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 Slaughter Is Terrible--June 20, 2015


Today many are surrounded by armies;
they know that desolation has come near, and
great fear seizes them, and the slaughter is terrible.

How can your purpose be fulfilled in such horror?
O God, if your steadfast love endures forever,
do not forsake the work of your hands.

Lectionary Readings
Ps. 104; 149; 138; 98
1 Sam. 4:1b-11
Acts 4:32-5:11
Luke 21:20-28

Selected Verses
Ps. 138:8
The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me;
          your steadfast love, O LORD, endures forever.
          Do not forsake the work of your hands.

1 Sam. 4:10
So the Philistines fought; Israel was defeated, and they fled, everyone to his home. There was a very great slaughter, for there fell of Israel thirty thousand foot soldiers. 

Acts 5:11
And great fear seized the whole church and all who heard of these things.

Luke 21:20
“When you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation has come near.  …"  [Jesus to his disciples]
Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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