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.
From the Paw of the Lion, and of the Bear--July 11, 2015

Lord Jesus, your steadfast love is better than life,
you have saved us from the paw of the lion
and from the paw of the bear,
and our lips will praise you.
If even the unclean spirits
obey you, who are we to
question your authority
or to hinder your work?

Lectionary Readings
Ps. 63; 149; 125; 90
1 Sam. 17:31-49
Acts 11:1-18
Mark 1:14-28

Selected Verses
Ps. 63:3
Because your steadfast love is better than life,
          my lips will praise you. 

1 Sam. 17:37a
David said, “The LORD, who saved me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, will save me from the hand of this Philistine.” 

Acts 11:17
"…If then God gave [the Gentiles] the same gift that he gave us when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could hinder God?”  [Peter to the circumcised believers who criticized him]

Mark 1:27b
"…[Jesus] commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.”  [Conversation in the synagogue about Jesus]

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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