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.

When Bone and Flesh Fail Us--August 20, 2010


I. Readings
Psalms 130, 148, 32, 139
Job 2:1-13
Acts 9:1-9
John 6:27-40

II. Selections
Psalm 32:6
Therefore let all who are faithful
      offer prayer to you;
at a time of distress, the rush of mighty waters
      shall not reach them.

Job 2:4-5
Then Satan answered the LORD, “Skin for skin! All that people have they will give to save their lives. But stretch out your hand now and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will curse you to your face.”

Acts 9:5-6
[Saul] asked, “Who are you, Lord?” The reply came, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. But get up and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.”

John 6:33
“…For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world. … ” [Jesus to the crowd]

III. Meditation

When we are about to drown
from the rush of mighty waters,
when bone and flesh fail us,
shall we curse you for our suffering?

Make us faithful as we offer prayer
to you in the time of our distress;
feed us on your bread from heaven
and tell us what we are to do.
Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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