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.

Like Chaff that the Wind Drives Away--Oct. 5, 2016


Forgetting that you, O God, are our Maker,
we use our wealth to build palaces
and try to protect ourselves
in fortified cities.
We put on fine
clothes and live in luxury.
We are like chaff that the wind
drives away.  Soldiers act according
to the instructions they receive;
can we not live according
to your instructions?

Lectionary Readings
Ps. 89:1-18; 147:1-11; 1; 33
Hosea 8:1-14
Acts 23:23-35
Luke 7:18-35
           
Selected Verses
Ps. 1:4
The wicked are not so,
          but are like chaff that the wind drives away. 

Hosea 8:14
Israel has forgotten his Maker, and built palaces; and Judah has multiplied fortified cities; but I will send a fire upon his cities, and it shall devour his strongholds.

Acts 23:31
So the soldiers, according to their instructions, took Paul and brought him during the night to Antipatris. 

Luke 7:25
"…What then did you go out to see?  Someone dressed in soft robes?  Look, those who put on fine clothing and live in luxury are in royal palaces.  …"  [Jesus to the crowds]

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