Knowing God In Psalm 73

Strength of My Heart (Mar 22)

In Psalms 73 to 77 by Asaph,
those who ignore God will find
their path slippery and their
prosperity short-lived (Ps 73, 75).
By contrast, those who order their
lives according to God’s Word will
discover hope in the midst of havoc
(Ps 74) and resources to face every
situation in life victoriously (P76-77).

Lord, U are Our Strength & Shelter:
Whom have I in heaven but You?
I desire You more than anything
on earth. My health may fail and
my spirit may grow weak, but God
remains the Strength of My Heart;
He is mine forever (Ps 73:25-26).
But as for me, how good it is to
Be Near God! I have made the
Sovereign Lord my Shelter, and
I will tell everyone about the
wonderful things You do (v28).

Lord, I want to experience You in
fresh ways so that I can truly say
I desire You more than anything.
You Lord and You alone are
the Strength of My Heart. And I
am thankful You are mine forever.
Nothing can separate me from
Your love. Open my eyes Lord
and grant me vision to see
Your love for me. In Jesus’ name.

Lord, You are the Strength of my
heart, and deep inside I know
I can rely on You in any situation.
Although I may face threats to my
health, finance, safety in this world,
but You are the Strength of my life.
O Sovereign Lord, Be Near Me!
Help me to abide in You and
to stay anchored in You. Amen.

Lord, by faith I make U my Shelter.
I also accept Your Presence and
receive all other blessings U offer.
Grow my faith to be as big
as the gifts You want to give.
And having experienced You,
I will share and testify what
wonderful things You did for me.
I love and adore You, for You are
more precious than anything. Amen

Thought for the Week: Psalm 62

God Our Refuge

Backgrounder: Psalms 60, 61,
63-65 are laments. Watch out
for the cry the “O God” in which
the psalmist stands upon the
promises of God in the face of
defeat, discouragement & deceit.
Through it all the psalmist finds
that God is a praise-worthy
refuge (Psalm 62, 66).

Praise be to God Our Refuge:
My soul wait silently for God,
for my expectation is from Him.
He only is my rock and my
salvation; He is my defense;
I shall not be moved. Trust
in Him at all times, you people;
pour out your hearts to Him,
for God (Elohim) is our refuge
(Machase Lanu) – Psa 62:5-8.

Lord, You are our refuge and
You are absolutely trustworthy.
Thank You for shielding us as
we face life’s troubles and for
going through them with us.
And we can rise and stand
upright despite what life may
send us for You are our refuge.
We praise You in Jesus’ name.

Elohim Machase Lanu, I don’t
always run to You when I should,
especially when I feel vulnerable.
I turn instead to things I can see to
help me; or to things that distract
me rather than going to You.
Forgive me Lord for not always
acknowledging You as my
strong tower & refuge. Amen.

Lord, guard my life and guide me
away from dangerous situations.
But You’ve warned us that in this
life we will face trials, so I know
sometimes I will be in great need.
Do something to get my attention
to remind me to look to You
and from looking to someone
other than You to be my refuge.
In Jesus’ mighty name, Amen.

Meditating on Acts 21-23 (Mar 21)

Seeking & Obeying the Lord’s Will

Though Paul has taken his last
missionary journey, his missionary
career is far from over. God
now promotes him from being
a missionary to the people to
being a missionary to the palace.
Paul travels to Jerusalem,
prepared for imprisonments and
even martyrdom. Once before
the crowd and again before the
council, Paul attempts to defend
himself by relating his personal
testimony. Narrowly averting an
assassination plot, he awaits his
opportunity to stand trial for the
hope and resurrection of the dead.

Lord, we will Seek Your Will:
Landing at Tyre & finding disciples
we stayed there 7 days. They
told Paul not to go to Jerusalem.
But when our time was up, we
left and continued on our way.
All the disciples & their wives and
children accompanied us out of
the city, and there on the beach
we Knelt To Pray (Acts 21:3-5).
(Agaves)…took Paul’s belt & bound
his own feet and hands with it. Then
he said: The Holy Spirit declares:
So shall the owner of this belt be bound by the Jewish leaders and
turned over to the Gentiles (v11).
When it was clear that we couldn’t
persuade (Paul), we gave up and
said: The Lord’s will be done (v14).

Lord, prayer is the most powerful
tool we have as believers for
it’s our direct link to You God.
Help us not neglect it when we part
from loved ones, close friends and
co-labourers to boost relationships.
Help me remember when I am with
people who are leaving on a journey
that I may pray for their safety and
guidance as they go about their
biz or ministry. And bring them back
in koinonia fellowship again. Amen.

Lord Holy Spirit, when You
give me a glimpse of Your will,
help me to know how to apply it.
When I have only partial guidance
from You Lord, give me the
wisdom for the details. And
give me the needed strength
to face whatever is in my path.
In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

Lord, we realise that though You
surround us with Spirit-inspired
advisors, there will be times
when we have to stand alone.
Give me the discernment to know
when You are speaking through
Your people and when You
are speaking apart from them.
Give me the humility to follow
advice and the wisdom & resolve
to know when to reject it. Amen.

Meditating on Acts 19-20 (Mar 20)

Lessons from Paul’s Third Journey

A short time after Paul returns
from his second journey,
it is time to leave on the third!
At Ephesus Paul’s gospel message
produces some of the greatest
response and sharpest opposition
– of any of the places he visits.
Leaving the city in an uproar,
Paul later returns to deliver
a tearful farewell at Miletus.
From this point on, He is determined
to visit Jerusalem knowing full well
the reception awaits him there.

Lord, we Seek to Do Your Will:
(Paul declared): Now I am bound
by the Spirit to go to Jerusalem.
I don’t know what awaits me,
except that the Holy Spirit tells
me in city after city that jail and
suffering lie ahead (Acts 20:22-23).
My life is worth nothing to me
unless I use it for finishing the
work assigned me by the Lord
Jesus – the work of telling others
the Good News about the
wonderful grace of God (v24).
I have shown you that in every
way… that you must support
the weak. And remember the
words of the Lord Jesus, that
He said: It is more blessed
to give than to receive (v35).

Spirit of truth, counsel and of power,
I confess of being tired of dead
ends and of sinful attractions.
I purpose to stay bound to You and
to put You Lord first & foremost.
Lead me Lord straight into God’s
incomparably generous plan
for my life. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Lord Jesus, we noted that
Paul a previous Christian killer
says his life purpose was to share
the Good News of God’s grace.
Once we sinners have a personal
encounter with You Jesus, we will
want to share our joys with others.
Give me Lord what You are
requiring of me; and shore me
up with more of You, so that
feeling of inadequacy will not
overtake me. In Jesus’ name.

Lord Jesus, we purpose to be
more like Paul who showed by
his hard work to help the weak.
Help me Lord to have regard
for those who are struggling.
And I ask that You will provide
for and care for them. Amen.

Reflection on Psalms Book 2 (Mar 19)

Knowing God thru His Names

The purpose of Psalms is to provide
poetry for the expression of praise,
worship and confession to God.
Psalms Book 2 is similar to Exodus
as many of these psalms describe
Israel as ruined and then recovered.
This week we understand God better
thru His revelation of names, mostly
related to His ability to meet needs.
On Monday, we learn from
Ps 59 about the God of Mercy.
On Tuesday, we learn from Ps 59
about God of Lovingkindness.
On Wednesday, we learn from
Ps 62 about God Our Refuge.
On Thursday, we learn from
Psalm 68 about Father AB.
On Friday, we learn from
Ps 68 about God My King.
Let us humble ourselves and pray
and seek His face…In Jesus’ name.

Knowing God In Psalm 68

God My King (March 19)

David and Solomon shows us
just how praiseworthy is the great
God of Israel. God is worthy of
praise for His judgment (Ps 67),
His compassion and provision (68),
His attentiveness to the cry of
His children (69-70), His strength
on behalf of the weak (71) and
sovereign over the nations (72).

Praise be to Eli Maelekhi:
Blessed be the Lord,
who daily loads us with benefits,
the God of our salvation…
They have seen Your procession,
O God; the procession of my God
my King (Eli Maelekhi) into
the sanctuary (Psalm 68:19, 24).
Blessed God in the congregations…
Your God has commanded your strength, strengthen O God
what You have done for us (v26,28)

Lord Eli Maelekhi, we humbly bow
before You in praise and honour
for You are our God and King
and Your kingdom rules over all.
Thank You for choosing me
as an heir to Your kingdom,
for making me a child of the King.
And by virtue of my relationship
with You thru Jesus Christ, I am
entitled to all spiritual blessings
You’ve for me in Yr kingdom. Amen

Lord, I ask for Your forgiveness
for not always giving You the
honour due to You as King.
Forgive me for the many times
I’ve pressed my own agenda
rather than advancing Your
kingdom agenda. And forgive
me for not using Your Word as
a guide in every decision I make.

Lord Eli Maelekhi, we ask You
to give us a kingdom mindset.
Help us to advance Your
kingdom agenda on earth.
Give us wisdom to understand
what it really means to pray
‘thy kingdom come’
and ‘thy will be done’.
And equip us to serve You and
Your kingdom in the way You
desire & deserve. In Jesus’ name.

Knowing God In Psalm 68

Father (March 18)

David and Solomon shows us
just how praiseworthy is the great
God of Israel. God is worthy of
praise for His judgment (Ps 67),
His compassion and provision (68),
His attentiveness to the cry of
His children (69-70), His strength
on behalf of the weak (71) and
sovereign over the nations (72).

All Praise be to AB:
Sing to God, sing praises
to His name: extol Him…
A father (Ab) of the fatherless
and a defender of widows,
is God in His holy habitation.
God sets the solitary in families;
He brings out those who
are bound into prosperity…
You O God sent a plentiful rain,
when it was weary. You O God
provided from Your goodness
for the poor (Psa 68:4-6, 9-10).

Ab, You’re the defender of those
in need. You bring comfort and
guidance to those who seek
Your face. Thank You Father
for not leaving me as an orphan.
Thank You for Your goodness.
Thank You that when I’m afraid
and call Your name Ab Father,
You hear and will hold my cares
in Your hands. In Jesus’ name.

Ab, how often have I neglected
to receive the comfort and care
You have for me as my Father
because I forget that You are there.
And sometimes that makes me
feel as if You are also distant.
Yet the name Ab tells me
that You are not distant at all.
In fact, You are as close to me
as a father is to his child. Amen.

Father God, I want to know
You more; and I want to
experience Your presence more.
I want to live each day in
the peace that comes from
trusting in You as my Father.
I want to seek Your wisdom
in decisions. And when I am
empty, fill me with Your abiding
fatherly care. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Knowing God In Psalm 62

God Our Refuge (March 17)

Backgrounder: Psalms 60, 61,
63-65 are laments. Watch out
for the cry the “O God” in which
the psalmist stands upon the
promises of God in the face of
defeat, discouragement & deceit.
Through it all the psalmist finds
that God is a praise-worthy
refuge (Psalm 62, 66).

Praise be to God Our Refuge:
My soul wait silently for God,
for my expectation is from Him.
He only is my rock and my
salvation; He is my defense;
I shall not be moved. Trust
in Him at all times, you people;
pour out your hearts to Him,
for God (Elohim) is our refuge
(Machase Lanu) – Psa 62:5-8.

Lord, You are our refuge and
You are absolutely trustworthy.
Thank You for shielding us as
we face life’s troubles and for
going through them with us.
And we can rise and stand
upright despite what life may
send us for You are our refuge.
We praise You in Jesus’ name.

Elohim Machase Lanu, I don’t
always run to You when I should,
especially when I feel vulnerable.
I turn instead to things I can see to
help me; or to things that distract
me rather than going to You.
Forgive me Lord for not always
acknowledging You as my
strong tower & refuge. Amen.

Lord, guard my life and guide me
away from dangerous situations.
But You’ve warned us that in this
life we will face trials, so I know
sometimes I will be in great need.
Do something to get my attention
to remind me to look to You
and from looking to someone
other than You to be my refuge.
In Jesus’ mighty name, Amen.

Knowing God In Psalm 59

God of Lovingkindness (Mar 16)

Psalms 55-59 capture the emotions
of King David during some of his
most difficult days. Notice David
frank petitions and confident trust
in God in the wake of being betrayed
(Ps 55), broken-hearted (Ps 56)
and pursued (Ps 57 and Ps 59).
Through it all David knows there
is a reward for the righteous and
God judges in the earth (Ps 58).

Praise be to Elohim Chasdi:
Deliver me from my enemies,
O my God; defend me from
those who rise up against me…
(And) I will sing of Your power;
Yes, I will sing of Your mercy.
For You have been my defense
and refuge in the day of trouble.
O my strength, I will sing praise
to You; for God is my stronghold,
the God (Elohim) who shows
me lovingkindness (Chasdi)
(Psalm 59:1 & 16-17).

Lord Elohim Chasdi, we praise You
for You are truly gracious and abounding in lovingkindness.
As far as east is from the west,
this is how far You have removed
our transgressions from us.
And as a father has compassion
on his children, so You have
compassion on those who fear You.
Thank You Lord for Your acts of
lovingkindness. In Jesus’ name.

Lord, I confess I don’t always
look to You as my stronghold
but rather attempt to solve
problems on my own strength.
Forgive me for neglecting
to make You the focal point
point when I am facing trials.
Forgive me for turning to other
means for comfort instead of
turning to You for strength and
Your lovingkindness. Amen.

Elohim Chasdi, give me a deeper
experience of Your goodness,
kindness and faithfulness.
And then in fully knowing You,
help me express Your goodness,
kindness & faithfulness to others.
As You minister to others thru me,
fill me up with the fullness of
Your lovingkindness each day.
In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

Knowing God In Psalm 59

God of Mercy (March 15)

Psalms 55-59 capture the emotions
of King David during some of his
most difficult days. Notice David
frank petitions and confident trust
in God in the wake of being betrayed
(Ps 55), broken-hearted (Ps 56)
and pursued (Ps 57 and Ps 59).
Through it all David knows there
is a reward for the righteous and
God judges in the earth (Ps 58:11).

Praise be to Elohe Chaseddi:
Deliver me from my enemies,
O my God; defend me from
those who rise up against me.
Deliver me from the workers
of iniquity, and save me from
bloodthirsty men (Ps 59:1-2).
I will wait for You, O my Strength;
for God is my defense. My God
of mercy (Elohe Chaseddi)
will meet me; God will let me look
triumphantly upon my foes (v9-10)

Lord Chaseddi, Thank U in Yr loving
kindness, You have shown mercy.
In Your mercy, You have withdrawn
Yr fury & turned from burning anger.
Thank You Lord for forgiving my
iniquity & covering all of our sins.
Thank You for showing us mercy
and empowering us turn from folly.
Surely Lord Your mercy is near
to those who fear You. Amen.

Lord Chaseddi, I confess sometimes
of taking too lightly of Your Mercy.
Because of Your Mercy, I have been
given 2nd chance after 2nd chance.
You have shown me forgiveness
and withheld full consequences
that my actions would deserve.
Forgive me for not remembering
what You spared me from and for
not giving full devotion of my heart.

Lord Chaseddi, in Your Mercy
and compassion, You have given
us great and powerful promises.
In Your mercy, equips us to live in
peace, untroubled by fear of harm.
Through the gift of Your mercy,
grant us peace of mind and heart
so that we will not be troubled
or afraid. In Jesus’ name, Amen.