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.

March 01, 2006

I. Readings
Psalms 5, 27, 51
Amos 5:6-15
Hebrews 12:1-14
Luke 18:9-14

II. Selections
Psalm 5:4-5
For you are not a God who delights in wickedness;
evil will not sojourn with you.
The boastful will not stand before your eyes;
you hate all evildoers.

Amos 5:15
Hate evil and love good, and establish justice in the gate; it may be that the LORD, the God of hosts, will be gracious to the remnant of Joseph.

Hebrews 12:11-12
Now, discipline always seems painful rather than pleasant at the time, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees ...

Luke 18:14
" ...I tell you, this man went down to his home justified rather than the other; for all who exalt themselves will be humbled, but all who humble themselves will be exalted."

III. Meditation: Not a God who delights in wickedness
You are not a God who delights in wickedness;
we cannot sojourn with evil and with you.
Teach us to hate evil and love good, and to establish justice.

Forgive our boastfulness;
forgive us when we exalt ourselves;
make us humble.

Lift our drooping hands and strengthen our weak knees;
help us embrace your discipline,
that it may yield the peaceful fruit of righteousness.

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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