Bible Readings for Monday, December 4th, 2011

– The Week of The Second Sunday of Advent

*Click on each bible passage to expand the text.

Psalm 27

1. The Lord is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid?

2. When evil men advance against me to devour my flesh, when my enemies and my foes attack me, they will stumble and fall.

3. Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then will I be confident.

4. One thing I ask of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple.

5. For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle and set me high upon a rock.

6. Then my head will be exalted above the enemies who surround me; at his tabernacle will I sacrifice with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the Lord.

7. Hear my voice when I call, O Lord; be merciful to me and answer me.

8. My heart says of you, “Seek his face!” Your face, Lord, I will seek.

9. Do not hide your face from me, do not turn your servant away in anger; you have been my helper. Do not reject me or forsake me, O God my Savior.

10. Though my father and mother forsake me, the Lord will receive me.

11. Teach me your way, O Lord; lead me in a straight path because of my oppressors.

12. Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes, for false witnesses rise up against me, breathing out violence.

13. I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.

14. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.

Isaiah 26:7-15

7. The path of the righteous is level; O upright One, you make the way of the righteous smooth.

8. Yes, Lord, walking in the way of your laws, we wait for you; your name and renown are the desire of our hearts.

9. My soul yearns for you in the night; in the morning my spirit longs for you. When your judgments come upon the earth, the people of the world learn righteousness.

10. Though grace is shown to the wicked, they do not learn righteousness; even in a land of uprightness they go on doing evil and regard not the majesty of the Lord.

11. O Lord, your hand is lifted high, but they do not see it. Let them see your zeal for your people and be put to shame; let the fire reserved for your enemies consume them.

12. Lord, you establish peace for us; all that we have accomplished you have done for us.

13. O Lord, our God, other lords besides you have ruled over us, but your name alone do we honor.

14. They are now dead, they live no more; those departed spirits do not rise. You punished them and brought them to ruin; you wiped out all memory of them.

15. You have enlarged the nation, O Lord; you have enlarged the nation. You have gained glory for yourself; you have extended all the borders of the land.

Acts 2:37-42