53, 357, 201422

response reading 53. psalms 121.
I lift up my eyes to the hills-- where does my help come from?
My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.
He will not let your foot slip-- he who watches over you will not slumber;
indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.
The LORD watches over you-- the LORD is your shade at your right hand;
the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night.
The LORD will keep you from all harm-- he will watch over your life;
the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.

hymnal 357
1 Encamped along the hills of light, ye Christian soldiers, rise,
And press the battle ere the night shall veil the glowing skies.
Against the foe in vales below let all our strength be hurled;
Faith is the victory, we know, that overcomes the world.
Faith is the victory! Faith is the victory! Oh, glorious victory, that overcomes the world.
2 On every hand the foe we find drawn up in dread array;
let tents of ease be left behind, and onward to the fray.
salvation's helmet on each head, with truth all girt about,
the earth shall tremble 'neath our tread,and echo with our shout
Faith is the victory! Faith is the victory! Oh, glorious victory, that overcomes the world.
3 To him that overcomes the foe white raiment shall be given
Before the angels he shall know His name confess'd in heaven
Then onward from the hills of light. Our hearts with love aflame,
we'll vanquish all the hosts of night in Jesus' conqu'ring name
Faith is the victory! Faith is the victory! Oh, glorious victory, that overcomes the world.

2 Samuel 20:14-22
14 Sheba passed through all the tribes of Israel to Abel Beth Maacah and through the entire region of the Berites, who gathered together and followed him.
15 All the troops with Joab came and besieged Sheba in Abel Beth Maacah. They built a siege ramp up to the city, and it stood against the outer fortifications. While they were battering the wall to bring it down,
16 a wise woman called from the city, "Listen! Listen! Tell Joab to come here so I can speak to him."
17 He went toward her, and she asked, "Are you Joab?" "I am," he answered. She said, "Listen to what your servant has to say." "I'm listening," he said.
18 She continued, "Long ago they used to say, 'Get your answer at Abel,' and that settled it.
19 We are the peaceful and faithful in Israel. You are trying to destroy a city that is a mother in Israel. Why do you want to swallow up the LORD's inheritance?"
20 "Far be it from me!" Joab replied, "Far be it from me to swallow up or destroy!
21 That is not the case. A man named Sheba son of Bicri, from the hill country of Ephraim, has lifted up his hand against the king, against David. Hand over this one man, and I'll withdraw from the city." The woman said to Joab, "His head will be thrown to you from the wall."
22 Then the woman went to all the people with her wise advice, and they cut off the head of Sheba son of Bicri and threw it to Joab. So he sounded the trumpet, and his men dispersed from the city, each returning to his home. And Joab went back to the king in Jerusalem.

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come, your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread,
and forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors,
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.
For yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. amen.