November 18
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PSALM 78 SET YOUR HOPE IN GOD & KEEP HIS LAWS
Give ear, O my people, to my teaching; incline your ears to the words of my mouth!
2 I will open my mouth in a parable; I will utter dark sayings from of old,
3 things that we have heard and known, that our fathers have told us.
4 We will not hide them from their children, but tell to the coming generation
the glorious deeds of the LORD, and his might, and the wonders that he has done.
5 He established a testimony in Jacob and appointed a law in Israel,
which he commanded our fathers to teach to their children,
6 that the next generation might know them, the children yet unborn,
and arise and tell them to their children,7 so that they should set their hope in God
and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments;
8 and that they should not be like their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation,
a generation whose heart was not steadfast, whose spirit was not faithful to God.
– Psalm 78:1-8
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A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
Lord, help us to always remember the things you’ve done
You have rescued us from sin and gave us freedom
Let us not forget the wonderful deeds you have shown your people
Keep us steadfast in believing that you will always be our protector
Forgive us our tendencies to naturally follow our rebellious nature
Only your Spirit can free us from such automatic inclinations.
Let us keep a steady focus on your laws so we can follow
When we get distressed, let us keep our eyes only in you
As the enemy brings his plan to attack and destroy
Keep us steady and strong to endure all his ploys
We will set our hope only in the Lord who made heaven and earth
Never will we rely on our own understanding but depend on his Spirit.
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REFLECTION
• What things and situations keep us hopeless?
• How can we avoid being distressed and discouraged when we don’t get the results we expect?
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PSALM 77 THE GOD WHO WORKS WONDERS
November 17
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PSALM 77 THE GOD WHO WORKS WONDERS
11 I will remember the deeds of the LORD; yes, I will remember your wonders of old.
12 I will ponder all your work, and meditate on your mighty deeds.
13 Your way, O God, is holy. What god is great like our God?
14 You are the God who works wonders; you have made known your might among the peoples.15 You with your arm redeemed your people,
the children of Jacob and Joseph. Selah 16 When the waters saw you, O God,
when the waters saw you, they were afraid; indeed, the deep trembled.
17 The clouds poured out water; the skies gave forth thunder;
your arrows flashed on every side.18 The crash of your thunder was in the whirlwind;
your lightnings lighted up the world; the earth trembled and shook.
19 Your way was through the sea, your path through the great waters;
yet your footprints were unseen. 20 You led your people like a flock
by the hand of Moses and Aaron. – Psalm 77:10-20
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A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
O Lord, I am in awe of your majesty and power
All your creation bows down to you and cower
You are the God who created all things for your purpose
There is no other god who can do such deeds that are marvelous
Your presence manifest in all that you have made
Let me never forget to magnify you in all that you’ve done.
I will remember all the deeds you do in the ancient days
You showed your love to them when you rescued them
You provided manna from heaven to keep them fed
You protected them from the enemy and kept them safe
I praise and glorify you, the Lord who made heaven and earth
Keep me thankful and remember all you have wonderfully made.
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REFLECTION
• What hinders us from magnifying God in our world today?
• What can you do to remove these obstacles that doesn’t focus on the wonderful works of the Lord?
PSALM 77 WHEN IN TROUBLE
November 16
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PSALM 77 WHEN IN TROUBLE
I cry aloud to God, aloud to God, and he will hear me.
2 In the day of my trouble I seek the Lord;
in the night my hand is stretched out without wearying;
my soul refuses to be comforted.
3 When I remember God, I moan; when I meditate, my spirit faints. Selah
4 You hold my eyelids open; I am so troubled that I cannot speak.
5 I consider the days of old, the years long ago.
6 I said, “Let me remember my song in the night; let me meditate in my heart.”
Then my spirit made a diligent search:
7 “Will the Lord spurn forever, and never again be favorable?
8 Has his steadfast love forever ceased? Are his promises at an end for all time?
9 Has God forgotten to be gracious? Has he in anger shut up his compassion?” Selah
10 Then I said, “I will appeal to this, to the years of the right hand of the Most High.”
– Psalm 77:1-10
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A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
When you are going through distressful moments, run to the Lord
Cry out to him even though you are overwhelmed by this world
Plead him to give you all the strength and endurance to press on
If you serve him, he promises that he will never leave or forsake you
When in trouble, do not lose hope but remember all his promises
Do your best to follow his laws so you will not give in to stresses.
When in trouble, remember all the deeds that the Lord has done
Then your focus will shift from your mindsets to those of the Lord’s
Though you struggle visualizing God’s presence, he sees everything
Do not give in to your doubts, fears, lies and catastrophizing
The Lord blesses all those who run to him and he delivers them
Never think that you can overcome troubles without God’s help.
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REFLECTION
• As humans, why do we naturally fix or resolve our troubles on our own instead of running to the Lord for help and guidance?
PSALM 76 THE GOD WHOM KINGS AND PRINCES FEAR
November 14
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PSALM 76 FEAR THE LORD YOUR GOD!
In Judah God is known; his name is great in Israel.
2 His abode has been established in Salem, his dwelling place in Zion.
3 There he broke the flashing arrows,
the shield, the sword, and the weapons of war. Selah
4 Glorious are you, more majestic than the mountains full of prey.
5 The stouthearted were stripped of their spoil; they sank into sleep;
all the men of war were unable to use their hands.
6 At your rebuke, O God of Jacob, both rider and horse lay stunned.
7 But you, you are to be feared! Who can stand before you
when once your anger is roused? – Psalm 76:1-7
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A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
The Maker of heaven and earth is to be praised
He is steadfast in his love and created all things
He is majestic and his power is immeasurable
He is glorious and splendid in all his ways
The Lord is the only one worthy of adoration
Bow down to him and give him exaltation.
Our heavenly Father is to be feared by all
When we don’t revere him, we will definitely fall
The Lord hates all things that are wicked and evil
Serve your God and not this world system that’s ruled by the devil
He established all his people in his own chosen dwelling place
To those who belong to him, they have been sanctified and blessed.
The Lord is to be feared for he knows every mind and heart
Before you speak and act, he is aware of what you will do and say
He knows every intention that is behind your actions
Why even bother to hide from our Lord and Savior?
He is the God of our salvation and he is our only shield
Fear the Lord your God; without him, you will always sin.
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REFLECTION
• How is fear of the Lord beginning of wisdom as Proverbs 9:10 says?
PSALM 75 THE RIGHTEOUS JUDGE
November 13
We give thanks to you, O God; we give thanks, for your name is near.
We recount your wondrous deeds.
2 “At the set time that I appoint I will judge with equity.
3 When the earth totters, and all its inhabitants, it is I who keep steady its pillars. Selah
4 I say to the boastful, ‘Do not boast,’ and to the wicked, ‘Do not lift up your horn;
5 do not lift up your horn on high, or speak with haughty neck.’”
6 For not from the east or from the west and not from the wilderness comes lifting up,
7 but it is God who executes judgment, putting down one and lifting up another.
8 For in the hand of the LORD there is a cup with foaming wine, well mixed,
and he pours out from it, and all the wicked of the earth shall drain it down to the dregs.
9 But I will declare it forever; I will sing praises to the God of Jacob.
10 All the horns of the wicked I will cut off,
but the horns of the righteous shall be lifted up. – Psalm 75:1-10
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A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
Give glory to our Lord, who brings righteous judgment
He alone sees all things from the heavens up above
He is the only one who sees the hearts and minds
Even before we think of something, he already knows it.
To all who boasts and believe in themselves, be warned
For God executes judgment on those who follow their own ways
The Lord separates his own from those who don’t believe in him
They will experience his wrath and they will continue to sin.
To all those who love the Lord, continue to be faithful
Remember all the things he has done for all his people
Be thankful that God is steadfast in his love and merciful
Without his justice, grace and truth, we will be dreadful.
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REFLECTION
• What does 1 Corinthians 5:12 mean when it says that we are to judge those who are in the family of believers and this psalm says that God brings judgement?
PSALM 74 ARISE AND DEFEND YOUR CAUSE O GOD
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?
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 HUMAN KNOWLEDGE VERSUS DISCERNMENT
November 8
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PSALM 73 HUMAN KNOWLEDGE VERSUS DISCERNMENT
13 All in vain have I kept my heart clean and washed my hands in innocence.
14 For all the day long I have been stricken and rebuked every morning.
15 If I had said, “I will speak thus,” I would have betrayed the generation of your children.
16 But when I thought how to understand this, it seemed to me a wearisome task,
17 until I went into the sanctuary of God; then I discerned their end.
18 Truly you set them in slippery places; you make them fall to ruin.
19 How they are destroyed in a moment, swept away utterly by terrors!
20 Like a dream when one awakes,
O Lord, when you rouse yourself, you despise them as phantoms.
21 When my soul was embittered, when I was pricked in heart,
22 I was brutish and ignorant; I was like a beast toward you. – Psalm 73:13-22
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A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
Do you try to figure things out by yourself?
Do you think that if you worked hard, you can be cleansed?
You can do daily task of purifying yourself, but it is all in vain
The cleansing of your soul is the work that only God can do.
Why do you keep on understanding what only God can?
Why do you keep on thinking hard what you can’t understand?
Have you not discovered that the more you analyze, the more you are paralyzed?
Wouldn’t discernment be better than your quest for knowledge?
Human understanding is limited but God’s revelation is boundless
What good is it to keep on understanding and finding answers?
Doesn’t this futile activity just hinder us from hearing God’s Spirit?
Why keep on wanting to know what God has kept secret?
Go to the throne of the Lord and he will give you discernment
Fear the Lord and you will begin to be wise and be enlightened
Rely on your own understanding and you enter the door to disaster
Ask the Lord for discernment and you will see his view and prosper.
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REFLECTION
• Why do you think it is very easy to overthink and rely on our own understanding things in this world? How can we avoid this work of the flesh?
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?