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.

July 18, 2008

I. Readings
Psalms 51, 65, 142
Joshua 4:19-5:1, 10-15
Romans 12:9-21
Matthew 26:17-25

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

Joshua 5:12
The manna ceased on the day [ the Israelites] ate the produce of the land, and the Israelites no longer had manna; they ate the crops of the land of Canaan that year.

Romans 12:21
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Matthew 26:20-21
When it was evening, [ Jesus] took his place with the twelve; and while they were eating, he said, "Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me."

III. Meditation: Restore the joy of your salvation

When we have lost the joy of your salvation,
the manna has ceased, evil overcomes us,
and we even betray you, O Lord,
sustain in us a willing spirit;
overcome our evil with good.

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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