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.

August 09, 2005

I. Readings
Psalms 42, 102, 133
2 Samuel 14:1-20
Acts 21:1-14
Mark 10:1-16

II. Selections
Ps. 42:11
Why are you cast down, O my soul,
and why are you disquieted within me?
Hope in God; for I shall again praise him,
my help and my God.

2 Sam, 14:19
The king said, "Is the hand of Joab with you in all this?" The woman answered and said, "As surely as you live, my lord the king, one cannot turn right or left from anything that my lord the king has said. For it was your servant Joab who commanded me; it was he who put all these words into the mouth of your servant.

Acts 21:13
Then Paul answered, "What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus."

Mark 10:15
" ...Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it."

III. Meditation: As a little child
Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you disquieted within me? Sometimes like Joab we hatch elaborate schemes to effect our purposes. Whether or not our plots succeed, they do not seem to bring us true happiness. You do not call for sophistication to enter your kingdom, but for a childlike openness. Paul knew the way-for the name of the Lord Jesus, he was ready to be taken prisoner, even to die. We hope in you, for we will again praise you, our help and our God.

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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