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.

Puffed Up or Built Up?--Oct. 2, 2013


 The gate is narrow,
the road is hard
that leads to life,
and there are few who find it;
on what, then, do we base our confidence?

On our knowledge?  Knowledge is important,
but not sufficient.  Knowledge puffs up.
You take pleasure in those who fear you,
in those who hope in your steadfast love.
Love builds up.

Lectionary Readings

Ps. 96; 147:1-11; 132; 134
2 Kings 18:9-25
1 Cor. 8:1-13
Matt. 7:13-21

Selected Verses

Ps. 147:11
…but the LORD takes pleasure in those who fear him,
          in those who hope in his steadfast love.

2 Kings 18:19
The Rabshakeh said to [the king's representatives], "Say to Hezekiah: Thus says the great king, the king of Assyria: On what do you base this confidence of yours?  …"

1 Cor. 8:1b
Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up.

Matt. 7:13-21
"…For the gate is narrow and the road is hard that leads to life, and there are few who find it. … "

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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