The Daily Lectionary for Thursday, February 9, 2023

 

The Daily Lectionary
Thursday, February 9, 2023
Psalm 119:1-8; Genesis 26:1-5; James 1:12-16
(Revised Common Lectionary Year A)

A Psalm and A Prayer
Responsive Readings from the Psalms and Prayers
for Public Worship and Private Devotions
Psalm 119:1-8
Happy are those who walk in the law
Beati immaculati

Happy are they whose way is blameless,
who walk in the law of the LORD!

Happy are they who observe his decrees
and seek him with all their hearts!

Who never do any wrong,
but always walk in his ways.

You laid down your commandments,
that we should fully keep them.

Oh, that my ways were made so direct
that I might keep your statutes!

Then I should not be put to shame,
when I regard all your commandments.

I will thank you with an unfeigned heart,
when I have learned your righteous judgments.

I will keep your statutes;
do not utterly forsake me.

Heavenly Father, You have given us Your law that we might walk according to Your precepts and standards. You have called us to love You with our whole heart, and love our neighbors as ourselves. Indeed, we know this is the pathway to happiness and the way to enjoy eternal life now and forevermore. Thank You for sending Jesus Christ into our world to show us the depth of Your commitment to us. Help us to be likewise committed to You, for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior, in whose name we pray. Amen. Now hear our prayers as You taught us to 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.”

Genesis 26:1-5
God blesses Isaac

26:1 Now there was a famine in the land—besides the previous famine in Abraham’s time—and Isaac went to Abimelek king of the Philistines in Gerar. 2 The Lord appeared to Isaac and said, “Do not go down to Egypt; live in the land where I tell you to live. 3 Stay in this land for a while, and I will be with you and will bless you. For to you and your descendants I will give all these lands and will confirm the oath I swore to your father Abraham. 4 I will make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and will give them all these lands, and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, 5 because Abraham obeyed me and did everything I required of him, keeping my commands, my decrees and my instructions.”

James 1:12-16
God tempts no one

1:12 Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.

13 When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; 14 but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. 15 Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.

16 Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters.

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, February 9, 2023
Psalm 119:1-8; Genesis 26:1-5; James 1:12-16

The Morning Prayer for Thursday, February 9, 2023

 

The Morning Prayer
Thursday, February 9, 2023

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High, who abides in the shadow of the Almighty, will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress; my God, in whom I trust.”
Psalm 91:1–2, RSV

Lord our God, we come into your presence, for you are our certainty, our refuge, especially in these times when so much is happening to grieve and trouble us. You are our God and our Savior today and for all time. You have always been our Savior and helper, and you will remain our Savior and helper forever. We praise you and glorify your name. Give a new spirit in our day, we pray, new help through the gospel brought by Jesus Christ. May your name be kept holy, your kingdom come, and your will be done on earth as in heaven. Amen.

Verse of the Day for Thursday, February 9, 2023

 

Verse of the Day
Thursday, February 9, 2023

2 Thessalonians 1:3

We ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love all of you have for one another is increasing.

The increasing persecution the Thessalonians were facing could have torn their fellowship apart. But because they were maturing in their relationship with the Lord and had submitted themselves to His leadership, the church remained unified. Likewise, a good way to tell if you are growing in your faith is to examine how you react toward your brothers and sisters in Christ. Does your love abound toward them? Do you feel a greater urgency to pray for them? Your love for God should inspire unity within the church.

Read all of Second Thessalonians Chapter 1

Listen to Second Thessalonians Chapter 1

Scripture from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.