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.


The Strength of Our Hearts--Sept. 26, 2011

We notice that the present form of our world
is passing away; and we worry,
though we keep serving our own gods.

You urge us not to worry,
for you are the strength of our hearts
and our portion forever.

Lectionary Readings
Ps. 62; 145; 73; 9
2 Kings 17:24-41
1 Cor. 7:25-31
Matt. 6:25-34

Selected Verses
Ps. 73:26
My flesh and my heart may fail,
      but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

2 Kings 17:33
So [the new settlers in Samaria] worshiped the LORD but also served their own gods, after the manner of the nations from among whom they had been carried away.

1 Cor. 7:31b
For the present form of this world is passing away.

Matt. 6:34
"…So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today’s trouble is enough for today. …” [Jesus, sitting on the mountain]
Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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