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.

While Nations Are in an Uproar--June 30, 2013


 God, you give life to the dead and call
into existence the things that do not exist;

nations are in an uproar, and kingdoms totter,
while many who claim to be leaders say
they do not know how to answer;

be with your people and help us
interpret the signs you provide,
that we may be faithful to you.

Lectionary Readings

Ps. 67; 150; 46; 93
1 Sam. 10:1-16
Rom. 4:13-25
Matt. 21:23-32

Selected Verses

Ps. 46:6a
The nations are in an uproar, the kingdoms totter…

1 Sam. 10:17
"…Now when these signs meet you, do whatever you see fit to do, for God is with you.   …"  [Samuel to Saul]

Rom. 4:17b
…in the presence of the God in whom [Abraham] believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist.

Matt. 21:27a
So [the chief priests and the elders] answered Jesus, “We do not know.”

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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