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.

Shield Us from False Testimony--Sept. 16, 2013


 We praise you, God, for you are good;
we sing to your name, for you are gracious.

Shield us from the lies and false testimony
of evil powers and from all wickedness.

May our lives bear testimony to Christ,
and may the testimony of others
be a source of strength to us.

Lectionary Readings

Ps. 135; 145; 97; 112
1 Kings 21:1-16
1 Cor. 1:1-19
Matt. 4:1-11

Selected Verses

Ps. 135:3
Praise the LORD, for the LORD is good;
          sing to his name, for he is gracious.

1 Kings 21:9-10
[Jezebel] wrote in the letters, "Proclaim a fast, and seat Naboth at the head of the assembly; seat two scoundrels opposite him, and have them bring a charge against him, saying, 'You have cursed God and the king.' Then take him out, and stone him to death."

1 Cor. 1:6
…just as the testimony of Christ has been strengthened among you…

Matt. 4:9
…and [the devil] said to [Jesus], "All these [kingdoms] I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me."

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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