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.

Turned Upside Down--Aug. 4, 2017

[From July 29, 2011 archive]

For the sake of your people
you were good to David.
For the sake of the world
your people turn it upside down.

Thus you work among us,
not because we deserve it,
but because you love us
and love the world we live in.

Often you work among us
before we are even aware.
Answer us in the day of trouble;
in your good name, protect us.

Lectionary Readings
Ps. 88; 148; 6; 20
2 Sam. 5:1-12
Acts 17:1-15
Mark 7:24-37

Selected Verses
Ps. 20:1
The LORD answer you in the day of trouble!
          The name of the God of Jacob protect you!

2 Sam. 5:12
David then perceived that the LORD had established him king over Israel, and that he had exalted his kingdom for the sake of his people Israel.

Acts 17:6-7
When [those who had become jealous of Paul and Silas] could not find them, they dragged Jason and some believers before the city authorities, shouting, “These people who have been turning the world upside down have come here also, and Jason has entertained them as guests.  They are all acting contrary to the decrees of the emperor, saying that there is another king named Jesus.”

Mark 7:30
So [the Syrophoenician woman] went home, found the child lying on the bed, and the demon gone.

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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