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.

Sustain in Us a Willing Spirit--Jan. 17, 2020


When in rebellion we harden our hearts,
it must grieve you to your heart, O God.

Restore in us the joy of your salvation,
and sustain in us a willing spirit
to listen for your word
and do whatever
you tell us.

Lectionary Readings
Ps. 51; 148; 142; 65
Gen. 6:1-8
Heb. 3:12-19
John 2:1-12

Selected Verses
Ps. 51:12
Restore to me the joy of your salvation,
          and sustain in me a willing spirit.

Gen. 6:6
And the LORD was sorry that he had made humankind on the earth, and it grieved him to his heart.

Heb. 3:15
As it is said,
“Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.”

John 2:5
[Jesus’] mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” 

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)