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.

Crack of Whip, Rumble of Wheel--Oct. 29, 2010


I. Readings
Psalms 84, 148, 25, 40
Nahum 2:13-3:7
Revelation 13:1-10
Luke 12:13-31

II. Selections
Psalm 25:5
Lead me in your truth, and teach me,
      for you are the God of my salvation;
      for you I wait all day long.

Nahum 3:2
The crack of whip and rumble of wheel,
      galloping horse and bounding chariot!

Revelation 13:3b-4
In amazement the whole earth followed the beast. They worshiped the dragon, for he had given his authority to the beast, and they worshiped the beast, saying, “Who is like the beast, and who can fight against it?”

Luke 12:20
“…But God said to [the rich man], ‘You fool! This very night your life is being demanded of you. And the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ … ” [Jesus to the crowd]

III. Meditation

Lead us in your truth, teach us,
lest we follow the beast,

for we hear crack of whip and rumble of wheel,
see galloping horse and bounding chariot;

and we are fascinated by evil,
attracted by its power, greedy for its promises.

Though evil may seem irresistible,
do not permit us to surrender to its power.

Of what value the things we gain from evil
when you demand our life from us?

Give us strength to wait for you,
O God of our salvation; the victory belongs to you.
Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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