Thursday in Advent — Open Word

FIRST READING

2 Samuel 7:1-17

Verse 1. After the king had settled into his palace and the LORD had given him rest from all his enemies around him, Verse 2. he said to Nathan the prophet, “Here I am, living in a house of cedar, while the ark of God remains in a tent.” Verse 3. And Nathan replied to the king, “Go and do all that is in your heart, for the LORD is with you.” Verse 4. But that night the word of the LORD came to Nathan, saying, Verse 5. “Go and tell My servant David that this is what the LORD says: Are you the one to build for Me a house to dwell in? Verse 6. For I have not dwelt in a house from the day I brought the Israelites up out of Egypt until this day, but I have moved about with a tent as My dwelling. Verse 7. In all My journeys with all the Israelites, have I ever asked any of the leaders I appointed to shepherd My people Israel, ‘Why haven’t you built Me a house of cedar?’ Verse 8. Now then, you are to tell My servant David that this is what the LORD of Hosts says: I took you from the pasture, from following the flock, to be the ruler over My people Israel. Verse 9. I have been with you wherever you have gone, and I have cut off all your enemies from before you. Now I will make for you a name like that of the greatest in the land. Verse 10. And I will provide a place for My people Israel and will plant them so that they may dwell in a place of their own and be disturbed no more. No longer will the sons of wickedness oppress them as they did at the beginning Verse 11. and have done since the day I appointed judges over My people Israel. I will give you rest from all your enemies. The LORD declares to you that He Himself will establish a house for you. Verse 12. And when your days are fulfilled and you rest with your fathers, I will raise up your descendant after you, who will come from your own body, and I will establish his kingdom. Verse 13. He will build a house for My Name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. Verse 14. I will be his Father, and he will be My son. When he does wrong, I will discipline him with the rod of men and with the blows of the sons of men. Verse 15. But My loving devotion will never be removed from him as I removed it from Saul, whom I removed from before you. Verse 16. Your house and kingdom will endure forever before Me, and your throne will be established forever.” Verse 17. So Nathan relayed to David all the words of this entire revelation.

PSALM

Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19

For the choirmaster. To the tune of “The Lilies of the Covenant.” A Psalm of Asaph. Hear us, O Shepherd of Israel, who leads Joseph like a flock; You who sit enthroned between the cherubim, shine forth

before Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasseh. Rally Your mighty power and come to save us.

Restore us, O God, and cause Your face to shine upon us, that we may be saved.

O LORD God of Hosts, how long will Your anger smolder against the prayers of Your people?

You fed them with the bread of tears and made them drink the full measure of their tears.

You make us contend with our neighbors; our enemies mock us.

Restore us, O God of Hosts, and cause Your face to shine upon us, that we may be saved.

Let Your hand be upon the man at Your right hand, on the son of man You have raised up for Yourself.

Then we will not turn away from You; revive us, and we will call on Your name.

Restore us, O LORD God of Hosts; cause Your face to shine upon us, that we may be saved.

SECOND READING

Galatians 3:23-29

Verse 23. Before this faith came, we were held in custody under the law, locked up until faith should be revealed. Verse 24. So the law became our guardian to lead us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. Verse 25. Now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian. Verse 26. You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. Verse 27. For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. Verse 28. There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. Verse 29. And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed and heirs according to the promise.