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.

August 02, 2007

I. Readings
Psalms 81, 116, 143
2 Samuel 4:1-12
Acts 16:25-40
Mark 7:1-23

II. Selections
Psalm 81:10
I am the LORD your God,
who brought you up out of the land of Egypt.
Open your mouth wide and I will fill it.

2 Samuel 4:1
When Saul's son Ishbaal heard that Abner had died at Hebron, his courage failed, and all Israel was dismayed.

Acts 16:40
After leaving the prison [ Paul and Silas] went to Lydia's home; and when they had seen and encouraged the brothers and sisters there, they departed.

Mark 7:21a
" ...For it is from within, from the human heart, that evil intentions come ... " [ Jesus to his disciples]

III. Meditation: Courage

Great evils come from the human heart;
one such evil is discouragement.
When courage fails, dismay is contagious.

We should not be discouraged,
for you brought us out of Egypt;
you bid us open our mouths to be filled.

Help us follow the example of Silas and Paul,
who depended on you for their courage,
and who preached encouragement to all.

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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