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.

Lest We Deny and Forsake You--Sept. 3, 2013


 When pursuers assail us with harsh accusations,
make our faith active along with our works;
lest we, like Peter, deny you, Lord Jesus,
and so forsake also the Lord our God.

Lectionary Readings

Ps. 12; 146; 36; 7
1 Kings 8:65-9:9
James 2:14-26
Mark 14:66-72

Selected Verses

Ps. 7:1
O LORD my God, in you I take refuge;
          save me from all my pursuers, and deliver me…

1 Kings 9:8-9a
"…This house will become a heap of ruins; everyone passing by it will be astonished, and will hiss; and they will say, ‘Why has the LORD done such a thing to this land and to this house?’  Then they will say, ‘Because they have forsaken the LORD their God…'"  [The LORD to Solomon]

James 2:22
You see that faith was active along with [Abraham's] works, and faith was brought to completion by the works.

Mark 14:71
But [Peter] began to curse, and he swore an oath, “I do not know this man [Jesus] you are talking about.”

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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