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.

For My Stubborn Heart--May 15, 2021


O Most High, I know I have 

a hard forehead and a stubborn heart;

am I so dull in understanding I do not know

how important it is to give you thanks

and praise your name?

 

In your steadfast love and faithfulness

bear with me, stay with me,

and help me live as if

I know you do. 

 

Lectionary Readings

Ps. 92; 149; 23; 114

Ezek. 3:4-17

Heb. 5:7-14

Luke 9:37-50

 

Selected Verses 

Ps. 92:1-2

It is good to give thanks to the LORD,
          to sing praises to your name, O Most High;
to declare your steadfast love in the morning,
          and your faithfulness by night…

 

Ezek. 3:7

But the house of Israel will not listen to you, for they are not willing to listen to me; because all the house of Israel have a hard forehead and a stubborn heart.

 

Heb. 5:11

About this we have much to say that is hard to explain, since you have become dull in understanding.

 

Luke 9:41a

Jesus answered, “You faithless and perverse generation, how much longer must I be with you and bear with you?  …”


Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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