen, spiritual and eternal
They are genuinely concerned and interested in the well-being of others
The blameless do not isolate themselves but seek God’s presence always
They do not panic or worry when they lack, their strength is God’s Spirit
Make God first in all that you do and he will direct your path
Lover others and please the Lord always, then you’ll never be astray
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REFLECTION
• Why do you think the psalmist recommends verse 4 to all Christians?
PSALM 104 PRAYER FOR THE END OF EVIL
January 13
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PSALM 104
24 O LORD, how manifold are your works!
In wisdom have you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures.
25 Here is the sea, great and wide, which teems with creatures innumerable,
living things both small and great.26 There go the ships,
and Leviathan, which you formed to play in it.
27 These all look to you, to give them their food in due season.
28 When you give it to them, they gather it up;
when you open your hand, they are filled with good things.
29 When you hide your face, they are dismayed;
when you take away their breath, they die and return to their dust.
30 When you send forth your Spirit, they are created,
and you renew the face of the ground.
31 May the glory of the LORD endure forever; may the LORD rejoice in his works,
32 who looks on the earth and it trembles, who touches the mountains and they smoke!
33 I will sing to the LORD as long as I live; I will sing praise to my God while I have being.
34 May my meditation be pleasing to him, for I rejoice in the LORD.
35 Let sinners be consumed from the earth, and let the wicked be no more!
Bless the LORD, O my soul! Praise the LORD! – Psalm 104:24-35
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PSALM 104 PRAYER FOR THE END OF EVIL
A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
O Lord our God who is the maker of all things lovely and bright
Without your providence, we will not make it in this life
Do not hide your presence from all those whom you have chosen
Deliver them from the ploy and tactics of the evil one
Let all the controlling, manipulative and deceiving spirits be exposed
As they spread their wickedness, let your Spirit give us boldness
Do not let us ever think that we can fight this evil on our own
Lest we be deceived and be misled to think that is truth
Let all the strong members of your church take lead to destroy evil works
Let all the weak members be filled with your Spirit so they too, can be bold.
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REFLECTION
• Why is it important for us to pray for evil to cease in our world today?