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.

January 18, 2008

I. Readings
Psalms 51, 65, 142
Genesis 6:1-8
Hebrews 3:12-19
John 2:1-12

II. Selections
Psalm 51:12
Restore to me the joy of your salvation,
and sustain in me a willing spirit.

Genesis 6:5
The LORD saw that the wickedness of humankind was great in the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of their hearts was only evil continually.

Hebrews 3:12
Take care, brothers and sisters, that none of you may have an evil, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God.

John 2:7
Jesus said to [ the servants at the wedding feast], "Fill the jars with water." And they filled them up to the brim.

III. Meditation: Up to the brim

Jesus told the servants at the wedding feast to fill
the jars with water, and they filled them to the brim.

Fill our hearts to the brim with your living water;
wash away wickedness and the inclination to evil.

Turn our hearts back to you, restore the joy of
your salvation, and sustain in us a willing spirit.

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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