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 02, 2007

I. Readings
Psalms 23, 66, 108
1 Kings 8:22-40
1 Timothy 4:7b-16
John 8:47-59

II. Selections
Psalm 108:1
My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast;
I will sing and make melody.
Awake, my soul!

1 Kings 8:27
" ...But will God indeed dwell on the earth? Even heaven and the highest heaven cannot contain you, much less this house that I have built! ... " [ King Solomon, praying at the dedication of the Temple]

1 Timothy 4:14
Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you through prophecy with the laying on of hands by the council of elders.

John 8:48
The Jews answered [ Jesus], "Are we not right in saying that you are a Samaritan and have a demon?"

III. Meditation: Will God dwell on the earth?

Though there are those
who disdain and disbelieve,
heaven and the highest
heaven cannot contain you.
You have given us gifts;
give us steadfast hearts.

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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