Wednesday in Lent — Open Word

FIRST READING

2 Chronicles 20:1-22

Verse 1. After this, the Moabites and Ammonites, together with some of the Meunites, came to make war against Jehoshaphat. Verse 2. Then some men came and told Jehoshaphat, “A vast army is coming against you from Edom, from beyond the Sea; they are already in Hazazon-tamar” (that is, En-gedi). Verse 3. Jehoshaphat was alarmed and set his face to seek the LORD. And he proclaimed a fast throughout Judah. Verse 4. So the people of Judah gathered to seek the LORD, and indeed, they came from all the cities of Judah to seek Him. Verse 5. Then Jehoshaphat stood in the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem in the house of the LORD in front of the new courtyard Verse 6. and said, “O LORD, God of our fathers, are You not the God who is in heaven, and do You not rule over all the kingdoms of the nations? Power and might are in Your hand, and no one can stand against You. Verse 7. Our God, did You not drive out the inhabitants of this land before Your people Israel and give it forever to the descendants of Abraham Your friend? Verse 8. They have lived in the land and have built in it a sanctuary for Your Name, saying, Verse 9. ‘If disaster comes upon us— whether sword or judgment, plague or famine— we will stand before this temple and before You, for Your Name is in this temple. We will cry out to You in our distress, and You will hear us and save us.’ Verse 10. And now, here are the men of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, whom You did not let Israel invade when they came out of the land of Egypt. So Israel turned away from them and did not destroy them. Verse 11. See how they are repaying us by coming to drive us out of the possession that You gave us as an inheritance. Verse 12. Our God, will You not judge them? For we are powerless before this vast army that comes against us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon You.” Verse 13. Meanwhile all the men of Judah, with their wives and children and little ones, were standing before the LORD. Verse 14. Then the Spirit of the LORD came upon Jahaziel son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah, a Levite from Asaph’s descendants, as he stood in the midst of the assembly. Verse 15. And he said, “Listen, all you people of Judah and Jerusalem! Listen, King Jehoshaphat! This is what the LORD says: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army, for the battle does not belong to you, but to God. Verse 16. Tomorrow you are to march down against them. You will see them coming up the Ascent of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the valley facing the Wilderness of Jeruel. Verse 17. You need not fight this battle. Take up your positions, stand firm, and see the salvation of the LORD on your behalf, O Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid or discouraged. Go out and face them tomorrow, for the LORD is with you.’” Verse 18. Then Jehoshaphat bowed facedown, and all the people of Judah and Jerusalem fell down before the LORD to worship Him. Verse 19. And the Levites from the Kohathites and Korahites stood up to praise the LORD, the God of Israel, shouting in a very loud voice. Verse 20. Early in the morning they got up and left for the Wilderness of Tekoa. As they set out, Jehoshaphat stood up and said, “Hear me, O people of Judah and Jerusalem. Believe in the LORD your God, and you will be upheld; believe in His prophets, and you will succeed.” Verse 21. Then Jehoshaphat consulted with the people and appointed those who would sing to the LORD and praise the splendor of His holiness. As they went out before the army, they were singing: “Give thanks to the LORD, for His loving devotion endures forever.” Verse 22. The moment they began their shouts and praises, the LORD set ambushes against the men of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir who had come against Judah, and they were defeated.

PSALM

Psalm 105:1-42

Give thanks to the LORD, call upon His name; make known His deeds among the nations.

Sing to Him, sing praises to Him; tell of all His wonders.

Glory in His holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice.

Seek out the LORD and His strength; seek His face always.

Remember the wonders He has done, His marvels, and the judgments He has pronounced,

O offspring of His servant Abraham, O sons of Jacob, His chosen ones.

He is the LORD our God; His judgments carry throughout the earth.

He remembers His covenant forever, the word He ordained for a thousand generations—

the covenant He made with Abraham, and the oath He swore to Isaac.

He confirmed it to Jacob as a decree, to Israel as an everlasting covenant:

“I will give you the land of Canaan as the portion of your inheritance.”

When they were few in number, few indeed, and strangers in the land,

they wandered from nation to nation, from one kingdom to another.

He let no man oppress them; He rebuked kings on their behalf:

“Do not touch My anointed ones! Do no harm to My prophets!”

He called down famine on the land and cut off all their supplies of food.

He sent a man before them— Joseph, sold as a slave.

They bruised his feet with shackles and placed his neck in irons,

until his prediction came true and the word of the LORD proved him right.

The king sent and released him; the ruler of peoples set him free.

He made him master of his household, ruler over all his substance,

to instruct his princes as he pleased and teach his elders wisdom.

Then Israel entered Egypt; Jacob dwelt in the land of Ham.

And the LORD made His people very fruitful, more numerous than their foes,

whose hearts He turned to hate His people, to conspire against His servants.

He sent Moses His servant, and Aaron, whom He had chosen.

They performed His miraculous signs among them, and wonders in the land of Ham.

He sent darkness, and it became dark— yet they defied His words.

He turned their waters to blood and caused their fish to die.

Their land teemed with frogs, even in their royal chambers.

He spoke, and insects swarmed— gnats throughout their country.

He gave them hail for rain, with lightning throughout their land.

He struck their vines and fig trees and shattered the trees of their country.

He spoke, and the locusts came— young locusts without number.

They devoured every plant in their land and consumed the produce of their soil.

Then He struck all the firstborn in their land, the firstfruits of all their vigor.

He brought Israel out with silver and gold, and none among His tribes stumbled.

Egypt was glad when they departed, for the dread of Israel had fallen on them.

He spread a cloud as a covering and a fire to light up the night.

They asked, and He brought quail and satisfied them with the bread of heaven.

He opened a rock, and water gushed out; it flowed like a river in the desert.

For He remembered His holy promise to Abraham His servant.

SECOND READING

Luke 13:22-31

Verse 22. Then Jesus traveled throughout the towns and villages, teaching as He made His way toward Jerusalem. Verse 23. “Lord,” someone asked Him, “will only a few people be saved?” Jesus answered, Verse 24. “Make every effort to enter through the narrow door. For many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able. Verse 25. After the master of the house gets up and shuts the door, you will stand outside knocking and saying, ‘Lord, open the door for us.’ But he will reply, ‘I do not know where you are from.’ Verse 26. Then you will say, ‘We ate and drank with you, and you taught in our streets.’ Verse 27. And he will answer, ‘I tell you, I do not know where you are from. Depart from me, all you evildoers.’ Verse 28. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth when you see Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, but you yourselves are thrown out. Verse 29. People will come from east and west and north and south, and will recline at the table in the kingdom of God. Verse 30. And indeed, some who are last will be first, and some who are first will be last.” Verse 31. At that very hour, some Pharisees came to Jesus and told Him, “Leave this place and get away, because Herod wants to kill You.”