August 9
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PSALM 9 THE LORD IS A STRONGHOLD IN TIMES OF TROUBLE
I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart; I will recount all of your wonderful deeds. 2 I will be glad and exult in you; I will sing praise to your name, O Most High.
3 When my enemies turn back, they stumble and perish before your presence.4 For you have maintained my just cause; you have sat on the throne, giving righteous judgment.
5 You have rebuked the nations; you have made the wicked perish; you have blotted out their name forever and ever. 6 The enemy came to an end in everlasting ruins; their cities you rooted out; the very memory of them has perished. 7 But the LORD sits enthroned forever; he has established his throne for justice, 8 and he judges the world with righteousness; he judges the peoples with uprightness. 9 The LORD is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. 10 And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O LORD, have not forsaken those who seek you. Sing praises to the LORD, who sits enthroned in Zion! Tell among the peoples his deeds! 12 For he who avenges blood is mindful of them; he does not forget the cry of the afflicted. 13 Be gracious to me, O LORD! See my affliction from those who hate me, O you who lift me up from the gates of death, 14 that I may recount all your praises, that in the gates of the daughter of Zion I may rejoice in your salvation. – Psalm 9:1-14
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A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
I will sing praise to the Lord and remember all his wonderful deeds
I will rejoice and be glad and glorify the only true God, the Most high
When the enemy plots to destroy those who live in righteousness
The Lord is their stronghold in times of troubles and weaknesses
He comes to the rescue of all the oppressed and unjustly treated
The Lord delivers them, heals and comfort all those who are afflicted
He does not forget the cry of those who are faithful to him and his word
Praise our Lord God Almighty, he sits on the throne watching over the world
Our Lord God punishes all wickedness, he judges the people with uprightness
He hates evil and won’t allow it to triumph; he crushes all forms of wickedness
Run to the Lord for refuge for he is our strength and stronghold in troubled times
He is the strong foundation for all those who love, trust him and follow his lead.
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REFLECTION
• Share some experiences that proved God is our stronghold in times of trouble?
• Why is it important to sing praise and remember God’s marvelous deeds?
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PSALM 5 LEAD ME O LORD IN YOUR RIGHTEOUSNESS
August 5
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PSALM 5 LEAD ME O LORD IN YOUR RIGHTEOUSNESS
Give ear to my words, O LORD; consider my groaning.2 Give attention to the sound of my cry, my King and my God, for to you do I pray.3 O LORD, in the morning you hear my voice; in the morning I prepare a sacrifice for you and watch. 4 For you are not a God who delights in wickedness; evil may not dwell with you.5 The boastful shall not stand before your eyes; you hate all evildoers.6 You destroy those who speak lies; the LORD abhors the bloodthirsty and deceitful man.7 But I, through the abundance of your steadfast love, will enter your house. I will bow down toward your holy temple in the fear of you.8 Lead me, O LORD, in your righteousness because of my enemies; make your way straight before me.9 For there is no truth in their mouth; their inmost self is destruction; their throat is an open grave; they flatter with their tongue. 10 Make them bear their guilt, O God; let them fall by their own counsels; because of the abundance of their transgressions cast them out, for they have rebelled against you. 11 But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them ever sing for joy, and spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may exult in you.12 For you bless the righteous, O LORD; you cover him with favor as with a shield. – Psalm 5:1-12
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A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
My Lord, I plead you to lead me to your righteousness
Without your guidance, I will succumb to my weaknesses
Let your Holy Spirit help me discern how to show grace
It is difficult to bear those unrighteous and wicked men
Help me to surrender to you all these trials and difficulties
Never let me figure this out for myself; you are my vindicator
Give me strength to endure all these so I can exalt you
Grant me a pure heart and a mind that is always renewed
Bless the righteous and cover him with favor as with a shield
Keep me safe in your steadfast love and grant me peace.
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REFLECTION
• Why is it a good habit for a Christian to let go of independence and depend on God instead especially in difficult circumstances?
PSALM 4 THE LORD ALONE MAKE ME DWELL IN SAFETY ILMA’S POEM DEVOTIONAL
August 4
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PSALM 4 THE LORD ALONE MAKE ME DWELL IN SAFETY
Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness!
You have given me relief when I was in distress.
Be gracious to me and hear my prayer!
2 O men, how long shall my honor be turned into shame?
How long will you love vain words and seek after lies? Selah
3 But know that the LORD has set apart the godly for himself;
the LORD hears when I call to him.4 Be angry, and do not sin;
ponder in your own hearts on your beds, and be silent. Selah
5 Offer right sacrifices, and put your trust in the LORD.
6 There are many who say, “Who will show us some good?
Lift up the light of your face upon us, O LORD!”
7 You have put more joy in my heart
than they have when their grain and wine abound.
8 In peace I will both lie down and sleep;
for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety. – Psalm 4:1-8
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A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
When I feel down and threatened, I run to the Lord for rescue
He is faithful to relieve me of worries; he gets my mind renewed
O Lord, help me to seek your word daily and not believe in lies
So much in the world system corrupts our hearts and lives
Help me when I am angry to not sin, but acknowledge the cause
Keep my tongue from speaking lies; instead, let your word flow
Put a rend on my mind and heart so my lips speak only the truth
Let me be used by you as a vessel to bring your kingdom to come
You alone, O Lord make me dwell in safety; you are my Savior
It is only from You that I will experience contentment and joy
In Christ alone can I lie down and sleep and rest knowing his love
The world can never give me such care because its system is corrupt
O men, go and pay homage and praise to a gracious and generous God
He alone can satisfy and give you peace and joy in this fallen world.
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REFLECTION
• Why should we only trust the Lord when it comes to satisfying our needs?
PSALM 3 SAVE ME FROM MY FOES, O LORD
August 3
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PSALM 3 SAVE ME FROM MY FOES, O LORD
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.” Selah
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. Selah
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! Selah – Psalm 3:1-8
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A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
O lord, I come before you to acknowledge my fears and worries
The enemy creeps so stealthily that I find myself being anxious
I cry out loud to you so you can remind me of your steadfast love
When the enemy distracts me, I digress and forget to prioritize you.
Forgive me for allowing the devil’s tactics to get the better of me
Help me to always wear the armor you gave me so I can stand firm
You equipped me with it so I can discern the plans of the devil
Renew my mind so I do not get corrupted by the world systems.
Salvation is yours my Lord, come quickly to my aide before I breakdown
The enemy knows how to manipulate me, rescue me from his wicked plans
Lord, do not let the enemy win; grant me a desire to depend on you daily
Replace my fears with total surrender to your will and seek you first always.
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REFLECTION
• How did David acknowledged to God his fears regarding the enemies chasing him?
• Do you discern the enemy’s tactics easily? How can you be more aware of it?
• What do you do when you start to be distracted from focusing on God?
PSALM 2 THE FUTILITY OF DEFYING THE ALMIGHTY GOD ILMA’S POEM DEVOTIONAL
August 2
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Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? 2 The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD and against his Anointed, saying, 3 “Let us burst their bonds apart and cast away their cords from us.” 4 He who sits in the heavens laughs; the Lord holds them in derision.
5 Then he will speak to them in his wrath, and terrify them in his fury, saying,
6 “As for me, I have set my King on Zion, my holy hill.” 7 I will tell of the decree:
The LORD said to me, “You are my Son; today I have begotten you.
8 Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage,
and the ends of the earth your possession.
9 You shall break them with a rod of iron and dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.”
10 Now therefore, O kings, be wise; be warned, O rulers of the earth.
11 Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling.
12 Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and you perish in the way,
for his wrath is quickly kindled. Blessed are all who take refuge in him. – Psalm 2:1-12
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A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
Why would people even attempt to defy a God who is Almighty?
Many rulers who don’t know God think they have a chance to fight him
They come together thinking that the more they are, the better their chances
But he who sits in the heavens laughs at their futile efforts to rebel against him
The Lord will confront them and make them tremble as he manifests his wrath on them
He does what pleases him and can annihilate anyone; it is him who made them all.
When God elects and anoints his rulers, no one can question his choices
He knows what he is doing, he is the potter and we are just vessels
So, let us all serve the Lord with fear and rejoice that he gave us his Son
Seek the kingdom that is eternal and follow the way that leads us to God
You do not want to provoke the Lord to get angry or you will die
Abide only in the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved and have life.
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REFLECTION
• What do you think causes people to defy and rebel against God?
• Why is it futile to fight God? What chances does anyone have if they rebel?
PSALM 1 RIGHT VERSUS WRONG LIVING
August 1
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PSALM 1 THE WAY OF THE RIGHTEOUS AND THE WICKED
Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked,
nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers;
2 but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law, he meditates day and night.
3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season,
and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.
4 The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away.
5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,
nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous;
6 for the LORD knows the way of the righteous,
but the way of the wicked will perish. – Psalm 1:1-6
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RIGHT VERSUS WRONG LIVING by ILMA
Beware, the Lord warns us how we ought to live
We are not to participate in anything that makes us sin
Instead, we ought to ponder on his word day and night
For he delights in those who follow and walk in his light
The upright will be prosperous like a tree by the river
Whose leaves doesn’t scorch despite extreme hot weather
Its roots are anchored on the soil and bears much vegetation
It stands firm and does not shake despite different seasons
Those who choose to go against the Lord wilfully sins
They are like chaff that is blown easily by the wind
In all that they do, they struggle and fail eventually
For they do not heed God’s laws but disobey constantly
They do not care for the righteous or hear God’s word
For they are already judged and stuck in this world.
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REFLECTION
• What picture do we see from this psalm that talks about righteous and wrong living?
• Why do you think this first psalm became the opening song of the whole book of psalms?
• How is this psalm the best navigation to living our lives?
• How is a tree by streams of water like a Christian besides living water?
PSALM 107 THEY CRIED TO THE LORD THEY WERE DELIVERED FROM DISTRESS
Quote
June17
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PSALM 107 THEY CRIED TO THE LORD THEY WERE DELIVERED FROM DISTRESS
21 Let them thank the LORD for his steadfast love,
for his wondrous works to the children of man!
22 And let them offer sacrifices of thanksgiving, and tell of his deeds in songs of joy!
23 Some went down to the sea in ships, doing business on the great waters;
24 they saw the deeds of the LORD, his wondrous works in the deep.
25 For he commanded and raised the stormy wind, which lifted up the waves of the sea.
26 They mounted up to heaven; they went down to the depths;
their courage melted away in their evil plight;
27 they reeled and staggered like drunken men and were at their wits’ end.
28 Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress.
29 He made the storm be still, and the waves of the sea were hushed.
30 Then they were glad that the waters were quiet,
and he brought them to their desired haven.
31 Let them thank the LORD for his steadfast love,
for his wondrous works to the children of man!
32 Let them extol him in the congregation of the people,
and praise him in the assembly of the elders. – Psalm 107:21-32
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A GOD WHO HEARS YOUR CRIES FOR RESCUE by ILMA
Have you ever wondered if the other little gods have such power?
Can they do what our Lord does; he calms storms and it cowers?
Can they bring life to something just be breathing on it?
Will they even be at par with his might and omniscience?
Do not ever doubt the Almighty God who has dominion over all things
He made all creation so he can do with them as he pleases
Our Lord God is steadfast in his love, he never wavers but is firm
Those who fear him and serve him, he will pardon their sins
Go to the Lord and thank him for his faithful love; give him praise
Let the whole congregation exalt him so with the whole human race
Cry out to him and you will never be minimized or taken for granted
He is a just and compassionate God; he knows every detail of your problems.
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REFLECTION
• Why is it a good idea to cry out to God rather than to others about your trials?
PSALM 107 DELIVERANCE TO PRISONERS IN AFFLICTION
June 16
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PSALM 107 DELIVERANCE TO PRISONERS IN AFFLICTION
10 Some sat in darkness and in the shadow of death, prisoners in affliction and in irons,
11 for they had rebelled against the words of God,
and spurned the counsel of the Most High.
12 So he bowed their hearts down with hard labor; they fell down, with none to help.
13 Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress.
14 He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death,
and burst their bonds apart.
15 Let them thank the LORD for his steadfast love,
for his wondrous works to the children of man!
16 For he shatters the doors of bronze and cuts in two the bars of iron.
17 Some were fools through their sinful ways,
and because of their iniquities suffered affliction;
18 they loathed any kind of food, and they drew near to the gates of death.
19 Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress.
20 He sent out his word and healed them, and delivered them from their destruction.
– Psalm 107:10-20
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SUFFERING: AFTERMATH OF SIN by ILMA
The Lord promised deliverance from troubles to all his people
He gives assurance of salvation to those who continue to be faithful
The Lord is steadfast in his love and is full of mercy to his saints
The wicked will suffer as a consequence of sins and disobedience
When God brought you out of darkness into the light
He still gave you a choice to choose Him so you can have life
Some were foolish to follow their cravings and the flesh
They forget to thank the Lord and give him all the praise
Because God is good and loving, he hears the cry of his beloved
There are no guarantees to the unrighteous who continue to be wicked
For the Lord hates evil and he punishes all unrighteousness
To avoid suffering and the pains of hell, seek the path to righteousness.
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REFLECTION
• According to this psalm, how can we avoid suffering? What is its root?
PSALM 107 THE LORD DELIVERS
June 15
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PSALM 107 THE LORD DELIVERS
Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!
2 Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom he has redeemed from trouble
3 and gathered in from the lands, from the east and from the west,
from the north and from the south.
4 Some wandered in desert wastes, finding no way to a city to dwell in;
5 hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted within them.
6 Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress.
7 He led them by a straight way till they reached a city to dwell in.
8 Let them thank the LORD for his steadfast love,
For his wondrous works to the children of man!
9 For he satisfies the longing soul, and the hungry soul he fills with good things.
-Psalm 107:1-9
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WHEN YOU CRY TO THE LORD by ILMA
The Lord is good and steadfast in his love which endures forever
Give him gratitude and praise and you will thrive even as you suffer
Remember how you have wandered in deserts and have no dwellings?
You were hungry and thirsty and your whole being almost fainted.
When you cried out to the Lord during these troubled times, he listened
He delivered you from your distress and led you to a straight way to travel
Thank the Lord for he is the only one who can satisfy your whole being
Never forget all the good deeds and wonders he did especially his blessings.
When you cry out to the Lord, he hears you but often miss his answer
You focus on your expected outcome and miss out on the actual response
Trust in the Lord for he knows what is best for you; he is all powerful
Be grateful that the Lord’s love for you is steadfast and unconditional.
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REFLECTION
• Why is it a good practice to dwell on the wondrous deeds that the Lord has done for all his people when we go through trials and sufferings?
• How does gratitude change our attitudes?
PSALM 50 GOD’S REBUKE TO THE WICKED
June 14
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PSALM 50 GOD’S REBUKE TO THE WICKED
13 Do I eat the flesh of bulls or drink the blood of goats?
14 Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving, and perform your vows to the Most High,
15 and call upon me in the day of trouble I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me.”
16 But to the wicked God says: “What right have you to recite my statutes
or take my covenant on your lips?
17 For you hate discipline, and you cast my words behind you.
18 If you see a thief, you are pleased with him, and you keep company with adulterers.
19 “You give your mouth free rein for evil, and your tongue frames deceit.
20 You sit and speak against your brother; you slander your own mother’s son.
21 These things you have done, and I have been silent;
You thought that I was one like yourself.
But now I rebuke you and lay the charge before you.
22 “Mark this, then, you who forget God,
lest I tear you apart, and there be none to deliver!
23 The one who offers thanksgiving as his sacrifice glorifies me;
to one who orders his way rightly
I will show the salvation of God!” – Psalm 50:13-23
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REPROOF TO THE WICKED by ILMA
To all those who expects something from the Lord and doesn’t serve him
Why do you think you have a share of God’s grace when you choose to sin?
The covenant between God and his people are exclusive to those chosen
The wicked hates to be told what to do and to follow God’s discipline
This is a reproof from the Lord himself to the unbelievers
“If you forget Me who made you, you won’t be delivered”
Salvation is only for those who follow God’s way
If you continue to sin, you are going the opposite path
Be ready for God’s judgment and wrath if you defy Him
While you still can, repent and turn away from all your sins.
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REFLECTION
• Why do you think that the wicked expects from God what he gave his covenant people in this psalm?