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.

If Not Earthly Things, Then Not Heavenly--March 16, 2011


Great God, abundant in power,
your understanding is beyond measure.

We do not even understand earthly things—
how can we hope to comprehend heavenly things?

Why, then, are we so quick to turn away from your commands?
Forgive our unbelieving hearts that turn away from you, the living God.


Lectionary Readings
Ps. 5; 147:1-11; 27; 51
Deut. 9:13-21
Heb. 3:12-19
John 2:23-3:15

Selected Verses
Ps. 147:5
Great is the Lord, and abundant in power;
      his understanding is beyond measure.

Deut. 9:16b
…you had been quick to turn from the way that the LORD had commanded you.

Heb. 3:12
Take care, brothers and sisters, that none of you may have an evil, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God.

John 3:12
“…If I have told you about earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you about heavenly things? …”
Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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