Open Word

FIRST READING

Joel 2:18-29

Verse 18. Then the LORD became jealous for His land, and He spared His people. Verse 19. And the LORD answered His people: “Behold, I will send you grain, new wine, and oil, and by them you will be satisfied. I will never again make you a reproach among the nations. Verse 20. The northern army I will drive away from you, banishing it to a barren and desolate land, its front ranks into the Eastern Sea, and its rear guard into the Western Sea. And its stench will rise; its foul odor will ascend. For He has done great things. Verse 21. Do not be afraid, O land; rejoice and be glad, for the LORD has done great things. Verse 22. Do not be afraid, O beasts of the field, for the open pastures have turned green, the trees bear their fruit, and the fig tree and vine yield their best. Verse 23. Be glad, O children of Zion, and rejoice in the LORD your God, for He has given you the autumn rains for your vindication. He sends you showers, both autumn and spring rains, as before. Verse 24. The threshing floors will be full of grain, and the vats will overflow with new wine and oil. Verse 25. I will repay you for the years eaten by locusts — the swarming locust, the young locust, the destroying locust, and the devouring locust — My great army that I sent against you. Verse 26. You will have plenty to eat, until you are satisfied. You will praise the name of the LORD your God, who has worked wonders for you. My people will never again be put to shame. Verse 27. Then you will know that I am present in Israel and that I am the LORD your God, and there is no other. My people will never again be put to shame. Verse 28. And afterward, I will pour out My Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. Verse 29. Even on My menservants and maidservants, I will pour out My Spirit in those days.

PSALM

Psalm 104:24-34, 35b

How many are Your works, O LORD! In wisdom You have made them all; the earth is full of Your creatures.

Here is the sea, vast and wide, teeming with creatures beyond number, living things both great and small.

There the ships pass, and Leviathan, which You formed to frolic there.

All creatures look to You to give them their food in due season.

When You give it to them, they gather it up; when You open Your hand, they are satisfied with good things.

When You hide Your face, they are terrified; when You take away their breath, they die and return to dust.

When You send Your Spirit, they are created, and You renew the face of the earth.

May the glory of the LORD endure forever; may the LORD rejoice in His works.

He looks on the earth, and it trembles; He touches the mountains, and they smolder.

I will sing to the LORD all my life; I will sing praise to my God while I have my being.

May my meditation be pleasing to Him, for I rejoice in the LORD.

Bless the LORD, O my soul. Hallelujah!

SECOND READING

Romans 8:18-24

Verse 18. I consider that our present sufferings are not comparable to the glory that will be revealed in us. Verse 19. The creation waits in eager expectation for the revelation of the sons of God. Verse 20. For the creation was subjected to futility, not by its own will, but because of the One who subjected it, in hope Verse 21. that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God. Verse 22. We know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until the present time. Verse 23. Not only that, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. Verse 24. For in this hope we were saved; but hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he can already see?