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.

My Stubborn Heart--Aug. 15, 2021

[From Aug. 20, 2017 archive]

 

I find I like to do things on my own, O Jesus;

it is hard for me to seek your will and do it,

and I am disappointed when others do not 

follow my advice--that hurts my ego. 

 

Forgive my stubborn heart and my desire 

to have others adhere to my counsel. 

Give me the Spirit through faith,

that I may ever seek your will  

and walk in your ways.

 

Lectionary Readings

Ps. 19; 150; 81; 113

2 Sam. 17:1-23

Gal. 3:6-14

John 5:30-47

 

Selected Verses 

Ps. 81:12-13

So I gave [my people] over to their stubborn hearts, 
          to follow their own counsels. 
O that my people would listen to me, 
          that Israel would walk in my ways! 

 

2 Sam. 17:23

When Ahithophel saw that his counsel was not followed, he saddled his donkey and went off home to his own city.  He set his house in order, and hanged himself; he died and was buried in the tomb of his father.

 

Gal. 3:14

…in order that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

 

John 5:30

“I can do nothing on my own.  As I hear, I judge; and my judgment is just, because I seek to do not my own will but the will of him who sent me.  …” [Jesus, to his critics in the temple]

 

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