Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)

Prayer for Help in Time of Trouble

17 Hear what is right, O Lord. Listen to my cry. Hear my prayer, for it does not come from lying lips. ² May You decide in my favor. May Your eyes see what is right. ³ You have tested my heart. You have visited me during the night. You have tested me and have found nothing wrong. I have decided that my mouth will not sin. ⁴ As for the actions of men, by the word of Your lips, I have kept myself from the paths of those who want to hurt others. ⁵ My steps have followed Your paths. My feet have not turned from them.

⁶ I have called to You, O God, for You will answer me. Listen to me and hear my words. ⁷ Show Your great loving-kindness. You save by Your right hand the people that come to You for help from those who hate them.

¹⁵ As for me, I will see Your face in what is right and good. I will be happy to see You when I awake.

⁸ “But you, Israel, My servant, Jacob, whom I have chosen, son of My friend Abraham, ⁹ I have taken you from the ends of the earth. I have called you from its farthest parts, and said to you, ‘You are My servant. I have chosen you and have not turned away from you.’ ¹⁰ Do not fear, for I am with you. Do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will give you strength, and for sure I will help you. Yes, I will hold you up with My right hand that is right and good.

⁶ I am not saying that God did not keep His promises. Not all the Jews are people God chose for Himself. ⁷ Not all of Abraham’s family are children of God. God told Abraham, “Only the family of Isaac will be called your family.”^{(A) 8} This means that children born to Abraham are not all children of God. Only those that are born because of God’s promise to Abraham are His children. ⁹ This was the promise God made: “About this time next year I will come, and Sarah will have a son.” ^{(B) 10} Not only this, but there was Rebecca also. Rebecca gave birth to two sons at the same time. Both of them were sons of Isaac. ¹¹ Even before the two sons were born, we see God’s plan of choosing. God could choose whom He wanted. It could not be changed because of anything the older son tried to do about it. It was before either one had done anything good or bad. ¹² Rebecca was told, “The older son will work for the younger son.” ¹³ The Holy Writings say, “I loved Jacob, but hated Esau.” ^(C)