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.

July 18, 2005

I. Readings
Psalms 97, 112, 135
1 Samuel 24:1-22
Acts 13:44-52
Mark 4:1-20

II. Selections
Ps. 97:3
Fire goes before him,
and consumes his adversaries on every side.

1 Sam. 24:19a
" ...For who has ever found an enemy, and sent the enemy safely away? ..." [ King Saul to David]

Acts 13:51
So [ Paul and Barnabas] shook the dust off their feet in protest against them, and went to Iconium.

Mark 4:3
"Listen! A sower went out to sow. ..."

III. Meditation: Dealing with our adversaries
The psalmist says that fire goes before you, and consumes your adversaries on every side; but that is not the way you want us to deal with our adversaries. Paul and Barnabas shook the dust off their feet in protest against their adversaries, and went to another city. David had King Saul in his power, yet sent his enemy safely away. Sow your seed of love and forgiveness in our hearts, even for our adversaries.

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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