Wednesday in Season after Pentecost

Semicontinuous (Track 1)

FIRST READING

2 Samuel 2:1-7

Verse 1. Some time later, David inquired of the LORD, “Should I go up to one of the towns of Judah?” “Go up,” the LORD answered. Then David asked, “Where should I go?” “To Hebron,” replied the LORD. Verse 2. So David went there with his two wives, Ahinoam of Jezreel and Abigail the widow of Nabal of Carmel. Verse 3. David also took the men who were with him, each with his household, and they settled in the towns near Hebron. Verse 4. Then the men of Judah came to Hebron, and there they anointed David king over the house of Judah. And they told David, “It was the men of Jabesh-gilead who buried Saul.” Verse 5. So David sent messengers to the men of Jabesh-gilead to tell them, “The LORD bless you, because you showed this kindness to Saul your lord when you buried him. Verse 6. Now may the LORD show you loving devotion and faithfulness, and I will also show you the same favor because you have done this. Verse 7. Now then, be strong and courageous, for though Saul your lord is dead, the house of Judah has anointed me as their king.”

PSALM

Psalm 63

A Psalm of David, when he was in the Wilderness of Judah. O God, You are my God. Earnestly I seek You; my soul thirsts for You. My body yearns for You in a dry and weary land without water.

So I have seen You in the sanctuary and beheld Your power and glory.

Because Your loving devotion is better than life, my lips will glorify You.

So I will bless You as long as I live; in Your name I will lift my hands.

My soul is satisfied as with the richest of foods; with joyful lips my mouth will praise You.

When I remember You on my bed, I think of You through the watches of the night.

For You are my help; I will sing for joy in the shadow of Your wings.

My soul clings to You; Your right hand upholds me.

But those who seek my life to destroy it will go into the depths of the earth.

They will fall to the power of the sword; they will become a portion for foxes.

But the king will rejoice in God; all who swear by Him will exult, for the mouths of liars will be shut.

Complementary (Track 2)

FIRST READING

Ezekiel 30:20-26

Verse 20. In the eleventh year, on the seventh day of the first month, the word of the LORD came to me, saying, Verse 21. “Son of man, I have broken the arm of Pharaoh king of Egypt. See, it has not been bound up for healing, or splinted for strength to hold the sword. Verse 22. Therefore this is what the Lord GOD says: Behold, I am against Pharaoh king of Egypt. I will break his arms, both the strong one and the one already broken, and will make the sword fall from his hand. Verse 23. I will disperse the Egyptians among the nations and scatter them throughout the lands. Verse 24. I will strengthen the arms of Babylon’s king and place My sword in his hand, but I will break the arms of Pharaoh, who will groan before him like a mortally wounded man. Verse 25. I will strengthen the arms of Babylon’s king, but Pharaoh’s arms will fall limp. Then they will know that I am the LORD, when I place My sword in the hand of Babylon’s king, and he wields it against the land of Egypt. Verse 26. I will disperse the Egyptians among the nations and scatter them throughout the lands. Then they will know that I am the LORD.”

PSALM

Psalm 76

For the choirmaster. With stringed instruments. A Psalm of Asaph. A song. God is known in Judah; His name is great in Israel.

His tent is in Salem, His dwelling place in Zion.

There He shattered the flaming arrows, the shield and sword and weapons of war.

You are resplendent with light, more majestic than mountains filled with game.

The valiant lie plundered; they sleep their last sleep. No men of might could lift a hand.

At Your rebuke, O God of Jacob, both horse and rider lie stunned.

You alone are to be feared. When You are angry, who can stand before You?

From heaven You pronounced judgment, and the earth feared and was still

when God rose up to judge, to save all the lowly of the earth.

Even the wrath of man shall praise You; with the survivors of wrath You will clothe Yourself.

Make and fulfill your vows to the LORD your God; let all the neighboring lands bring tribute to Him who is to be feared.

He breaks the spirits of princes; He is feared by the kings of the earth.

SECOND READING

John 16:25-33

Verse 25. I have spoken these things to you in figures of speech. An hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you this way, but will tell you plainly about the Father. Verse 26. In that day you will ask in My name. I am not saying that I will ask the Father on your behalf. Verse 27. For the Father Himself loves you, because you have loved Me and have believed that I came from God. Verse 28. I came from the Father and entered the world. In turn, I will leave the world and go to the Father.” Verse 29. His disciples said, “See, now You are speaking plainly and without figures of speech. Verse 30. Now we understand that You know all things and that You have no need for anyone to question You. Because of this, we believe that You came from God.” Verse 31. “Do you finally believe?” Jesus replied. Verse 32. “Look, an hour is coming and has already come when you will be scattered, each to his own home, and you will leave Me all alone. Yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me. Verse 33. I have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take courage; I have overcome the world!”