February 10
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MAKE A JOYFUL NOISE TO THE LORD
Oh sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done marvelous things!
His right hand and his holy arm have worked salvation for him.
2 The LORD has made known his salvation;
He has revealed his righteousness in the sight of the nations.
3 He has remembered his steadfast love and faithfulness to the house of Israel.
All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.
4 Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth;
Break forth into joyous song and sing praises!
5 Sing praises to the LORD with the lyre, with the lyre and the sound of melody!
6 With trumpets and the sound of the horn
Make a joyful noise before the King, the LORD!
7 Let the sea roar, and all that fills it; the world and those who dwell in it!
8 Let the rivers clap their hands; let the hills sing for joy together
9 Before the LORD, for he comes to judge the earth.
He will judge the world with righteousness, and the peoples with equity. – Psalm 98:1-9
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This psalm is a celebration of God’s marvelous deeds for his people. This psalm reminds me of New Year’s celebration in my country of origin, the Philippines. Filipinos celebrate the coming of the year with a big bang, loud firecrackers and fireworks that probably lasts for a minimum of an hour and a maximum of four hours. Why can’t we do that for God who made all things? This psalm shouts and gives praises to the Lord who granted deliverance for the house of Israel. It also tells the whole world that God can do the same for all nations and it invites all people to praise the Lord.
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ADORATION: Shout and make noises to rejoice because the Lord is good. Praise him forever! He delivers his people from all evil and brings peace and joy to all mankind.
CONFESSION: Forgive me Lord when I am not expressing gratitude that declares your love.
THANKSGIVING: Thank you for being faithful and a promise keeper.
SUPPLICATION: May all people declare and shout out loud their praises to the Lord.
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REFLECTION
• Why is rejoicing and making noises to the Lord something all Christians must do?
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THE STEADFAST LOVE OF GOD ENDURES Poem Devotional
February 9
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THE STEADFAST LOVE OF GOD ENDURES
Why do you boast of evil, O mighty man?
The steadfast love of God endures all the day.
2 Your tongue plots destruction, like a sharp razor, you worker of deceit.
3 You love evil more than good, and lying more than speaking what is right.
4 You love all words that devour, O deceitful tongue.
5 But God will break you down forever; he will snatch and tear you from your tent;
He will uproot you from the land of the living.
6 The righteous shall see and fear, and shall laugh at him, saying,
7 “See the man who would not make God his refuge,
But trusted in the abundance of his riches
And sought refuge in his own destruction!”
8 But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God.
I trust in the steadfast love of God forever and ever.
9 I will thank you forever, because you have done it.
I will wait for your name, for it is good, in the presence of the godly. – Psalm 52:1-9
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This psalm is one of the contemplative poems of David. He wrote this as he was fleeing from Saul who wanted him killed (1 Sam 21 and 22). David tried to seek help from the priest Ahimelech and when Saul heard about the help he got from the priest, his whole family and the other priests, 85 of them were all killed. It was Saul’s chief Doeg, who executed the whole priestly clan. It is amazing to see David trust the Lord despite the knowledge of the evil things that Saul and Doeg have done. He still relied in the Lord. He knows that God is steadfast in his love and that he will deliver him from all wickedness.
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ADORATION: Praise the Lord for his steadfast love that endures forever.
CONFESSION: Forgive me when I don’t totally trust in your unwavering love, O Lord.
THANKSGIVING: I am grateful for the stability I am given because of your faithfulness.
SUPPLICATION: May all believers recognize and realize that without your relentless love, we are nothing. May their faith grow and may they only rely on your steadfast love.
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REFLECTION
• How can David still be full of hope despite the wickedness of his enemies?
GOD IS KING OVER ALL THE EARTH Poem Devotional
GOD IS KING OVER ALL THE EARTH
Clap your hands, all peoples! Shout to God with loud songs of joy!
2 For the LORD, the Most High, is to be feared, a great king over all the earth.
3 He subdued peoples under us, and nations under our feet.
4 He chose our heritage for us, the pride of Jacob whom he loves.
5 God has gone up with a shout, the LORD with the sound of a trumpet.
6 Sing praises to God, sing praises! Sing praises to our King, sing praises!
7 For God is the King of all the earth; sing praises with a psalm
8 God reigns over the nations; God sits on his holy throne.
9 The princes of the peoples gather as the people of the God of Abraham.
For the shields of the earth belong to God; he is highly exalted! – Psalm 47:1-9
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The ESV bible study states that this psalm celebrates God’s rule over all the earth. The promises to Abraham (47:9) that all people will be blessed in him (Gen 12:3), are founded on the fact that there’s only one true God. All mankind owes him love and loyalty.
How often do people show love and allegiance to God in this very corrupt world we live in? We could learn from the Israelites how they revel at the God who is king over all the earth. It is infectious how they revere, love and glorify the one true God of all creation.
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ADORATION: Praise the King over all the earth. You are mighty, majestic and unparalleled. We clap our hands and shout to God with loud songs of joy.
CONFESSION: Forgive us when we get distracted with the busy-ness and craziness of this world and forget that you are in control and that you are to be exalted.
THANKSGIVING: Thank you for all the unconditional love you give to undeserving people like us.
SUPPLICATION: May you be known by the whole humanity! May they see you as the king over all the earth and bow down to you alone.
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REFLECTION
• If God is king over all the earth, how come even those who commit to Christ forget to celebrate this truth?
• How would you act when you are be face to face with the God who created all things? What would you do and what would be your posture?
THE LORD IS MY STRENGTH AND SKILLS Poem Devotional
February 7
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THE LORD IS MY STRENGTH AND SKILLS
To you, O LORD, I call; my rock, be not deaf to me,
Lest, if you be silent to me, I become like those who go down to the pit.
2 Hear the voice of my pleas for mercy, when I cry to you for help,
When I lift up my hands toward your most holy sanctuary.
3 Do not drag me off with the wicked, with the workers of evil,
Who speak peace with their neighbors while evil is in their hearts.
4 Give to them according to their work and according to the evil of their deeds;
Give to them according to the work of their hands; render them their due reward.
5 Because they do not regard the works of the LORD or the work of his hands,
He will tear them down and build them up no more.
6 Blessed be the LORD! For he has heard the voice of my pleas for mercy.
7 The LORD is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped;
My heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him.
8 The LORD is the strength of his people; he is the saving refuge of his anointed.
9 Oh, save your people and bless your heritage!
Be their shepherd and carry them forever. – Psalm 28:1-9
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This is a psalm of lament. The pit (verse 1) probably refers to a big threat that will bring them down. Trust in the Lord is the main theme of this psalm. It describes that in the most dangerous situation, they call on the Lord and lift up their hands towards his holy sanctuary, waiting on the Lord’s response. The people know in their hearts that the source of their strength and skills comes only from the Lord. Their dependence on God is so amazing and their declaration that God is their rock is astounding.
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ADORATION: Lord, you are the rock where I can find stability and strength. Praise to you!
CONFESSION: Forgive me when I forget to ask for help and strength from you.
THANKSGIVING: Thank you for granting us strength and skills to overcome evil.
SUPPLICATION: May all those who love you be renewed and strengthened.
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REFLECTION
• How can the attitude of total dependence on God bring about strength?
• Why do you think God’s people trusts God so much as reflected in this psalm?
HOW MAJESTIC IS YOUR NAME Poem Devotional
February 5
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HOW MAJESTIC IS YOUR NAME
O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!
You have set your glory above the heavens.2Out of the mouth of babies and infants,
You have established strength because of your foes, to still the enemy and the avenger.
3 When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers,
The moon and the stars, which you have set in place,
4 What is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him?
5 Yet you have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings
And crowned him with glory and honor.
6 You have given him dominion over the works of your hands;
You have put all things under his feet, 7 all sheep and oxen,
And also the beasts of the field, 8 the birds of the heavens, and the fish of the sea,
Whatever passes along the paths of the seas. 9 O LORD, our Lord,
How majestic is your name in all the earth! – Psalm 8:1-9
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This psalm is a hymn of praise of the Israelites to their glorious and majestic God. “Majestic “is defined as possessing or exhibiting dignity; of august dignity, stateliness, or imposing grandeur; lofty; noble; grand. That is the perfect description of the Lord’s name. What is interesting in this psalm is how it alludes to Genesis 1 and 2, presenting mankind as the peak of God’s creation, rulers over all animal world and object of God’s attention. According to the ESV bible study, verse 2 reminds us of Genesis 3 and God’s plan for fallen mankind, Israel was to the be firstfruits of restored humanity and explains why Hebrews 2:6-8 quotes Psalms 8:4-6:Jesus as the Davidic king, is the ideal Israelite, and thus the Ideal human being. He is crowned with glory after his suffering on behalf of mankind.
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ADORATION: Praise your majestic name, O Lord our Savior. You are full of splendor.
CONFESSION: Forgive me when I forget to rely on your majestic name.
THANKSGIVING: Thank you for choosing mankind to be the object of your affection.
SUPPLICATION: May all man fall on their knees to glorify your majestic name forever.
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REFLECTION
• Why do you think God would choose mankind to reflect his majesty?
• Why do humans forget to praise and give glory to God’s majestic name?
GIVE THANKS TO THE LORD WITH ALL YOUR HEART Poem Devotional
February 4
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GIVE THANKS TO THE LORD WITH ALL YOUR HEART
I give you thanks, O LORD, with my whole heart;
Before the gods I sing your praise; 2 I bow down toward your holy temple
And give thanks to your name for your steadfast love and your faithfulness,
For you have exalted above all things your name and your word.
3 On the day I called, you answered me; my strength of soul you increased.
4 All the kings of the earth shall give you thanks, O LORD,
For they have heard the words of your mouth,
5 And they shall sing of the ways of the LORD, for great is the glory of the LORD.
6 For though the LORD is high, he regards the lowly, but the haughty he knows from afar.
7 Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life;
You stretch out your hand against the wrath of my enemies,
And your right hand delivers me.8 The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me;
Your steadfast love, O LORD, endures forever.
Do not forsake the work of your hands. – Psalm 138:1-8
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Giving thanks to the Lord with all our hearts can be very challenging in our busy world today where we live very comfortable lives. This psalm is a reminder to bow down to a faithful God who is always there especially manifested in his name and in his word. Without praising his name and letting the word permeate our lives, we can’t have that grateful attitude that sings praise to him wholeheartedly.
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ADORATION: Praise your name forever, my Lord and my God.
CONFESSION: Forgive me whenever I don’t wholeheartedly worship you with all my heart, mind, soul and might.
THANKSGIVING: Thank you for all your unconditional love and provision for all my needs.
SUPPLICATION: May all men recognize the One true God in you, Lord Jesus Christ.
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REFLECTION
• Why do you think gratefulness is an act of the heart and not of the mind?
• Can we be grateful without manifesting it in words and action? Will that bless the giver?
• What are you grateful today that God has clearly given you?
MY SOUL WAITS FOR THE LORD Poem Devotional
February 3
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MY SOUL WAITS FOR THE LORD
Out of the depths I cry to you, O LORD! 2O Lord, hear my voice!
Let your ears be attentive to the voice of my pleas for mercy!
3 If you, O LORD, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand?
4 But with you there is forgiveness, that you may be feared.
5 I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in his word I hope;
6 My soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen for the morning,
More than watchmen for the morning.7 O Israel, hope in the LORD!
For with the LORD there is steadfast love, and with him is plentiful redemption.
8 And he will redeem Israel from all his iniquities. – Psalm 130:1-8
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This psalm is an individual lament, expressing repentance and trust in God’s mercy. The psalmist reaches out from the depth of his agony. The plea for God to hear him is so marked in this cry for forgiveness. He recognizes his sinfulness and magnifies at how God could stand such sins he has committed, but also sees hope because he knows how great is God’s faithfulness and mercy. He waits on the Lord’s forgiveness after the acknowledgement of his sins with an expectancy that is such a picture of hope and new life.
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ADORATION: You are the Maker of all things. Mercy and grace abound in you and you give it so generously to all your creation. Praise the Lord, he is all good and faithful.
CONFESSION: Forgive me when I forget to magnify at the generosity of your heart and when I forget to bow down on my knees to ask forgiveness and depend on you.
THANKSGIVING: I am grateful for all that you are and all that you grant us. You fulfill all my needs.
SUPPLICATION: May all believers have a repentant heart and always hopefully wait on the Lord’s mercy whenever they recognize their sins.
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REFLECTION
• How can we develop a heart that cries to God especially when we realize our sinfulness and pride?
• How is righteous lamenting different from condemning oneself when we are convicted of sins?
THEY HAVE AFFLICTED ME FROM MY YOUTH Poem Devotional
February 2
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THEY HAVE AFFLICTED ME FROM MY YOUTH
“Greatly have they afflicted me from my youth”—let Israel now say—
2 “Greatly have they afflicted me from my youth, yet they have not prevailed against me.
3 The plowers plowed upon my back; they made long their furrows.”
4 The LORD is righteous; he has cut the cords of the wicked.
5 May all who hate Zion be put to shame and turned backward!
6 Let them be like the grass on the housetops, which withers before it grows up,
7 With which the reaper does not fill his hand
Nor the binder of sheaves his arms,8 nor do those who pass by say,
“The blessing of the LORD be upon you!
We bless you in the name of the LORD!” – Psalm 129:1-8
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This psalm is a song of ascents or a pilgrim song which reflects what God’s people have endured and how God has sustained them. Verse 2 “afflicted me from my youth” indicates the longsuffering and “yet they have not prevailed against me” shows that because God has been faithful to walk alongside with them, they have endured. The psalm shows the trust that the Israelites have for the Lord, knowing that he will defend them from all those who hate them or plan evil against them. Because of their dependence and faith on the Lord, we can see how they can ask the Lord such protection and know in their hearts that they will be heard and that they will be blessed just like how a child believes that their own parents would grant them their requests.
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ADORATION: Lord, you are magnificently omniscient and omnipotent. You are a great Father to all your children, providing and protecting all your loved ones.
CONFESSION: Forgive me when I do not endure the trials that come my way and when I become proud and forget that it is you who defends me.
THANKSGIVING: Thank you for all the opportunities you give me to constantly rely on you.
SUPPLICATION: May all your people bear all their trials and sufferings knowing that you have them covered and that you are in control. May we learn to let go of taking things into our own hands.
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REFLECTION
• How can we deepen our dependency on God in this very “self” focused world?
OUR HELP IS IN THE NAME OF THE LORD Poem Devotional
February 1
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OUR HELP IS IN THE NAME OF THE LORD
If it had not been the LORD who was on our side-let Israel now say-
2 If it had not been the LORD who was on our side when people rose up against us,
3Then they would have swallowed us up alive, when their anger was kindled against us;
4 Then the flood would have swept us away the torrent would have gone over us;
5 Then over us would have gone the raging waters.
6 Blessed be the LORD, who has not given us as prey to their teeth!
7 We have escaped like a bird from the snare of the fowlers;
The snare is broken, and we have escaped!
8 Our help is in the name of the LORD, who made heaven and earth.
-Psalm 124:1-8
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This song of ascents written by David points to how God has delivered them faithfully from all the dangers and enemies that they were up against. We hear David’s gratitude and humility in this psalm as he always points to the Lord whenever they face threats, that if it had not been for the Lord, they would have never made it. He praises and acknowledges God for all the protection and provision He has given them. How many of us would easily attribute to God all the good things we have especially when we just overcome or went through danger or trials?
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ADORATION: Praise you Lord for your generous and unfailing love. You are the only One who can deliver us from any evil. Bless you Lord, for your protection and love for us.
CONFESSION: Grant me pardon whenever I don’t point to your provision and protection and take credit instead for overcoming something that was difficult.
THANKSGIVING: Thank you for your unconditional love that you extend help and provision even though at times I don’t deserve it.
SUPPLICATION: May all believers have a heart like David, who never forgets the hierarchy of God in their lives. May we never forget that all good things come from God.
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REFLECTION
• What do we need to do so we can always point to the Lord when we are delivered from a difficult situation?
• Why is gratitude and humility essential in a believer’s life?
MY HELP COMES FROM THE LORD Poem Devotional
January 31
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MY HELP COMES FROM THE LORD
I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come?
2 My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth.
3 He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber.
4 Behold, he who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.
5 The LORD is your keeper; the LORD is your shade on your right hand.
6 The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night.
7 The LORD will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life.
8 The LORD will keep your going out and your coming in
From this time forth and forevermore. -Psalm 121:1-8
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This psalm is a confidence song of those who make the pilgrim to Jerusalem, the top of the hill. It keeps the pilgrim encouraged to keep on looking at the top of the hill instead of focusing on the other elements of the travel that will keep them distracted to finish the journey. It is the same with our walk with Jesus. If we keep our eyes on Christ, we will receive the help we need and the sustenance to endure. God doesn’t sleep, He watches over us and keeps us away from all the distractions in life if we abide in him. He wants us to finish the race and hand us the reward at the end.
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ADORATION: Praise you O my God who never slumbers but always keeps watch on his people. You grant us all the love and protection we need. We adore you and bless you.
CONFESSION: Whenever I allow myself to be distracted by worldly stuff, forgive me Lord. I repent of idols that I unknowingly pay attention. Forgive me when I remove my eyes on you.
THANKSGIVING: Thank you for your love and unfailing mercy and grace.
SUPPLICATION: May all believers remember to constantly fix their eyes on you. May all idols be smashed so that there will be no other distractions that hinders our intimacy with you, my Lord and my God.
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REFLECTION
• How can we constantly keep our eyes on the Lord in this very busy and chaotic world?
• What are the distractions you struggle with in your daily life?