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 10, 2008

I. Readings
Psalms 26, 116, 130
Deuteronomy 3:18-28
Romans 9:19-33
Matthew 24:1-14

II. Selections
Psalm 130:7
O Israel, hope in the LORD!
For with the LORD there is steadfast love,
and with him is great power to redeem.

Deuteronomy 3:23, 25
At that time, too, I entreated the LORD, saying: " ...Let me cross over to see the good land beyond the Jordan, that good hill country and the Lebanon." [ Moses]

Romans 9:20a
But who indeed are you, a human being, to argue with God?

Matthew 24:13
" ...But the one who endures to the end will be saved. ... " [ Jesus to his disciples]

III. Meditation: Who, indeed, are we?

Moses entreated you to let him cross over the Jordan, but you
did not grant his request. Who then are we to argue with you?

Teach us to accept and endure what must be-hoping in you,
and in your steadfast love, and in your great power to redeem.

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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