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.

September 28, 2005

I. Readings
Psalms 96, 132, 134, 147:1-11
2 Kings 18:9-25
1 Corinthians 8:1-13
Matthew 7:13-21

II. Selections
Ps. 96:9
Worship the LORD in holy splendor;
tremble before him, all the earth.

2 Kings 18:19
The Rabshakeh said to them, "Say to Hezekiah: Thus says the great king, the king of Assyria: On what do you base this confidence of yours?

1 Cor. 8:1b-3
Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. Anyone who claims to know something does not yet have the necessary knowledge; but anyone who loves God is known by him.

Matt. 7:13
"Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the road is easy that leads to destruction, and there are many who take it. ..."

III. Meditation: What do we know?
We worship you in holy splendor; let all the earth tremble before you, for apart from you we know nothing. Those who are impressed with their own greatness challenge us, asking what basis we have for our confidence. We have no basis, except in your love. Knowledge puffs up, but your love builds up, and anyone who loves you is known by you. Therefore, lead us through the narrow gate on the hard road; for the gate is wide and the road is easy that leads to destruction, and there are many who take it. Let all the earth tremble before you.

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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