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.

Why Should We Groan in Fear?--July2, 2016


You have made us, O God,
and we are yours--
your people, and the sheep
of your pasture.

Why should we be afraid
that we shall perish,
or groan in our bondage
to death and decay?

We know the scriptures,
know your power,
and that you will make
your children free.

Lectionary Readings
Ps. 122; 149; 100; 63
Num. 24:12-25
Rom. 8:18-25
Matt. 22:23-40

Selected Verses
Ps. 100:3
 Know that the LORD is God.
          It is he that made us, and we are his;
          we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

Num. 24:12-25
Again [Balaam] uttered his oracle, saying: "Alas, who shall live when God does this?  But ships shall come from Kittim and shall afflict Asshur and Eber; and he also shall perish forever."

Rom. 8:21
…that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and will obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. 

Matt. 22:29
Jesus answered [the Sadducees], "You are wrong, because you know neither the scriptures nor the power of God.  …"

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