Lessons Bread of Life 8 August 2020

Job 38:4–18

₄[The Lord said to Job:] “Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth?

Tell me, if you have understanding.

₅Who determined its measurements —surely you know! Or who stretched the line upon it?

₆On what were its bases sunk,

or who laid its cornerstone,

₇when the morning stars sang together

and all the sons of God shouted for joy?

₈“Or who shut in the sea with doors

when it burst out from the womb,

₉when I made clouds its garment

and thick darkness its swaddling band,

₁₀and prescribed limits for it

and set bars and doors,

₁₁and said, ‘Thus far shall you come, and no farther, and here shall your proud waves be stayed’?

₁₂“Have you commanded the morning since your days began, and caused the dawn to know its place,

₁₃that it might take hold of the skirts of the earth, and the wicked be shaken out of it?

₁₄It is changed like clay under the seal, and its features stand out like a garment.

₁₅From the wicked their light is withheld,

and their uplifted arm is broken.

₁₆“Have you entered into the springs of the sea, or walked in the recesses of the deep?

₁₇Have the gates of death been revealed to you, or have you seen the gates of deep darkness?

₁₈Have you comprehended the expanse of the earth? Declare, if you know all this.”

Psalm 18:1–6

The Lord Is My Rock and My Fortress

₁I | love you,*

O | Lord, my strength.

₂The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my de- | liverer,*

my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge,

my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my | stronghold.

₃I call upon the Lord,

who is worthy | to be praised,*

and I am saved from my | enemies.

₄The cords of death en- | compassed me;*

the torrents of destruction as- | sailed me;

₅the cords of Sheol en- | tangled me;*

the snares of death con- | fronted me.

₆In my distress I called upon the Lord;

to my God I | cried for help.*

From his temple he heard my voice,

and my cry to him | reached his ears.

Romans 10:5–17

         ₅Moses writes about the righteousness that is based on the law, that the person who does the commandments shall live by them. ₆But the righteousness based on faith says, “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’” (that is, to bring Christ down) ₇or “‘Who will descend into the abyss?’” (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). ₈But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); ₉because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. ₁₀For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. ₁₁For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” ₁₂For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. ₁₃For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

         ₁₄But how are they to call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? ₁₅And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” ₁₆But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?” ₁₇So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.

Matthew 14:22–33

         ₂₂Immediately [Jesus] made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. ₂₃And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, ₂₄but the boat by this time was a long way from the land, beaten by the waves, for the wind was against them. ₂₅And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. ₂₆But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, “It is a ghost!” and they cried out in fear. ₂₇But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.”

         ₂₈And Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” ₂₉He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. ₃₀But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.” ₃₁Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” ₃₂And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. ₃₃And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”