I am an emeritus professor from Cornell University and was a Commissioned Lay Preacher in the Presbyterian Church (USA). For many years I have followed the Daily Lectionary as printed in the Mission Yearbook of my church. For each day of a two-year cycle, the lectionary lists four psalms and three other scriptural passages--usually one from the Old Testament and two from the New Testament. My practice is to copy down a verse or two from one of the psalms and from each of the other three passages. After I have written out all four selections, I reflect upon them, rearrange their order, and incorporate them into a meditation. Sometimes I retain much of the original wording; sometimes all that remains of a selection is an idea that was stimulated when I read the original words. All selections are from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible. For the Daily Lectionary, see the link below.

Glory Be to Whom?--Sept. 16, 2016


Your name alone is exalted, O God--
your glory is above earth and heaven.
But to say this is to turn the world upside
down, for earthly authorities love to receive
glory, and to display their splendor and pomp.
They brook no competition, not even from you.
But I am no different, only less powerful.
I soak up praise and glory as a sponge
soaks up water.  Forgive me--
the glory belongs to you.

Lectionary Readings
Ps. 130, 148, 32, 139
Esth. 1:1-4, 10-19
Acts 17:1-15
John 12:36b-43
           
Selected Verses
Ps. 148:13
Let them praise the name of the LORD,
          for his name alone is exalted;
          his glory is above earth and heaven. 

Esth. 1:4
…while [the king] displayed the great wealth of his kingdom and the splendor and pomp of his majesty for many days, one hundred eighty days in all.

Acts 17:6-7
When [the mob] could not find [Paul and Silas], they dragged Jason and some believers before the city authorities, shouting, "These people who have been turning the world upside down have come here also, and Jason has entertained them as guests.  They are all acting contrary to the decrees of the emperor, saying that there is another king named Jesus."

John 12:43
…for [the authorities who believed in Jesus] loved human glory more than the glory that comes from God.
Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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