Monday 8 September 2008<span style="mso-spacerun:
yes"> </span><!--StartFragment-->
<p class="MsoNormal">DAILY LECTIONARY</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Email Evangelism, forward to a friend: http://www.dailylectionary.org</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">******************************************************************</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Job 32:1-10,19-33:1,19-28</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">So these three men ceased to answer Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes. Then Elihu son of Barachel the Buzite, of the family of Ram, became angry. He was angry at Job because he justified himself rather than God; he was angry also at Job’s three friends because they had found no answer, though they had declared Job to be in the wrong.* Now Elihu had waited to speak to Job, because they were older than he. But when Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouths of these three men, he became angry.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Elihu son of Barachel the Buzite answered:</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">‘I am young in years,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and you are aged;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">therefore I was timid and afraid</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>to declare my opinion to you.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I said, “Let days speak,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and many years teach wisdom.”</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">But truly it is the spirit in a mortal,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>the breath of the Almighty,* that makes for understanding.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">It is not the old* that are wise,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>nor the aged that understand what is right.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Therefore I say, “Listen to me;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>let me also declare my opinion.”</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">My heart is indeed like wine that has no vent;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>like new wineskins, it is ready to burst.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I must speak, so that I may find relief;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I must open my lips and answer.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I will not show partiality to any person</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>or use flattery towards anyone.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For I do not know how to flatter—</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>or my Maker would soon put an end to me!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">‘But now, hear my speech, O Job,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and listen to all my words.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">They are also chastened with pain upon their beds,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and with continual strife in their bones,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">so that their lives loathe bread,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and their appetites dainty food.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Their flesh is so wasted away that it cannot be seen;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and their bones, once invisible, now stick out.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Their souls draw near the Pit,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and their lives to those who bring death.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Then, if there should be for one of them an angel,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>a mediator, one of a thousand,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>one who declares a person upright,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">and he is gracious to that person, and says,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>“Deliver him from going down into the Pit;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I have found a ransom;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">let his flesh become fresh with youth;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>let him return to the days of his youthful vigour”;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">then he prays to God, and is accepted by him,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>he comes into his presence with joy,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">and God* repays him for his righteousness.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>That person sings to others and says,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">“I sinned, and perverted what was right,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and it was not paid back to me.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">He has redeemed my soul from going down to the Pit,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and my life shall see the light.”</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">******************************************************************</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Acts 13:44-52</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The next sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord.* But when the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy; and blaspheming, they contradicted what was spoken by Paul. Then both Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly, saying, ‘It was necessary that the word of God should be spoken first to you. Since you reject it and judge yourselves to be unworthy of eternal life, we are now turning to the Gentiles. For so the Lord has commanded us, saying,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">“I have set you to be a light for the Gentiles,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>so that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.” ’</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and praised the word of the Lord; and as many as had been destined for eternal life became believers. Thus the word of the Lord spread throughout the region. But the Jews incited the devout women of high standing and the leading men of the city, and stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and drove them out of their region. So they shook the dust off their feet in protest against them, and went to Iconium. And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">******************************************************************</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">John 10:19-30</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Again the Jews were divided because of these words. Many of them were saying, ‘He has a demon and is out of his mind. Why listen to him?’ Others were saying, ‘These are not the words of one who has a demon. Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?’</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>At that time the festival of the Dedication took place in Jerusalem. It was winter, and Jesus was walking in the temple, in the portico of Solomon. So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, ‘How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah,* tell us plainly.’ Jesus answered, ‘I have told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father’s name testify to me; but you do not believe, because you do not belong to my sheep. My sheep hear my voice. I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one will snatch them out of my hand. What my Father has given me is greater than all else, and no one can snatch it out of the Father’s hand.* The Father and I are one.’</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun:
yes"> </span>******************************************************************</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Morning Psalms:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Psalm 41, 52</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Psalm 41</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Happy are those who consider the poor;*</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>the Lord delivers them in the day of trouble.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Lord protects them and keeps them alive;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>they are called happy in the land.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>You do not give them up to the will of their enemies.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Lord sustains them on their sickbed;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>in their illness you heal all their infirmities.*</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">As for me, I said, ‘O Lord, be gracious to me;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>heal me, for I have sinned against you.’</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">My enemies wonder in malice</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>when I will die, and my name perish.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">And when they come to see me, they utter empty words,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>while their hearts gather mischief;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>when they go out, they tell it abroad.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">All who hate me whisper together about me;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>they imagine the worst for me.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">They think that a deadly thing has fastened on me,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>that I will not rise again from where I lie.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Even my bosom friend in whom I trusted,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>who ate of my bread, has lifted the heel against me.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">But you, O Lord, be gracious to me,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and raise me up, that I may repay them.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">By this I know that you are pleased with me;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>because my enemy has not triumphed over me.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">But you have upheld me because of my integrity,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and set me in your presence for ever.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>from everlasting to everlasting.Amen and Amen.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Psalm 52</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Why do you boast, O mighty one,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>of mischief done against the godly?*</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>All day long you are plotting destruction.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Your tongue is like a sharp razor,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>you worker of treachery.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">You love evil more than good,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and lying more than speaking the truth.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun:
yes"> </span>Selah</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">You love all words that devour,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>O deceitful tongue.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">But God will break you down for ever;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>he will snatch and tear you from your tent;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>he will uproot you from the land of the living.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun:
yes"> </span>Selah</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The righteous will see, and fear,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and will laugh at the evildoer,* saying,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">‘See the one who would not take</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>refuge in God,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">but trusted in abundant riches,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and sought refuge in wealth!’*</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">But I am like a green olive tree</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>in the house of God.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I trust in the steadfast love of God</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>for ever and ever.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I will thank you for ever,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>because of what you have done.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In the presence of the faithful</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I will proclaim* your name, for it is good.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">******************************************************************</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Evening Psalms:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Psalm 44</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Psalm 44</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We have heard with our ears, O God,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>our ancestors have told us,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">what deeds you performed in their days,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>in the days of old:</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">you with your own hand drove out the nations,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>but them you planted;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">you afflicted the peoples,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>but them you set free;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">for not by their own sword did they win the land,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>nor did their own arm give them victory;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">but your right hand, and your arm,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and the light of your countenance,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>for you delighted in them.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">You are my King and my God;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>you command* victories for Jacob.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Through you we push down our foes;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>through your name we tread down our assailants.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For not in my bow do I trust,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>nor can my sword save me.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">But you have saved us from our foes,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and have put to confusion those who hate us.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In God we have boasted continually,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and we will give thanks to your name for ever.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun:
yes"> </span>Selah</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Yet you have rejected us and abased us,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and have not gone out with our armies.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">You made us turn back from the foe,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and our enemies have taken spoil for themselves.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">You have made us like sheep for slaughter,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and have scattered us among the nations.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">You have sold your people for a trifle,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>demanding no high price for them.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">You have made us the taunt of our neighbours,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>the derision and scorn of those around us.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">You have made us a byword among the nations,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>a laughing-stock* among the peoples.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">All day long my disgrace is before me,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and shame has covered my face</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">at the words of the taunters and revilers,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>at the sight of the enemy and the avenger.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">All this has come upon us,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>yet we have not forgotten you,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>or been false to your covenant.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Our heart has not turned back,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>nor have our steps departed from your way,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">yet you have broken us in the haunt of jackals,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and covered us with deep darkness.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">If we had forgotten the name of our God,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>or spread out our hands to a strange god,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">would not God discover this?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>For he knows the secrets of the heart.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Because of you we are being killed all day long,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and accounted as sheep for the slaughter.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Rouse yourself! Why do you sleep, O Lord?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Awake, do not cast us off for ever!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Why do you hide your face?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Why do you forget our affliction and oppression?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For we sink down to the dust;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>our bodies cling to the ground.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Rise up, come to our help.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Redeem us for the sake of your steadfast love.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">******************************************************************</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
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