Revised Common Lectionary (Complementary)

⁸ O Lord God of all, hear my prayer. Listen, O God of Jacob. ⁹ Look upon our safe-covering, O God. And look upon the face of Your chosen one. ¹⁰ For a day in Your house is better than a thousand outside. I would rather be the one who opens the door of the house of my God, than to live in the tents of the sinful. ¹¹ For the Lord God is a sun and a safe-covering. The Lord gives favor and honor. He holds back nothing good from those who walk in the way that is right. ¹² O Lord of all, how happy is the man who trusts in You!

Hannah’s Prayer

2 Then Hannah prayed and said, “My heart is happy in the Lord. My strength is honored in the Lord. My mouth speaks with strength against those who hate me, because I have joy in Your saving power. ² There is no one holy like the Lord. For sure, there is no one other than You. There is no rock like our God. ³ Speak no more in your pride. Do not let proud talk come out of your mouth. For the Lord is a God Who knows. Actions are weighed by Him. ⁴ The bows of the powerful are broken. But the weak are dressed in strength. ⁵ Those who were full go out to work for bread. But those who were hungry are filled. She who could not give birth has given birth to seven. But she who has many children has become weak. ⁶ The Lord kills and brings to life. He brings down to the grave, and He raises up. ⁷ The Lord makes poor and makes rich. He brings low and He lifts up. ⁸ He lifts the poor from the dust. He lifts those in need from the ashes. He makes them sit with rulers and receive a seat of honor. For what holds the earth belongs to the Lord. He has set the world in its place. ⁹ He watches over the steps of His good people. But the sinful ones will be made quiet in darkness. For a man will not win by strength. ¹⁰ Those who fight with the Lord will be broken to pieces. He will thunder in heaven against them. The Lord will decide about all people to the ends of the earth. He will give strength to His king. He will give power to His chosen one.”

Stay True During Suffering

¹² Dear friends, your faith is going to be tested as if it were going through fire. Do not be surprised at this. ¹³ Be happy that you are able to share some of the suffering of Christ. When His shining-greatness is shown, you will be filled with much joy. ¹⁴ If men speak bad of you because you are a Christian, you will be happy because the Spirit of shining-greatness and of God is in you. ¹⁵ None of you should suffer as one who kills another person or as one who steals or as one who makes trouble or as one who tries to be the boss of other peoples’ lives. ¹⁶ But if a man suffers as a Christian, he should not be ashamed. He should thank God that he is a Christian. ¹⁷ The time has come for Christians to stand before God and He will judge. If this happens to us, what will happen to those who do not obey the Good News of God? ¹⁸ If it is hard for a man who is right with God to be saved, what will happen to the sinner? ¹⁹ So if God wants you to suffer, give yourself to Him. He will do what is right for you. He made you and He is faithful.