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 19, 2007

I. Readings
Psalms 19, 81, 113
2 Samuel 17:1-23
Galatians 3:6-14
John 5:30-47

II. Selections
Psalm 113:4
The LORD is high above all nations,
and his glory above the heavens.

2 Samuel 17:14b
For the LORD had ordained to defeat the good counsel of Ahithophel, so that the LORD might bring ruin on Absalom.

Galatians 3:14
...in order that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

John 5:40
" ...Yet you refuse to come to me to have life. ... " [ Jesus to his critics]

III. Meditation: High above all nations

You are high above all nations,
and your glory is above the heavens.

Mortals may plot and contrive,
but you work your will in spite of them.

In Christ Jesus all may receive your blessing,
and through lives of faith receive your Spirit.

Forbid that we should refuse
to come to you to have life.

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)