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.

April 21, 2007

Psalms 23, 92, 114
Daniel 3:19-30
1 John 3:11-18
Luke 4:1-13

II. Selections
Psalm 92:4
For you, O LORD, have made me glad by your work;
at the works of your hands I sing for joy.

Daniel 3:9
" ...Therefore I make a decree: Any person, nation, or language that utters blasphemy against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego shall be torn limb from limb, and their houses laid in ruins; for there is no other god who is able to deliver in this way." [ Nebuchadnezzar]

1 John 3:18
Little children, let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action.

Luke 4:12
Jesus answered [ the devil], "It is said, 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test.' "

III. Meditation: In truth and action

There are some who feel the need
to protect you from blasphemers,
even tearing them limb from limb.

Others try to test you, supposing
they can build themselves up by
pulling you down to their level.

Take from us all such sinfulness;
let us simply be glad in your work
and honor you by loving each other.

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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