Scripture readings:

Galatians 2:15–21

We ourselves are Jews by birth and not Gentile sinners; yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified. But if, in our endeavor to be justified in Christ, we too were found to be sinners, is Christ then a servant of sin? Certainly not! For if I rebuild what I tore down, I prove myself to be a transgressor. For through the law I died to the law, so that I might live to God. I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness were through the law, then Christ died for no purpose.

Psalm 44:1–8

O God, we have heard with our ears, 
our fathers have told us, 
what deeds you performed in their days, 
in the days of old: 
you with your own hand drove out the nations, 
but them you planted; 
you afflicted the peoples, 
but them you set free; 
for not by their own sword did they win the land, 
nor did their own arm save them, 
but your right hand and your arm, 
and the light of your face, 
for you delighted in them. 

You are my King, O God; 
ordain salvation for Jacob! 

Through you we push down our foes; 
through your name we tread down those who rise up against us. 
For not in my bow do I trust, 
nor can my sword save me. 
But you have saved us from our foes 
and have put to shame those who hate us. 
In God we have boasted continually, 
and we will give thanks to your name forever. Selah 

 The Holy Bible: English Standard Version, (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016).