The Daily Lectionary for Thursday, March 30, 2023

 

The Daily Lectionary
Thursday, March 30, 2023
Psalm 31:9-16; 1 Samuel 16:11-13; Philippians 1:1-11
(Revised Common Lectionary Year A)

A Psalm and A Prayer
Responsive Readings from the Psalms and Prayers
for Public Worship and Private Devotions
Psalm 31:9-16
I commend my spirit
In te, Domine, speravi

9 Have mercy on me, O LORD, for I am in trouble; *
    my eye is consumed with sorrow,
      and also my throat and my belly.

10 For my life is wasted with grief,
       and my years with sighing; *
     my strength fails me because of affliction,
       and my bones are consumed.

11 I have become a reproach to all my enemies and
       even to my neighbors,
         a dismay to those of my acquaintance; *
     when they see me in the street they avoid me.

12 I am forgotten like a dead man, out of mind; *
     I am as useless as a broken pot.

13 For I have heard the whispering of the crowd;
       fear is all around; *
     they put their heads together against me;
       they plot to take my life.

14 But as for me, I have trusted in you, O LORD. *
     I have said, “You are my God.

15 My times are in your hand; *
     rescue me from the hand of my enemies,
       and from those who persecute me.

16 Make your face to shine upon your servant, *
     and in your loving-kindness save me.”

Heavenly Father, we live in troubling times. Every nation upon the earth seems to be facing problems that appear humanly insurmountable. Yet, we know that nothing is impossible with You. We pray that You would preserve us from trouble, and protect all who trust in You. Help us to rightly understand the Scriptures, so we will know the way to go and be aware of the times in which we live. No matter what happens, we will rejoice in You with glad and holy hearts, even as we pray,

“Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.”

1 Samuel 16:11-13
Samuel anoints David

16:11 So he asked Jesse, “Are these all the sons you have?”

“There is still the youngest,” Jesse answered. “He is tending the sheep.”

Samuel said, “Send for him; we will not sit down until he arrives.”

12 So he sent for him and had him brought in. He was glowing with health and had a fine appearance and handsome features.

Then the Lord said, “Rise and anoint him; this is the one.”

13 So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David. Samuel then went to Ramah.

Philippians 1:1-11
Encouraged to follow Christ’s righteousness

1:1 Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus,

To all God’s holy people in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons:

2 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

3 I thank my God every time I remember you. 4 In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

7 It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart and, whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with me. 8 God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.

9 And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, 10 so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.

Optional parts of the readings are set off in [square brackets.]

The Bible texts of the Old Testament, Epistle, and Gospel lessons are from The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. Responsive Readings from the Common Book of Prayer (1789).

The Daily Lectionary is a three year cyclical lectionary. We are currently in Year A. Beginning with the first Sunday of Advent in 2023, we will be in Year B. The year which ended at Advent 2022 was Year A. These readings complement the Sunday and festival readings: Thursday through Saturday readings help prepare the reader for the Sunday ahead; Monday through Wednesday readings help the reader reflect and digest on what they heard in worship. Revised Common Lectionary Daily Readings, copyright © 2005 Consultation on Common Texts. www.commontexts.org
The Daily Lectionary for Thursday, March 30, 2023
Psalm 31:9-16; 1 Samuel 16:11-13; Philippians 1:1-11