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.

Your Name Alone Exalted--July 1, 2022

[From July 6, 2018 archive]

 

We praise your name, O God, 

for your name alone is exalted;

your glory is above earth and heaven.

 

Teach us to give you the things that are yours,

and help us remember that yours is the glory. 

 

May your Spirit bear witness with our spirit 

that we are your children, joint heirs with Christ,

who taught us to bless our enemies, not to curse them.

 

Lectionary Readings

Ps. 88; 148; 6; 20

Numb. 24:1-13

Rom. 8:12-17

Matt. 22:15-22

 

Selected Verses 

Ps. 148:13

Let them praise the name of the LORD, 
          for his name alone is exalted; 
          his glory is above earth and heaven

 

Num. 24:10

Then Balak's anger was kindled against Balaam, and he struck his hands together.  Balak said to Balaam, "I summoned you to curse my enemies, but instead you have blessed them these three times.  …”

 

Rom. 8:15b-17

When we cry, “Abba! Father!” it is that very Spirit bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ--if, in fact, we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him.

 

Matt. 22:21b

Then [Jesus said to those who wanted to trap him], “Give therefore to the emperor the things that are the emperor's, and to God the things that are God's.” 


Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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