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.

Holding Leviathan by the Tail?--Sept. 18, 2012




What can I accomplish in opposition to you?
Just when I am satisfied with all
I have done in my own strength,
you show me how little it means.

I thought I was holding Leviathan by the tail,
but I learned otherwise.

There is nothing in life that matters,
except to follow you;
there is nothing I can achieve,
except what comes
when I do.

Lectionary Readings

Ps. 123; 146; 30; 86
Job 40:1, 41:1-11
Acts 16:6-15
John 12:9-19

 

Selected Verses

Ps. 30:7
By your favor, O LORD,
          you had established me as a strong mountain;
you hid your face;
          I was dismayed.

Job 41:11
"…Who can confront [Leviathan] and be safe? --under the whole heaven, who?  …"  [The LORD to Job]

Acts 16:7-8
When [Paul and Timothy] had come opposite Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them; so, passing by Mysia, they went down to Troas.

John 12:19
The Pharisees then said to one another, "You see, you can do nothing.  Look, the world has gone after him!"
Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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