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.

Schemes of the Wily--August 23, 2010


I. Readings
Psalms 57, 145, 85, 47
Job 4:1; 5:1-11, 17-21, 26-27
Acts 9:19b-31
John 6:52-59

II. Selections
Psalm 57:2
I cry to God Most High,
      to God who fulfills his purpose for me.

Job 5:13
He takes the wise in their own craftiness;
      and the schemes of the wily are brought to a quick end.

Acts 9:31
Meanwhile the church throughout Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and was built up. Living in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it increased in numbers.

John 6:56
“…Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood abide in me, and I in them. … ” [Jesus to those who had complained about him]

III. Meditation

O God Most High,
When I am feeling crafty and wise,
I am usually not in touch with you.
Each wily scheme you bring to a quick
and conclusive end.

When instead I remember to cry out to you,
you fulfill your purpose for me.
Let me so live in fear of you,
and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit,
that I may abide in you and you in me.
Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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