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.

To Spread Our Troubles before You--Oct. 4, 2013


 In your sight we are poor and needy, O God,
unworthy to have you come under our roof;
yet we dare spread our troubles before you.

Take thought for us, our help and deliverer,
that we may run the race you set before us.

Lectionary Readings

Ps. 84; 148; 25; 40
2 Kings 19:1-20
1 Cor. 9:16-27
Matt. 8:1-17

Selected Verses

Ps. 40:17
As for me, I am poor and needy,
          but the Lord takes thought for me.
You are my help and my deliverer;
          do not delay, O my God.

2 Kings 19:14
Hezekiah received the letter from the hand of the messengers and read it; then Hezekiah went up to the house of the LORD and spread it before the LORD.

1 Cor. 9:24
Do you not know that in a race the runners all compete, but only one receives the prize?  Run in such a way that you may win it.

Matt. 8:8
The centurion answered [Jesus], "Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof; but only speak the word, and my servant will be healed.  …"

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

2 comments:

  1. Mea SententiaOctober 4, 2013 at 1:37 PM

    My effort:

    You touched my hand
    with your love,
    and I got up to serve you.
    You recruited me for your cause.
    Now I spread out my needs
    for you to see.
    I make progress on pilgrimage
    and find happiness in your love.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Elmer E. EwingOctober 7, 2013 at 12:13 AM

    Good as always, Chris. Sorry to be slow in responding--I receive so few comments that I tend not to notice when one has been posted.

    ReplyDelete

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