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.

When I Strain out a Gnat and Swallow a Camel--Dec. 9, 2021

[From Dec. 12, 2013 archive]

 

When I strain out a gnat and swallow a camel,  

shake me, O God, as one shakes with 

a sieve, until I listen to what 

your Spirit is saying.

 

Reach down from 

on high and take me; 

draw me out of mighty waters. 

 

Lectionary Readings

Ps. 18:1-20; 147:12-20; 126; 62

Amos 9:1-10

Rev. 2:8-17

Matt. 23:13-26

 

Selected Verses

Ps. 18:16

[The LORD] reached down from on high, he took me;

            he drew me out of mighty waters. 

 

Amos 9:9 

For lo, I will command, 

            and shake the house of Israel among all the nations

as one shakes with a sieve,

            but no pebble shall fall to the ground. 

 

Rev. 2:11a 

Let anyone who has an ear listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches. 

 

Matt. 23:24 

“…You blind guides!  You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel!  …”  [Jesus to the scribes and Pharisees]


Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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