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.

What God?--July 8, 2010


I. Readings
Psalms 116, 147:12-20, 26, 130
Deuteronomy 3:18-28
Romans 9:19-33
Matthew 24:1-14

II. Selections
Psalm 26:11
But as for me, I walk in my integrity;
      redeem me, and be gracious to me.

Deuteronomy 3:23-24
At that time, too, I entreated the LORD, saying: “O Lord GOD, you have only begun to show your servant your greatness and your might; what god in heaven or on earth can perform deeds and mighty acts like yours! … ” [Moses speaking beyond the Jordan to all Israel]

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

Matthew 24:1-2
As Jesus came out of the temple and was going away, his disciples came to point out to him the buildings of the temple. Then he asked them, “You see all these, do you not? Truly I tell you, not one stone will be left here upon another; all will be thrown down.”

III. Meditation

What god in heaven or on
earth can perform deeds
and mighty acts like yours—
beyond our comprehension?

Who am I, a human being,
to argue with you? Or that
I should pretend to walk
in my integrity before you?

Some day all the stones I have
assembled will be thrown down.
You, and only you, will survive.
Redeem me, be gracious to me.
Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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