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 Me A Willing Spirit--Jan. 14, 2022

[From Jan. 17, 2020 archive]

 

When in rebellion we harden our hearts, 

it must grieve you to your heart, O God. 

 

Restore in me the joy of your salvation,

and sustain in me a willing spirit

to listen for your word 

and do whatever

you tell me.

 

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)