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.

Faith in Spite of Ignorance--August 04, 2010


I. Readings
Psalms 96, 147:1-11, 132, 134
Judges 7:19-8:12
Acts 3:12-26
John 1:29-42

II. Selections
Psalms 96:9
Worship the LORD in holy splendor;
      tremble before him, all the earth.

Judges 7:20
So the three companies blew the trumpets and broke the jars, holding in their left hands the torches, and in their right hands the trumpets to blow; and they cried, “A sword for the LORD and for Gideon!”

Acts 3:16
“…And by faith in [Jesus’] name, his name itself has made this man strong, whom you see and know; and the faith that is through Jesus has given him this perfect health in the presence of all of you. … ” [Peter to the people who had witnessed the healing]

John 1:31
“…I myself did not know him; but I came baptizing with water for this reason, that he might be revealed to Israel.” [John the Baptist, when he saw Jesus coming toward him]

III. Meditation

Gideon thought you wanted men to wield their swords in your cause—
which happened to be his cause, too. Is that the way to worship you?
Is that why people should tremble before you, for fear of the sword?

Gideon’s faith may have been misplaced, but at least it made him strong,
strong like the man whom Peter helped, the man restored to perfect health.

Sometimes we act in faith for what may be the “wrong” reason.
We pray you will use even our ignorance to serve your purpose.
Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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