Open Word

FIRST READING

Joshua 4:14-24

Verse 14. On that day the LORD exalted Joshua in the sight of all Israel, and they revered him all the days of his life, just as they had revered Moses. Verse 15. Then the LORD said to Joshua, Verse 16. “Command the priests who carry the ark of the Testimony to come up from the Jordan.” Verse 17. So Joshua commanded the priests, “Come up from the Jordan.” Verse 18. When the priests carrying the ark of the covenant of the LORD came up out of the Jordan and their feet touched the dry land, the waters of the Jordan returned to their course and overflowed all the banks as before. Verse 19. On the tenth day of the first month the people went up from the Jordan and camped at Gilgal on the eastern border of Jericho. Verse 20. And there at Gilgal Joshua set up the twelve stones they had taken from the Jordan. Verse 21. Then Joshua said to the Israelites, “In the future, when your children ask their fathers, ‘What is the meaning of these stones?’ Verse 22. you are to tell them, ‘Israel crossed the Jordan on dry ground.’ Verse 23. For the LORD your God dried up the waters of the Jordan before you until you had crossed over, just as He did to the Red Sea, which He dried up before us until we had crossed over. Verse 24. He did this so that all the peoples of the earth may know that the hand of the LORD is mighty, and so that you may always fear the LORD your God.”

PSALM

Psalm 32

Of David. A Maskil. Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered.

Blessed is the man whose iniquity the LORD does not count against him, in whose spirit there is no deceit.

When I kept silent, my bones became brittle from my groaning all day long.

For day and night Your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was drained as in the summer heat.

Then I acknowledged my sin to You and did not hide my iniquity. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD,” and You forgave the guilt of my sin.

Therefore let all the godly pray to You while You may be found. Surely when great waters rise, they will not come near.

You are my hiding place. You protect me from trouble; You surround me with songs of deliverance.

I will instruct you and teach you the way you should go; I will give you counsel and watch over you.

Do not be like the horse or mule, which have no understanding; they must be controlled with bit and bridle to make them come to you.

Many are the sorrows of the wicked, but loving devotion surrounds him who trusts in the LORD.

Be glad in the LORD and rejoice, O righteous ones; shout for joy, all you upright in heart.

SECOND READING

2 Corinthians 5:6-15

Verse 6. Therefore we are always confident, although we know that while we are at home in the body, we are away from the Lord. Verse 7. For we walk by faith, not by sight. Verse 8. We are confident, then, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. Verse 9. So we aspire to please Him, whether we are at home in this body or away from it. Verse 10. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive his due for the things done in the body, whether good or bad. Verse 11. Therefore, since we know what it means to fear the Lord, we try to persuade men. What we are is clear to God, and I hope it is clear to your conscience as well. Verse 12. We are not commending ourselves to you again. Instead, we are giving you an occasion to be proud of us, so that you can answer those who take pride in appearances rather than in the heart. Verse 13. If we are out of our mind, it is for God; if we are of sound mind, it is for you. Verse 14. For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that One died for all, therefore all died. Verse 15. And He died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died for them and was raised again.