12 June 2022 Sunday Morning Service
Bible
Psalms 39:1-13
Luke 2:22-40
Psalms
39:1 I said, “I will watch my ways and keep my tongue from sin; I will put a muzzle on my mouth as long as the wicked are in my presence.”
39:2 But when I was silent and still, not even saying anything good, my anguish increased.
39:3 My heart grew hot within me, and as I meditated, the fire burned; then I spoke with my tongue:
39:4 “Show me, O LORD, my life’s end and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting is my life.
39:5 You have made my days a mere handbreadth; the span of my years is as nothing before you. Each man’s life is but a breath. Selah
39:6 Man is a mere phantom as he goes to and fro: He bustles about, but only in vain; he heaps up wealth, not knowing who will get it.
39:7 “But now, Lord, what do I look for? My hope is in you.
39:8 Save me from all my transgressions; do not make me the scorn of fools.
39:9 I was silent; I would not open my mouth, for you are the one who has done this.
39:10 Remove your scourge from me; I am overcome by the blow of your hand.
39:11 You rebuke and discipline men for their sin; you consume their wealth like a moth–each man is but a breath. Selah
39:12 “Hear my prayer, O LORD, listen to my cry for help; be not deaf to my weeping. For I dwell with you as an alien, a stranger, as all my fathers were.
39:13 Look away from me, that I may rejoice again before I depart and am no more.”
Luke
2:22 When the time of their purification according to the Law of Moses had been completed, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord
2:23 (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord”),
2:24 and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord: “a pair of doves or two young pigeons.”
2:25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.
2:26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.
2:27 Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required,
2:28 Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying:
2:29 “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace.
2:30 For my eyes have seen your salvation,
2:31 which you have prepared in the sight of all people,
2:32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.”
2:33 The child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about him.
2:34 Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against,
2:35 so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.”
2:36 There was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage,
2:37 and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying.
2:38 Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.
2:39 When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth.
2:40 And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him.