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.

If You Hide Your Face--Aug. 19, 2014

[From Aug. 21, 2012 

We don't need you, God. 
We are able to spy out the land 
for ourselves and find what we need. 
In our prosperity we are comfortable, safe; 
yes, we are established like a strong mountain. 

Then you hide your face, and we are dismayed. 
We have been seeking glory from others, 
not the glory that comes from you. 
What would we do if severe 
persecution came? 

Lectionary Readings 
Ps. 123; 146; 30; 86 
Judg. 18:1-15 
Acts 8:1-13 
John 5:30-47 

Selected Verses 
Ps. 30:6-7 
As for me, I said in my prosperity,
          “I shall never be moved.”
By your favor, O LORD,
          you had established me as a strong mountain;
you hid your face;
          I was dismayed. 

Judg. 18:2a 
So the Danites sent five valiant men from the whole number of their clan, from Zorah and from Eshtaol, to spy out the land and to explore it; and they said to them, "Go, explore the land.” 

Acts 8:1b 
That day a severe persecution began against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout the countryside of Judea and Samaria. 

John 5:44 

"…How can you believe when you accept glory from one another and do not seek the glory that comes from the one who alone is God?  …"  [Jesus to those who wanted to kill him]
Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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