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.

Why Should We Harden our Hearts?--June 25, 2013


 Lord Jesus, why should we harden our hearts?
Peter and John went as you had told them;
they found everything as you had said.

Teach us your way, to walk in your truth;
give us an undivided heart, to revere your name;
and fill us with your Holy Spirit, to be your witnesses.

Lectionary Readings

Ps. 123; 146; 30; 86
1 Sam. 6:1-16
Acts 5:27-42
Luke 21:37-22:13

Selected Verses

Ps. 86:11
Teach me your way, O LORD,
          that I may walk in your truth;
          give me an undivided heart to revere your name.

1 Sam. 6:6a
"…Why should you harden your hearts as the Egyptians and Pharaoh hardened their hearts?  …"  [Their priests and diviners, advising the Philistines]

Acts 5:32
"…And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him.”  [Peter and the apostles to the high priest]

Luke 22:13
So [Peter and John] went and found everything as [Jesus] had told them; and they prepared the Passover meal.

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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