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.

In the Presence of My Enemies--June 7, 2014


God, be with me in the presence of my enemies.
Replace my heart of stone that scoffs at you
with a heart of flesh that welcomes you in.

Temptations are with me always--make me
strong in you and in the strength of your power.
Anoint me with your oil; put your Spirit within me.

Lectionary Readings
Ps. 92; 149; 23; 114
Ezek. 36:22-27
Eph. 6:1-24
Matt. 9:18-26

Selected Verses
Ps. 23:5
You prepare a table before me
          in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
          my cup overflows. 

Ezek. 36:26
A new heart I will give you, and a new spirit I will put within you; and I will remove from your body the heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.  [The Lord GOD speaking through the prophet to Israel] 

Eph. 6:10
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his power. 

Matt. 9:24
…[Jesus] said [to the crowd], "Go away; for the girl is not dead but sleeping."  And they laughed at him. 
Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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