Day 208 of 365

1 Chr 13:1–14

1 David consulted with the captains of thousands and of hundreds, even with every leader.

2 David said to all the assembly of Israel, "If it seems good to you, and if it is of the Lord our God, let us send abroad everywhere to our brothers who are left in all the land of Israel, with whom the priests and Levites are in their cities that have suburbs, that they may gather themselves to us;

3 and let us bring again the ark of our God to us. For we did not seek it in the days of Saul."

4 All the assembly said that they would do so; for the thing was right in the eyes of all the people.

5 So David assembled all Israel together, from the Shihor the brook of Egypt even to the entrance of Hamath, to bring the ark of God from Kiriath Jearim.

6 David went up, and all Israel, to Baalah, that is, to Kiriath Jearim, which belonged to Judah, to bring up from there the ark of God the Lord that sits above the cherubim, that is called by the Name.

7 They carried the ark of God on a new cart, and brought it out of the house of Abinadab: and Uzza and Ahio drove the cart.

8 David and all Israel played before God with all their might, even with songs, and with harps, and with stringed instruments, and with tambourines, and with cymbals, and with trumpets.

9 When they came to the threshing floor of Chidon, Uzza put forth his hand to hold the ark; for the oxen stumbled.

10 The anger of the Lord was kindled against Uzza, and he struck him, because he put forth his hand to the ark; and there he died before God.

11 David was displeased, because the Lord had broken forth on Uzza; and he called that place Perez Uzza, to this day.

12 David was afraid of God that day, saying, "How shall I bring the ark of God home to me?"

13 So David did not move the ark to him into the city of David, but carried it aside into the house of Obed-Edom the Gittite.

14 The ark of God remained with the family of Obed-Edom in his house three months: and the Lord blessed the house of Obed-Edom, and all that he had.

Acts 24:1–27

1 After five days, the high priest, Ananias, came down with certain elders and an orator, one Tertullus. They informed the governor against Paul.

2 When he was called, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying, "Seeing that by you we enjoy much peace, and that by your foresight reforms are coming to this nation,

3 we accept it in all ways and in all places, most excellent Felix, with all thankfulness.

4 But, that I do not delay you, I entreat you to bear with us and hear a few words.

5 For we have found this man to be a plague, an instigator of insurrections among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes.

6 He even tried to profane the temple, and we arrested him.

8 By examining him yourself you may ascertain all these things of which we accuse him."

9 The Judeans also joined in the attack, affirming that these things were so.

10 When the governor had beckoned to him to speak, Paul answered, "Because I know that you have been a judge of this nation for many years, I cheerfully make my defense,

11 seeing that you can recognize that it is not more than twelve days since I went up to worship at Jerusalem.

12 In the temple they did not find me disputing with anyone or stirring up a crowd, either in the synagogues, or in the city.

13 Nor can they prove to you the things of which they now accuse me.

14 But this I confess to you, that after the Way, which they call a sect, so I serve the God of our fathers, believing all things which are according to the Law, and which are written in the Prophets;

15 having hope toward God, which these also themselves look for, that there will be a resurrection, both of the just and unjust.

16 Herein I also practice always having a conscience void of offense toward God and men.

17 Now after some years, I came to bring gifts for the needy to my nation, and offerings;

18 amid which certain Jews from Asia found me purified in the temple, not with a mob, nor with turmoil.

19 They ought to have been here before you, and to make accusation, if they had anything against me.

20 Or else let these men themselves say what injustice they found in me when I stood before the council,

21 unless it is for this one thing that I shouted out standing among them, 'Concerning the resurrection of the dead I am being judged before you today!'"

22 But Felix, having more exact knowledge concerning the Way, deferred them, saying, "When Lysias, the commanding officer, comes down, I will decide your case."

23 He ordered the centurion that he should be kept in custody, and should have some privileges, and not to forbid any of his friends to serve him or to visit him.

24 But after some days, Felix came with Drusilla, his wife, who was a Jewess, and sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ Jesus.

25 As he reasoned about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix was terrified, and answered, "Go your way for this time, and when it is convenient for me, I will summon you."

26 Meanwhile, he also hoped that money would be given to him by Paul. Therefore also he sent for him more often, and talked with him.

27 But when two years were fulfilled, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus, and desiring to gain favor with the Judeans, Felix left Paul in bonds.

Ps 89:1–52

1 I will sing of the loving kindness of the Lord forever. With my mouth, I will make known your faithfulness to all generations.

2 I indeed declare, "Love stands firm forever. You established the heavens. Your faithfulness is in them."

3 "I have made a covenant with my chosen one, I have sworn to David, my servant,

4 'I will establish your seed forever, and build up your throne to all generations.'" Selah.

5 The heavens will praise your wonders, Lord; your faithfulness also in the assembly of the holy ones.

6 For who in the skies can be compared to the Lord? Who among the sons of the heavenly beings is like the Lord,

7 a very awesome God in the council of the holy ones, to be feared above all those who are around him?

8 Lord, God of Hosts, who is a mighty one, like you? Yah, your faithfulness is around you.

9 You rule the pride of the sea. When its waves rise up, you calm them.

10 You have broken Rahab in pieces, like one of the slain. You have scattered your enemies with your mighty arm.

11 The heavens are yours. The earth also is yours; the world and its fullness. You have founded them.

12 The north and the south, you have created them. Tabor and Hermon rejoice in your name.

13 You have a mighty arm. Your hand is strong, and your right hand is exalted.

14 Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne. Loving kindness and truth go before your face.

15 Blessed are the people who learn to acclaim you. They walk in the light of your presence, Lord.

16 In your name they rejoice all day. In your righteousness, they are exalted.

17 For you are the glory of their strength. In your favor, our horn will be exalted.

18 For our shield belongs to the Lord; our king to the Holy One of Israel.

19 Then you spoke in vision to your holy ones, and said, "I have bestowed strength on the warrior. I have exalted a young man from the people.

20 I have found David, my servant. I have anointed him with my holy oil,

21 with whom my hand shall be established. My arm will also strengthen him.

22 No enemy will tax him. No wicked man will oppress him.

23 I will beat down his adversaries before him, and strike those who hate him.

24 But my faithfulness and my loving kindness will be with him. In my name, his horn will be exalted.

25 I will set his hand also on the sea, and his right hand on the rivers.

26 He will call to me, 'You are my Father, my God, and the rock of my salvation!'

27 I will also appoint him my firstborn, the highest of the kings of the earth.

28 I will keep my loving kindness for him forevermore. My covenant will stand firm with him.

29 I will also make his seed endure forever, and his throne as the days of heaven.

30 If his children forsake my Law, and do not walk in my ordinances;

31 if they break my statutes, and do not keep my commandments;

32 then I will punish their sin with the rod, and their iniquity with stripes.

33 But I will not completely take my loving kindness from him, nor allow my faithfulness to fail.

34 I will not break my covenant, nor alter what my lips have uttered.

35 Once have I sworn by my holiness, I will not lie to David.

36 His seed will endure forever, his throne like the sun before me.

37 It will be established forever like the moon, the faithful witness in the sky." Selah.

38 But you have rejected and spurned. You have been angry with your anointed.

39 You have renounced the covenant of your servant. You have defiled his crown in the dust.

40 You have broken down all his hedges. You have brought his strongholds to ruin.

41 All who pass by the way rob him. He has become a reproach to his neighbors.

42 You have exalted the right hand of his adversaries. You have made all of his enemies rejoice.

43 Yes, you turn back the edge of his sword, and haven't supported him in battle.

44 You have ended his splendor, and thrown his throne down to the ground.

45 You have shortened the days of his youth. You have covered him with shame. Selah.

46 How long, Lord? Will you hide yourself forever? Will your wrath burn like fire?

47 Remember how short my time is! For what vanity have you created all the children of men!

48 What man is he who shall live and not see death, who shall deliver his soul from the power of Sheol? Selah.

49 Lord, where are your former loving kindnesses, which you swore to David in your faithfulness?

50 Remember, Lord, the reproach of your servants, how I bear in my heart the taunts of all the mighty peoples,

51 With which your enemies have mocked, Lord, with which they have mocked the footsteps of your anointed one.

52 Blessed be the Lord forevermore. Amen, and Amen.