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 24, 2008

I. Readings
Psalms 65, 91, 125
Esther 6:1-14
Acts 19:1-10
Luke 4:1-13

II. Selections
Psalms 125:3
For the scepter of wickedness shall not rest
on the land allotted to the righteous.

Esther 6:1
On that night the king could not sleep, and he gave orders to bring the book of records, the annals, and they were read to the king.

Acts 19:8
[ Paul] entered the synagogue and for three months spoke out boldly, and argued persuasively about the kingdom of God.

Luke 4:5-6
Then the devil led [ Jesus] up and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. And the devil said to him, "To you I will give their glory and all this authority; for it has been given over to me, and I will give it to anyone I please. ... "

III. Meditation: Kingdoms

Lord, Jesus refused to use evil authority to attain good ends;
help us remember the difference between your kingdom
and the kingdoms of this world, that we may resist
the scepter of wickedness but lend our support
to those authorities who try to rule justly.
In his name, who is the King of kings.

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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