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 17, 2008

I. Readings
Psalms 4, 15, 48
Job 42:1-17
Acts 16:16-24
John 12:20-26

II. Selections
Psalm 15:1-2
O LORD, who may abide in your tent?
Who may dwell on your holy hill?
Those who walk blamelessly, and do what is right,
and speak the truth from their heart ...

Job 42:1-2
Then Job answered the LORD:
"I know that you can do all things,
and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted. ... "

Acts 16:17
While [ the slave girl] followed Paul and us, she would cry out, "These men are slaves of the Most High God, who proclaim to you a way of salvation."

John 12:26

" ...Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there will my servant be also. Whoever serves me the Father will honor. ... " [ Jesus to Andrew and Philip]

III. Meditation: To abide with you

O God Most High,
you can do all things; no purpose of yours can be thwarted.
We read that to abide with you we must walk blamelessly,
and do what is right, and speak the truth from our heart;
but on our own resources the goal is impossible to reach.
Make us your slaves, that we may be servants of Jesus,
and follow him, and be where he is and where you are.
In his name.

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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