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.

Your Power and Truth, Our Giving--August 30, 2010


I. Readings
Psalms 62, 145, 73, 9
Job 12:1-6, 13-25
Acts 11:19-30
John 8:21-32

II. Selections
Psalm 9:2
I will be glad and exult in you;
      I will sing praise to your name, O Most High.

Job 12:23
“…[God] makes nations great, then destroys them;
      he enlarges nations, then leads them away. … ”
[Job answers Zophar the Naamathite]

Acts 11:29-30
The disciples [in Antioch] determined that according to their ability, each would send relief to the believers living in Judea; this they did, sending it to the elders by Barnabas and Saul.

John 8:26
“…I have much to say about you and much to condemn; but the one who sent me is true, and I declare to the world what I have heard from him.” [Jesus to the Pharisees]

III. Meditation

O Most High,

We recognize your power, that you are able
to make nations great and then destroy them.
(This may be happening to us, for there is
much to say about us and much to condemn.)

We know also that you are true, for which we
are glad; we exult in you and sing your praise.
In your power and truth, according to our ability,
help us share our resources with those in need.
Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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