January 28
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RESCUE THE WEAK AND NEEDY
God has taken his place in the divine council;
In the midst of the gods he holds judgment:
2 “How long will you judge unjustly and show partiality to the wicked?
3 Give justice to the weak and the fatherless;
Maintain the right of the afflicted and the destitute.
4 Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.”
5 They have neither knowledge nor understanding, they walk about in darkness;
All the foundations of the earth are shaken.
6 I said, “You are gods, sons of the Most High, all of you;
7 Nevertheless, like men you shall die, and fall like any prince.”
8 Arise, O God, judge the earth; for you shall inherit all the nations!
-Psalm 82:1-8
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In the book of Chronicles, it is said that Asaph was a descendant of Gershon the son of Levi. He is also known as one of the three Levites commissioned by David to be in charge of singing in the house of Yahweh. According to the ESV study bible notes, Asaph wrote this psalm to God as a community lament with a request on behalf of the whole people. It teaches God’s people to aim to have an ideal society, with their justice visible for all to see. This way, all nations might come to know the one true God. In a corrupt world we live in, this is a reminder for all human rulers and judges (referred to as “gods) that they are accountable to a divine heavenly King, higher than all of them, to bring justice to all.
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ADORATION: Praise you Lord for your just treatment of all. You are Worthy of all praise
CONFESSION: Forgive me when I mistreat anyone because they are different from me.
THANKSGIVING: Thank you for your magnificent creation of man, each one unique.
SUPPLICATION: May all rulers and judges recognize that they are accountable to someone higher than themselves and lead with the same fairness that you rule.
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REFLECTION
• Why do you think God is so concerned that justice prevail in the world?
• What is the responsibility of the justice system or sovereignty when they lead the system or monarchy? What is the subjects responsibility on the other hand?
Tag Archives: ILMA BARAYUGA-DOHERTY
LEAD ME TO THE ROCK Poem Devotional
January 27
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LEAD ME TO THE ROCK
Hear my cry, O God, listen to my prayer;
2 From the end of the earth I call to you when my heart is faint.
Lead me to the rock that is higher than I,
3 For you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the enemy.
4 Let me dwell in your tent forever!
Let me take refuge under the shelter of your wings!
5 For you, O God, have heard my vows;
You have given me the heritage of those who fear your name
6 Prolong the life of the king; may his years endure to all generations!
7 May he be enthroned forever before God;
Appoint steadfast love and faithfulness to watch over him!
8 So will I ever sing praises to your name,
As I perform my vows day after day. -Psalm 61:1-8
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In this psalm, we witness how intimate David’s relationship with God is. He talks to him as someone who would talk to a friend who is so close and dear to him. David humbly acknowledges his status quo which is someone who is desperately in need of protection and strength. His dependence on God’s strength as he calls him the rock higher than him is something each believer should emulate. Le us always remember that we are nothing without God’s unwavering love and faithfulness.
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ADORATION: Praise the Lord for his steadfast love that endures forever. Blessed be the God who exudes all the love in all of his creation. I sing praise to your name.
CONFESSION: Pardon me Lord when I forget to walk intimately with you or run to the rock that is higher than me.
THANKSGIVING: Thank you for giving me an inheritance that you also gave your Son.
SUPPLICATION: May all your people continue to be faithful to focus on the only source of power, strength and resources. May all Christians look up to only you, Lord.
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REFLECTION
• What makes David’s relationship with God so unique? How is his dependence on God so moving? Are there kings and queens today who is like David?
SAVE ME, O MY GOD Poem Devotional
January 26
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SAVE ME, O MY GOD
O LORD, how many are my foes! Many are rising against me;
2 Many are saying of my soul, “There is no salvation for him in God.”
3 But you, O LORD, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head.
4 I cried aloud to the LORD, and he answered me from his holy hill.
5 I lay down and slept; I woke again, for the LORD sustained me.
6 I will not be afraid of many thousands of people
Who have set themselves against me all around.7 Arise, O LORD! Save me, O my God!
For you strike all my enemies on the cheek; you break the teeth of the wicked.
8 Salvation belongs to the LORD; your blessing be on your people!
– Psalm 3:1-8
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It must be heart breaking to know that your own son is wanting to have you killed! This was the psalm that David wrote when he ran from Absalom’s rebellion. Absalom took justice in his own hand by killing Amnon his brother, who raped his own sister Tamar. Because David did not do anything about confronting what his son Amnon did, dis angered Absalom and motivated him to kill him. Despite all of this, David prayed hard that his son be not harmed and ordered his army not to hurt him. In this psalm, we witness David’s heart after God’s own heart. He trusted that God will resolve all.
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ADORATION: We exult you O Lord! You are the One who has power and might to bring justice to all situations. You are omnipotent and omniscient. Praise you Lord.
CONFESSION: Whenever I forget to run to you and do things on my own, grant me forgiveness. Have mercy on me when I act independently from you.
THANKSGIVING: Thank you for all the protection you give those who love you.
SUPPLICATION: May we have the mind of Christ especially in the midst of our trials and sufferings. May we have the humility to run to our heavenly Father especially when we are in trouble and in pain.
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REFLECTION
• Why is running to God a great picture of humility and dependence?
• Why is God-dependence better than independence?
• How can running from someone’s wrath be a better option than facing it?
YOU ARE MY REFUGE Poem Devotional
January 25
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YOU ARE MY REFUGE
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
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In this psalm, David flees from Saul into a cave. He must have been so discouraged after finding out that his loyalty to Saul have been returned with a threat to be killed. Saul’s jealousy over David’s strength, power, anointing and charisma with the people drove Saul to desire him killed. Despite the discouragement, we hear David’s dependence on God, that God is his refuge. What a close relationship he had with the Lord! He can be honest and open about what he feels and how weak and tired he was, and yet trust God fully.
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ADORATION: Praise the Lord for his unwavering faithfulness and love for all his people.
CONFESSION: Forgive me each time I am not honest with you about how I feel when I am discouraged and frustrated.
THANKSGIVING: I am forever grateful for all the strength and encouragement you bring me whenever I need it.
SUPPLICATION: May each believer have the humility and vulnerability to admit their weaknesses and let the Lord take over in times of danger and threat.
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REFLECTION
• Why was David fleeing from Saul when he can actually defend himself easily because he is stronger than him? What was his special relationship with God?
DELIVER ME FROM LYING LIPS AND DECEITFUL TONGUE Poem Devotional
January 24
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DELIVER ME FROM LYING LIPS AND DECEITFUL TONGUE
In my distress I called to the LORD, and he answered me.
2 Deliver me, O LORD, from lying lips, from a deceitful tongue.
3 What shall be given to you, and what more shall be done to you, you, deceitful tongue?
4 A warrior’s sharp arrows, with glowing coals of the broom tree!
5 Woe to me, that I sojourn in Meshech, that I dwell among the tents of Kedar!
6 Too long have I had my dwelling among those who hate peace.
7 I am for peace, but when I speak, they are for war! – Psalm 120:1-7
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This Psalm is an individual lament sung by someone living away from Israel (v.5). The psalmist weeps over those people who constantly seek to lie and pursue wars and conflicts. He wants peace so he even went away from such high conflict people, but the effect of living with such kind of evil is not unnoticed. In the first verse, he recalls how the Lord has delivered him in the past from such circumstances and pleads for deliverance from such situations and conflict lovers. I could easily identify with the psalmist. I have loved ones who just loves do fight for the sake of being right or just to prove how much better they are from others. It is an exhausting task to love people like this, but we are commanded to love all, especially those who are difficult and makes an enemy of us. I do my best to justify the reasons for their insecurities and pray for freedom from that bondage for all those who embrace a life of conflict. I have been there and I know how hard it is to cling to self-protection or mistrust. When I learned my true identity in Jesus, I didn’t have to continue being imprisoned by proving my self-worth.
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ADORATION: Praise you Jesus, for your faithful love that endures forever.
CONFESSION: Forgive me when I engage in conflict and anger to defend myself. You are my defender and I need not say a thing to explain.
THANKSGIVING: Thank you for being the epitome of unconditional.
SUPPLICATION: May all believers remember to surrender to God who is “love” himself.
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REFLECTION
• How do we deal with people who constantly lie to us? Should we just be silent?
• What is the antidote to those who love to argue and engage others in conflict?
• What other verses in the bible can we dwell on when faced with conflicts?
MAKE YOUR FACE SHINE UPON US
January 21
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MAKE YOUR FACE SHINE UPON US
May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face to shine upon us,
2 That your way may be known on earth, your saving power among all nations.
3 Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you!
4 Let the nations be glad and sing for joy, for you judge the peoples with equity
And guide the nations upon earth. 5 Let the peoples praise you, O God;
Let all the peoples praise you!6 The earth has yielded its increase;
God, our God, shall bless us.7 God shall bless us;
Let all the ends of the earth fear him! – Psalm 67:1-7
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ESV Study bible notes that this psalm is a prayer that God will bless Israel with a fruitful harvest (v.6) so that the rest of the world may come to know the true God. Singing this helps Israel to keep its own calling in view; their blessing is not simply for themselves but for the Gentiles to see.
It is interesting to know that the Israelites asks the Lord to bless them so that they can reflect to the Gentiles the face of God.
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ADORATION: May your face shine upon us, glorious God! Praise be to you, who is the only source of Light and Life. We adore and glorify you. You are the God of all creation, the All-Seeing and All-powerful God.
CONFESSION: Forgive me when I forget to shine your light on others, especially when I am not able to bless others with the bounty you have given me. Forgive me when I fail to do the right thing and follow my natural inclination.
THANKSGIVING: Thank you for the many things you have given me, the natural and spiritual gifts that you generously endowed upon me. Thank you for choosing me to be one of your people who can shine your light on others.
SUPPLICATION: Let me not forget to remember to bless others with the blessings I receive from you. May all believers watch their hearts so that they can be light for Jesus.
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REFLECTION
• Why is it important for us to share the blessings that we have received from the Lord to others?
• What happens when we don’t reflect Jesus’ light in our lives?
FOOLS SAY “THERE IS NO GOD” Poem Devotional
January 20
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FOOLS SAY “THERE IS NO GOD”
The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.”
They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds; there is none who does good.
2 The LORD looks down from heaven on the children of man,
To see if there are any who understand, who seek after God.
3 They have all turned aside; together they have become corrupt;
There is none who does good, not even one.
4 Have they no knowledge, all the evildoers
Who eat up my people as they eat bread and do not call upon the LORD?
5 There they are in great terror, for God is with the generation of the righteous.
6 You would shame the plans of the poor, but the LORD is his refuge.
7 Oh, that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion!
When the LORD restores the fortunes of his people,
Let Jacob rejoice, let Israel be glad. – Psalm 14:1-7
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Psalm 14 is a community lament according to the ESV Study Bible. Humans in general do not seek after God and thus they treat God’s people cruelly. If you read Psalm 53, you’ll find some similarities to the content of it. It reminds believers that we need to be able to run to God because our human nature is so corrupt. It is a shame to read this Psalm especially for God’s people because it seems like we are no different from unbelievers.
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ADORATION: Praise to the God of Abraham, to our Heavenly Father, who promised to rescue us from corruption and bring us back to Him.
CONFESSION: I repent of the times I allow myself to be tainted by this world, Lord. Forgive me when I forget that my body, mind and spirit is yours and not mine.
THANKSGIVING: Thank you for your mercy and faithfulness. You grant us forgiveness when we repent and confess.
SUPPLICATION: May all your holy people remember never to forget that there is a God and not behave like other pagans. You separated us from all this worldly people, may we always walk in obedience to your laws.
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REFLECTION
• How can you convince an unbeliever that we need to be different from them?
LET EVERYTHING PRAISE THE LORD Poem Devotional
January 19
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LET EVERYTHING PRAISE THE LORD
Praise the LORD! Praise God in his sanctuary;
Praise him in his mighty heavens! 2 Praise him for his mighty deeds;
Praise him according to his excellent greatness!
3 Praise him with trumpet sound; praise him with lute and harp!
4 Praise him with tambourine and dance; Praise him with strings and pipe!
5 Praise him with sounding cymbals; praise him with loud clashing cymbals!
6 Let everything that has breath praise the LORD!
Praise the LORD! -Psalm 150:1-6
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ESV Study Bible Footnote on this Psalm: This hymn closes the Psalter with its call for “everything that has breath” to praise the Lord with every king of jubilant accompaniment. The list of musical instruments generates the impression of loud song and ceaseless motion- the worshiper’s whole resources offering praise to God.
Sadly, some believers do not praise the Lord as much as this Psalm encourages us to do. Very few churches among many denominations actually practice this kind of worship. I think that our voices (which is a musical instrument as well) plus all the other instruments should be giving glory to the Maker of all things.
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ADORATION: Shout to the Lord to praise Him. He is Lord of all creation, Lord Almighty. He is Worthy to be praised. Praise the Lord.
CONFESSION: Forgive me when I am lukewarm or cold with my stance. I want to praise you and worship you with everything I have but sometimes I forget that you want us to have passion to adore you.
THANKSGIVING: Thank you for all the different instruments that you inspired people to create. Thank you for the gifts of music and dancing which we must use to worship you.
SUPPLICATION: May all believers be exulting you in music, dance and all art forms. May all our natural and spiritual gifts point only to you.
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REFLECTION
• Why are we supposed to use our voices and bodies and other instruments to praise the Lord? Why not just be quiet in our seats?
• What happens when we joyfully worship?
BLESSED IS EVERYONE WHO FEARS THE LORD Poem Devotional
January 18
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BLESSED IS EVERYONE WHO FEARS THE LORD
Blessed is everyone who fears the LORD, who walks in his ways!
2 You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands;
You shall be blessed, and it shall be well with you.
3 Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house;
Your children will be like olive shoots around your table.
4 Behold, thus shall the man be blessed who fears the LORD.
5 The LORD bless you from Zion!
May you see the prosperity of Jerusalem all the days of your life!
6 May you see your children’s children! Peace be upon Israel!
-Psalm 128:1-6
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Wisdom psalms are called as such because they are like the genre used in Proverbs, Job, Song of Songs and Ecclesiastes. Wisdom literature tends to give us comparisons of life choices made by those who turn back to God as a contrast to those who obey him. Psalm 128 gives us a clear overview of the blessings that someone who fears the Lord, can experience. We see a picture of the bounty of a good family and a long life that dedicated and faithful believers will receive.
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ADORATION: Praise to you our Living God. You are a generous giver who makes sure that those who bring you honor are blessed. You are so faithful and the source of all things.
CONFESSION: Whenever I fail to honor you, please forgive me. My flesh may be working against my desire to please you, grant me mercy when those times happen.
THANKSGIVING: Thank you for your bountiful blessings to all those who keep a straight path to you and to all those who make you first in their lives.
SUPPLICATION: May your grace abound to those who faithfully carry their crosses and live their lives to please you. May you grant strength to those who struggle to follow the only road that leads to you. May those who are lost, find their way to discover your unconditional love and come back to you Lord.
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REFLECTION
• What blessings have you received as a result of your reverence for the Lord?
• How is “fear of the Lord” the beginning of wisdom as stated in Proverbs 9:10?
RESTORE OUR FORTUNES O LORD Poem Devotional
January 17
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RESTORE OUR FORTUNES O LORD
When the LORD restored the fortunes of Zion,
We were like those who dream.
2 Then our mouth was filled with laughter,
And our tongue with shouts of joy;
Then they said among the nations,
“The LORD has done great things for them.”
3 The LORD has done great things for us; we are glad.
4 Restore our fortunes, O LORD, like streams in the Negeb!
5 Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy!
6 He who goes out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing,
Shall come home with shouts of joy, bringing his sheaves with him.
– Psalm 126:1-6
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This psalm is another song of ascents (sung while they are going up on the hill where the Temple is). It is a recollection of how the Lord has renewed them from their former struggles and once again requests Him to do the same. As if in a dream, they are declaring what the Lord will give them once again as He did in the former. A psalm full of expectancy and faith in the Lord’s generosity and mercy.
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ADORATION: We praise the God who is most generous and faithful to deliver his people. We look up to a God of mercy and who is Sovereign.
CONFESSION: Forgive me when I become so discouraged and fail to have a hopeful expectancy on your unfailing mercy and love.
THANKSGIVING: Thank you for all that you have done in our lives. It is amazing how you continually provide for all our needs even though we don’t deserve it.
SUPPLICATION: May all your people continue to look forward to the hope that only comes from knowing and believing in your promises.
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REFLECTION
• How can a believer avoid to be pulled down from discouragements and struggles?
• Why is looking back on the miracles that God has done for you important in maintaining a hopeful expectant attitude?