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.

No Offering that Does Not Cost--Aug. 27, 2017

[From Aug. 26, 2007]

God of majesty and strength,
God made known to us in Jesus--
light of the world who calls us
to share the light of life,
and who makes us heirs--
your children, not slaves--
to follow him will be costly,
but we would not make you an
offering that costs us nothing.

Lectionary Readings
Ps. 67; 150; 46; 93
2 Sam. 24:1-2, 10-25
Gal. 3:23-4:7
John 8:12-20

Selected Verses
Ps. 93:4
More majestic than the thunders of mighty waters,
            more majestic than the waves of the sea,
            majestic on high is the LORD!

2 Sam. 24:24a
But the king said to Araunah, "No, but I will buy [the oxen for the burnt offering] from you for a price; I will not offer burnt offerings to the LORD my God that cost me nothing."

Gal. 4:7
So you are no longer a slave but a child, and if a child then also an heir, through God.

John 8:12
Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, "I am the light of the world.  Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life."

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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