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.


Looking for Donkeys, Sifted by Satan--June 24, 2011


Young Saul went out to search for his father’s lost donkeys;
he found your prophet, Samuel, who changed his life.
Help us live with our hearts open to your leading,
that your will for us may come into our hearts
and that we may act upon it when it comes.

After Peter had been sifted by Satan,
he confessed his transgressions,
and you forgave the guilt of his sin.
Peter turned back to you, and was able
to strengthen his brothers and sisters in faith.


Lectionary Readings
Ps. 130; 148; 32; 139
1 Samuel 9:1-14
Acts 7:17-29
Luke 22:31-38

Selected Verses
Ps. 32:5
Then I acknowledged my sin to you,
      and I did not hide my iniquity;
I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD,”
      and you forgave the guilt of my sin.             Selah

1 Samuel 9:5-6a
When they came to the land of Zuph, Saul said to the boy who was with him, “Let us turn back, or my father will stop worrying about the donkeys and worry about us.” But he said to him, “There is a man of God in this town…”

Acts 7:23
“When [Moses] was forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his relatives, the Israelites. …” [Stephen before the council, telling the story of Moses]

Luke 22:31
“Simon, Simon, listen! Satan has demanded to sift all of you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your own faith may not fail; and you, when once you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” [Jesus to Simon Peter]
Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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