Open Word

FIRST READING

1 Samuel 9:27-10:8

Verse 27. As they were going down to the edge of the city, Samuel said to Saul, “Tell the servant to go on ahead of us, but you stay for a while, and I will reveal to you the word of God.” So the servant went on. Verse 1. Then Samuel took a flask of oil, poured it on Saul’s head, kissed him, and said, “Has not the LORD anointed you ruler over His inheritance? Verse 2. When you leave me today, you will find two men at Rachel’s tomb in Zelzah on the border of Benjamin. They will say to you, ‘The donkeys you seek have been found, and now your father has stopped worrying about the donkeys and started worrying about you, asking, “What should I do about my son?”’ Verse 3. Then you will go on from there until you come to the Oak of Tabor. Three men going up to God at Bethel will meet you there, one carrying three young goats, another carrying three loaves of bread, and another carrying a skin of wine. Verse 4. They will greet you and give you two loaves of bread, which you will accept from their hands. Verse 5. After that you will come to Gibeah of God, where the Philistines have an outpost. As you approach the city, you will meet a group of prophets coming down from the high place, preceded by harps, tambourines, flutes, and lyres, and they will be prophesying. Verse 6. Then the Spirit of the LORD will rush upon you, and you will prophesy with them; and you will be transformed into a different person. Verse 7. When these signs have come, do as the occasion demands, for God is with you. Verse 8. And you shall go before me to Gilgal, and surely I will come to you to offer burnt offerings and to sacrifice peace offerings. Wait seven days until I come to you and show you what you are to do.”

PSALM

Psalm 86

A prayer of David. Incline Your ear, O LORD, and answer me, for I am poor and needy.

Preserve my soul, for I am godly. You are my God; save Your servant who trusts in You.

Be merciful to me, O Lord, for I call to You all day long.

Bring joy to Your servant, for to You, O Lord, I lift up my soul.

For You, O Lord, are kind and forgiving, rich in loving devotion to all who call on You.

Hear my prayer, O LORD, and attend to my plea for mercy.

In the day of my distress I call on You, because You answer me.

O Lord, there is none like You among the gods, nor any works like Yours.

All the nations You have made will come and bow before You, O Lord, and they will glorify Your name.

For You are great and perform wonders; You alone are God.

Teach me Your way, O LORD, that I may walk in Your truth. Give me an undivided heart, that I may fear Your name.

I will praise You, O Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify Your name forever.

For great is Your loving devotion to me; You have delivered me from the depths of Sheol.

The arrogant rise against me, O God; a band of ruthless men seeks my life; they have no regard for You.

But You, O Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion and faithfulness.

Turn to me and have mercy; grant Your strength to Your servant; save the son of Your maidservant.

Show me a sign of Your goodness, that my enemies may see and be ashamed; for You, O LORD, have helped me and comforted me.

SECOND READING

2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1

Verse 14. Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership can righteousness have with wickedness? Or what fellowship does light have with darkness? Verse 15. What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? Verse 16. What agreement can exist between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will dwell with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be My people.” Verse 17. “Therefore come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.” Verse 18. And: “I will be a Father to you, and you will be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.” Verse 1. Therefore, beloved, since we have these promises, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that defiles body and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.