its days like those of a hireling?

2 Like a slave who longs for the shade,

a hireling who waits for wages,

3 So I have been assigned months of futility,

and troubled nights have been counted off for me.

4 When I lie down I say, “When shall I arise?”

then the night drags on;

I am filled with restlessness until the dawn.

5 My flesh is clothed with worms and scabs;

my skin cracks and festers;

6 My days are swifter than a weaver’s shuttle;

they come to an end without hope.

7 Remember that my life is like the wind;

my eye will not see happiness again.

8 The eye that now sees me shall no more behold me;

when your eye is on me, I shall be gone.

9 As a cloud dissolves and vanishes,

so whoever goes down to Sheol shall not come up.

10 They shall not return home again;

their place shall know them no more.

11 My own utterance I will not restrain;

I will speak in the anguish of my spirit;

I will complain in the bitterness of my soul.

12 Am I the Sea, or the dragon,

that you place a watch over me?

13 When I say, “My bed shall comfort me,

my couch shall ease my complaint,”

14 Then you frighten me with dreams

and terrify me with visions,

15 So that I should prefer strangulation

and death rather than my existence.

16 I waste away: I will not live forever;

let me alone, for my days are but a breath.

17 What are human beings, that you make much of them,

or pay them any heed?

18You observe them every morning

and try them at every moment!

19How long before you look away from me,

and let me alone till I swallow my spit?

20 If I sin, what do I do to you,

O watcher of mortals?

Why have you made me your target?

Why should I be a burden for you?

21 Why do you not pardon my offense,

or take away my guilt?

For soon I shall lie down in the dust;

and should you seek me I shall be gone.

Job 7:1-21

Job’s Restoration.

The LORD then showed favor to Job.

10 The LORD also restored the prosperity of Job, after he had prayed for his friends; the LORD even gave to Job twice as much as he had before.11 Then all his brothers and sisters came to him, and all his former acquaintances, and they dined with him in his house. They consoled and comforted him for all the evil the LORD had brought upon him, and each one gave him a piece of money and a gold ring.

12 Thus the LORD blessed the later days of Job more than his earlier ones. Now he had fourteen thousand sheep, six thousand camels, a thousand yoke of oxen, and a thousand she-donkeys.13 He also had seven sons and three daughters: 16 After this, Job lived a hundred and forty years; and he saw his children, his grandchildren, and even his great-grandchildren. 17 Then Job died, old and full of years. Job :9-13;16-17

Thanksgiving

7. Complacent, I once said,

“I shall never be shaken.”

8 LORD, you showed me favor,

established for me mountains of virtue.

But when you hid your face

I was struck with terror.

9 To you, LORD, I cried out;

with the Lord I pleaded for mercy:

10 “What gain is there from my lifeblood,

from my going down to the grave?

Does dust give you thanks

or declare your faithfulness?

11 Hear, O LORD, have mercy on me;

LORD, be my helper.”

12 You changed my mourning into dancing;

you took off my sackcloth

and clothed me with gladness.

13 So that my glory may praise you

and not be silent.

O LORD, my God,

forever will I give you thanks.

Psalm 30:7-13

THE BEATITUDES*

3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit,

for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

4 Blessed they ho mourn,

for they will be comforted.

5 Blessed are the meek,

for they will inherit the land.

6 Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness,

for they will be satisfied.

7 Blessed are the merciful,

for they will be shown mercy.

8 Blessed are the clean of heart,

for they will see God.

9 Blessed are the peacemakers,

for they will be called children of God.

10 Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness,

for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11 Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you [falsely] because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven. Thus they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

The Similes of Salt and Light. 13i“You are the salt of the earth. But if salt loses its taste, with what can it be seasoned? It is no longer good for anything but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. 14 You are the light of the world. A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden.j15 Nor do they light a lamp and then put it under a bushel basket; it is set on a lampstand, where it gives light to all in the house. 16 Just so, your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father.

Matthew 5:1-16

And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.” Matthew 28:20

Agony in the Garden

39 Then going out he went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives, and the disciples followed him.40 When he arrived at the place he said to them, “Pray that you may not undergo the test.” 41 After withdrawing about a stone’s throw from them and kneeling, he prayed, 42 saying, “Father, if you are willing, take this cup away from me; still, not my will but yours be done.” 43 And to strengthen him an angel from heaven appeared to him. 44 He was in such agony and he prayed so fervently that his sweat became like drops of blood falling on the ground.

Luke 22:39-44