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 14, 2005

I. Readings
Psalms 19, 81, 113
2 Samuel 17:1-23
Galatians 3:6-14
John 5:30-47

II. Selections
Ps. 19:3
There is no speech, nor are there words;
[ the voice of the heavens and the firmament] is not heard;
yet their voice goes out through all the earth,
and their words to the end of the world.

2 Sam. 17:14
Absalom and all the men of Israel said, "The counsel of Hushai the Archite is better than the counsel of Ahithophel." For the LORD had ordained to defeat the good counsel of Ahithophel, so that the LORD might bring ruin on Absalom.

Galatians 3:14
...in order that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

John 5:36
But I have a testimony greater than John's. The works that the Father has given me to complete, the very works that I am doing, testify on my behalf that the Father has sent me.

III. Meditation: Silent testimony
Creator God, the heavens and the firmament testify to your majesty and goodness. There is no speech, nor are there words; their voice is not heard; yet their voice goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. O Christ, your works testify on your behalf, and that God has sent you. Through you the blessing of Abraham has come to the Gentiles, so that all may receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. Of what value are human words compared to your unspoken testimony? As Absalom learned to his sorrow, even the most esteemed human counsel may prove to be unreliable, motivated by hidden agenda. Open our hearts to your silent testimony.

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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