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.

Unbind Us, Lord--March 6, 2021


Lord Jesus Christ, 

our stubborn and rebellious hearts 

have caused us to turn aside from you. 

 

We have bound ourselves with fetters 

and chains of iron that keep 

us apart from you.

 

In our time we cannot free ourselves, 

but in your time your grace 

will redeem us.

 

Lectionary Readings

Ps. 43; 149; 31; 143

Jer. 5:20-31

Rom. 3:19-31

John 7:1-13

 

Selected Verses 

Ps. 149:8

…to bind their kings with fetters
          and their nobles with chains of iron…

 

Jer. 5:23

But this people has a stubborn and rebellious heart;
          they have turned aside and gone away.

 

Rom. 3:23

…since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God; they are now justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus…

 

John 7:6

Jesus said to [his brothers], “My time has not yet come, but your time is always here.  …”


Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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