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.

To Whom, Except to You?--August 24, 2010


I. Readings
Psalms 54, 146, 28, 99
Job 6:1-4, 8-15, 21
Acts 9:32-43
John 6:60-71

II. Selections
Psalm 28:2
Hear the voice of my supplication,
      as I cry to you for help,
as I lift up my hands
      towards your most holy sanctuary.

Job 6:11
“…What is my strength, that I should wait?
      And what is my end, that I should be patient? … ”
[Job, in answer to his three friends]

Acts 9:40
Peter put all of [the widows] outside, and then he knelt down and prayed. He turned to the body and said, “Tabitha, get up.” Then she opened her eyes, and seeing Peter, she sat up.

John 6:66-68a
Because of this many of his disciples turned back and no longer went about with him. So Jesus asked the twelve, “Do you also wish to go away?” Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom can we go? … ”

III. Meditation

Do I have the strength to wait?
Have I patience to endure what is in store?
Hear the voice of my supplication
as I lift up my hands and cry to you for help.

To whom can I go, except to you?
Help me put outside all that distracts me,
that I may kneel before you
and find you and do your will.
Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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