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.

July 24, 2005

I. Readings
Psalms 46, 67, 93
2 Samuel 1:17-27
Romans 12:9-21
Matthew 25:31-46

II. Selections
Ps. 46:4-5a
There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
the holy habitation of the Most High.
God is in the midst of the city; it shall not be moved ...

2 Sam. 1:27
How the mighty have fallen, and the weapons of war perished!

Rom. 12:12-13
Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints; extend hospitality to strangers.

Matt. 25:44
" ...Then they also will answer, 'Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not take care of you?' ..."

III. Meditation: A river to make us glad
Lord, your love is a mighty river to make us glad, but also a mighty current of judgment on us. When we depend upon physical prowess or positions of power rather than upon you, we shall fall and perish with our weapons. When we see the hungry or thirsty or stranger or naked or sick or prisoner and do not see you, we are under your judgment. Grant that we may rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, and persevere in prayer, so that we may be instruments of your love for all who are in need.

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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