December 24
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PSALM 118 WHAT CAN MAN DO TO ME IF GOD IS ON MY SIDE
Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!
2 Let Israel say, “His steadfast love endures forever.”
3 Let the house of Aaron say, “His steadfast love endures forever.”
4 Let those who fear the LORD say, “His steadfast love endures forever.”
5 Out of my distress I called on the LORD; the LORD answered me and set me free.
6 The LORD is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?
7 The LORD is on my side as my helper; I shall look in triumph on those who hate me.
8 It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in man.
9 It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in princes.
10 All nations surrounded me; in the name of the LORD I cut them off!
11 They surrounded me, surrounded me on every side
in the name of the LORD I cut them off!
12 They surrounded me like bees; they went out like a fire among thorns;
in the name of the LORD I cut them off!
13 I was pushed hard, so that I was falling, but the LORD helped me. – Psalm 118:1-13
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A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
Praise and give thanks to the Lord who is steadfast in his love
He has equipped all his beloved to endure and be glad
There is no reason to fear anything for the Lord is on our side
Nothing will harm us no matter how hard the wicked try
If the Lord is with us, who can destroy us?
It is better to trust in the Lord than in humans.
When the enemy surrounds us and attack
Let’s not be afraid, for the Lord has our backs
In the name of the Lord, we can overcome
With God on our side, the enemy will be crushed
Even when we are under so much trials and suffering
Trust in the Lord for he is our salvation and protection.
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REFLECTION
• Why should Christians not be afraid if under trial or suffering as this psalm says?
Tag Archives: ILMA BARAYUGA-DOHERTY
PSALM 91 WHEN YOU MAKE GOD YOUR DWELLING PLACE & REFUGE
December 23
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PSALM 91 WHEN YOU MAKE GOD YOUR DWELLING PLACE & REFUGE
9 Because you have made the LORD your dwelling place—
the Most High, who is my refuge—
10 no evil shall be allowed to befall you, no plague come near your tent.
11 For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.
12 On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.
13 You will tread on the lion and the adder;
the young lion and the serpent you will trample underfoot.
14 “Because he holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him;
I will protect him, because he knows my name.
15 When he calls to me, I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him and honor him.
16 With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.” – Psalm 91:9-16
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A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
When you make God your dwelling place, you won’t regret it
Because you will be protected from all the enemy’s tactics
God promised there will be no evil that will befall those who love him
Angels will guard them and protect them from all the devil’s schemes.
When you make God your refuge and shelter
You have authority over the lion and the scorpion
When you are in trouble, the Lord will rescue you
Because you call on his name, he will give you favor.
When you make God your stronghold and shield
He will make you strong and win in the battlefield
Nothing will be so overwhelming no matter the situation is
Because he is on your side, you can count on him always.
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REFLECTION
• Why do you think that despite the promises here in this psalm, many Christians still fail to make the Lord their dwelling place?
• What hinders people from taking shelter in God?
PSALM 91 ABIDE IN THE SHADOW OF THE ALMIGHTY
December 22
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PSALM 91 ABIDE IN THE SHADOW OF THE ALMIGHTY
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.2 I will say to the LORD,
“My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”
3 For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler
and from the deadly pestilence.
4 He will cover you with his pinions,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness is a shield and buckler.
5 You will not fear the terror of the night,
nor the arrow that flies by day,
6 nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness,
nor the destruction that wastes at noonday.
7 A thousand may fall at your side,
ten thousand at your right hand,
but it will not come near you.
8 You will only look with your eyes
and see the recompense of the wicked. – Psalm 91:1-8
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A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
All those who take shelter in the Lord Most High
Will be covered in the shadow of his might
When you take refuge in the Lord God
No evil schemes will overcome you
The Lord covers you with his steadfast love
He delivers you from all schemes of the foe
Though you may encounter all attacks from evil one
No one will destroy you for the Lord is your vindicator
The Lord will make you watch his judgment on them
You will be a witness to how the Lord crushes the enemy.
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REFLECTION
• Why is it important for Christians to take refuge in the Lord instead of fighting for themselves during attacks of the enemy?
• What is the only way of defense we can use against evil schemes?
PSALM 90 NUMBER YOUR DAYS TO HAVE A HEART OF WISDOM
December 21
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PSALM 90 NUMBER YOUR DAYS TO HAVE A HEART OF WISDOM
9 For all our days pass away under your wrath; we bring our years to an end like a sigh.
10 The years of our life are seventy, or even by reason of strength eighty;
yet their span is but toil and trouble; they are soon gone, and we fly away.
11 Who considers the power of your anger, and your wrath according to the fear of you?
12 So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.
13 Return, O LORD! How long? Have pity on your servants!
14 Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love,
that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.
15 Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us,
and for as many years as we have seen evil.
16 Let your work be shown to your servants, and your glorious power to their children.
17 Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us,
and establish the work of our hands upon us; yes, establish the work of our hands!
– Psalm 90:9-17
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A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
O Lord, remind us constantly how life is fleeting
You have given us about seventy to eighty years to live
We get enmeshed with the world and forget how short it is
We allow complacency and procrastination to rule us quickly.
Help us to number our days so we can count all our blessings
Grant us humility always as we go through our lives daily
Make us thankful constantly for whatever we have currently
Give us a heart of compassion and wisdom constantly.
Cloak us with favor and protection while we face our daily battles
Help us to face our daily sufferings and help us to endure always
Keep our eyes focused on the destination that is eternal
Make us prioritize the life to come rather than what is on earth.
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REFLECTION
• How can numbering our days lead us to a heart of wisdom as this psalm says?
PSALM 90 A DWELLING PLACE IN ALL GENERATIONS
December 20
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PSALM 90 A DWELLING PLACE IN ALL GENERATIONS
Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations.
2 Before the mountains were brought forth,
or ever you had formed the earth and the world,
from everlasting to everlasting, you are God.
3 You return man to dust and say, “Return, O children of man!”
4 For a thousand years in your sight are but as yesterday when it is past,
or as a watch in the night.
5 You sweep them away as with a flood; they are like a dream,
like grass that is renewed in the morning:
6 in the morning it flourishes and is renewed;
in the evening it fades and withers.
7 For we are brought to an end by your anger;
by your wrath we are dismayed.
8 You have set our iniquities before you,
our secret sins in the light of your presence. – Psalm 90:1-8
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A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
Who can give us a place to experience comfort and peace?
If you remember to be still and know that the Lord is God,
Then you have been made aware of his dwelling place
The Lord is our refuge, strength, shield and our shelter
He made us in his image, so we can serve only him
We were all made to praise and give him glory.
Give praise, honor to a majestic God who is faithful
Put your hope in the Lord who is your defender and Savior
Remember how short your life is; live for Jesus Christ alone
Have a hopeful attitude when you wait for his return
Be watchful that you do not displease or anger him
Follow his laws and hunger for his word so you can avoid sin.
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REFLECTION
• How is God a dwelling place for all generations as mentioned in verse 1?
• Why is it important to run to God for shelter when we are faced with troubles?
PSALM 89 REMEMBER HOW SHORT OUR TIME IS
December 19
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PSALM 89 REMEMBER HOW SHORT OUR TIME IS
47 Remember how short my time is!
For what vanity you have created all the children of man!
48 What man can live and never see death?
Who can deliver his soul from the power of Sheol? Selah
49 Lord, where is your steadfast love of old,
which by your faithfulness you swore to David?
50 Remember, O Lord, how your servants are mocked,
and how I bear in my heart the insults of all the many nations,
51 with which your enemies mock, O LORD,
with which they mock the footsteps of your anointed.
52 Blessed be the LORD forever. Amen and Amen. – Psalm 89:47-52
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A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
Do you think that you have all the time in the world to waste?
Do you not remember that we have limited time here on earth?
There is a season for everything including your own life
Why do you live it as if there is no end to all that is vain?
Remember how short life is; we need to set priorities
We need to manage where we put all our attention
Do we live for this world or do we follow God’s word?
Are we consumed by our desires or by God’s wisdom?
What are we doing with the life that was given to us?
Are we serving the Lord or are we following our flesh?
Go to the throne of God and ask him to give you discernment
Don’t waste another day with worldly pursuits; give your life to Jesus.
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REFLECTION
• What makes people forget the limitations of this life that was given to us?
• Why do we need to be reminded of how our lives is like a vapor, now here and gone tomorrow?
PSALM 89 GOD’S WRATH IS A CALL TO REPENTANCE
December 18
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PSALM 89 GOD’S WRATH IS A CALL TO REPENTANCE
41 All who pass by plunder him;
he has become the scorn of his neighbors.
42 You have exalted the right hand of his foes;
you have made all his enemies rejoice.
43 You have also turned back the edge of his sword,
and you have not made him stand in battle.
44 You have made his splendor to cease and cast his throne to the ground.
45 You have cut short the days of his youth;
you have covered him with shame. Selah
46 How long, O LORD? Will you hide yourself forever?
How long will your wrath burn like fire? – Psalm 89:41-46
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A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
God is love and therefore hates all evil and sin
He does not condone wickedness; he must punish it
An anointing from the Lord doesn’t mean he won’t discipline you
Because he loves you so much, he doesn’t want you to fall away.
Examine your hearts when you experience God’s anger
There must be a rebellion or lawlessness going on in there
When God’s wrath happens, it is a warning to check one’s heart
It may be an invitation to repentance and renewal of the mind.
Do not be hopeless when you experience his wrath
It may be a learning experience as he leads you to his path
Plead your Lord who generously gives without reproach
Ask for forgiveness so he can cleanse your heart and soul.
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REFLECTION
• Why is God’s wrath not something that a believer should feel hopeless about?
• How is God’s discipline important for all believers?
PSALM 89 GOD DOESN’T BREACH HIS COVENANT
December 17
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PSALM 89 GOD DOESN’T BREACH HIS COVENANT
29 I will establish his offspring forever and his throne as the days of the heavens.
30 If his children forsake my law and do not walk according to my rules,
31 if they violate my statutes and do not keep my commandments,
32 then I will punish their transgression with the rod and their iniquity with stripes,
33 but I will not remove from him my steadfast love or be false to my faithfulness.
34 I will not violate my covenant or alter the word that went forth from my lips.
35 Once for all I have sworn by my holiness; I will not lie to David.
36 His offspring shall endure forever, his throne as long as the sun before me.
37 Like the moon it shall be established forever, a faithful witness in the skies.” Selah
38 But now you have cast off and rejected; you are full of wrath against your anointed.
39 You have renounced the covenant with your servant; you have defiled his crown in the dust. 40 You have breached all his walls; you have laid his strongholds in ruins.
– Psalm 89:27-40
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A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
When the Lord gives a promise, he will surely keep it
God doesn’t breach his covenant, he honors his promise
The Lord keeps his relationship with all the faithful
Even though the saints violate their vow, God still fulfills.
If his people violate his commands or don’t keep his laws,
He will rebuke and discipline them whenever they fall away
But the Lord will never change the words he has already spoken
He is a God who is true to his words, always stable in all his ways.
Whenever you are tempted to breach from your vow to the Lord
Remember what he has done for you, he gave you his only Son
He will never forsake you if you continue to serve the Lord
Continue to stand on his promises so you can overcome the world.
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REFLECTION
• Why is it important to remember that God never breaches his covenant promise but he punishes evil when his people do so?
PSALM 89 GOD’S BLESSINGS AND COVENANT TO HIS ANOINTED ONES
December 16
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PSALM 89 GOD’S BLESSINGS AND COVENANT TO HIS ANOINTED ONES
19 Of old you spoke in a vision to your godly one, and said:
“I have granted help to one who is mighty; I have exalted one chosen from the people.
20 I have found David, my servant; with my holy oil I have anointed him,
21 so that my hand shall be established with him; my arm also shall strengthen him.
22 The enemy shall not outwit him; the wicked shall not humble him.
23 I will crush his foes before him and strike down those who hate him.
24 My faithfulness and my steadfast love shall be with him,
and in my name shall his horn be exalted.
25 I will set his hand on the sea and his right hand on the rivers.
26 He shall cry to me, ‘You are my Father, my God, and the Rock of my salvation.’
27 And I will make him the firstborn, the highest of the kings of the earth.
28 My steadfast love I will keep for him forever,
and my covenant will stand firm for him. – Psalm 89:19-28
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A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
When the Lord chose David, he poured out his blessings on him
Though he was a shepherd boy, he was anointed with holy oil
The Lord established his covenant with him and gave him strength
God loved David immensely for he pursued his own heart without end.
He promised victory to his anointed king and foes will never defeat him
God favored David, he will never be outwitted by the enemy’s strategies
The Lord pours his blessings to his covenant people and to his anointed
Though many are rising against the faithful, they will always be protected.
The highest of the kings of the earth will come from David
Through his lineage, God’s plan is going to be fulfilled
The Lord’s steadfast love will always be with his beloved people
His covenant promise for a Messiah was finally fulfilled in Jesus.
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REFLECTION
• What blessings from the Lord was mentioned in the following verses mentioned in this psalm?
• Share how you have experienced God’s promises fulfilled in your life?
PSALM 89 OUR SHIELD BELONGS TO THE LORD
December 15
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PSALM 89 OUR SHIELD BELONGS TO THE LORD
8 O LORD God of hosts, who is mighty as you are, O LORD, with your faithfulness all around you? 9 You rule the raging of the sea; when its waves rise, you still them.
10 You crushed Rahab like a carcass; you scattered your enemies with your mighty arm.
11 The heavens are yours; the earth also is yours; the world and all that is in it, you have founded them.12 The north and the south, you have created them; Tabor and Hermon joyously praise your name.13 You have a mighty arm; strong is your hand, high your right hand.14 Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne;
steadfast love and faithfulness go before you. 15 Blessed are the people who know the festal shout, who walk, O LORD, in the light of your face,
16 who exult in your name all the day and in your righteousness are exalted.
17 For you are the glory of their strength; by your favor our horn is exalted.
18 For our shield belongs to the LORD, our king to the Holy One of Israel.
– Psalm 89:8-18
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A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
O Lord because of your steadfast love, you chose us first
You made us endure all the challenges set before us
Even though we are faced with attacks from the devil
You protected us and was faithful to show us what was evil.
Help me to never forget that everything comes from you
Even the ability to draw near to you, we cannot boast about
For you have provided us every good and righteous gift
Protect me from pride in thinking that strength comes from me.
You are the Mighty One O Lord; you are our shield against the foe
In your throne lies justice and righteousness; you lead us to freedom
Blessings and praise to you O Lord, who is the Maker of all
Help us to walk in your ways so that we can get up each time we fall.
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REFLECTION
• Why is it important to remember that our strength and shield comes only from our glorious and majestic God? What happens if we forget this?