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.

Forever, O God--July 15, 2015


Your counsel stands forever, O God;
the thoughts of your heart to all generations,
but the counsel of the nations amounts to nothing.
The day came when the bridegroom was taken away,
and there was but a step between him and death;
still your word has continued to advance.

Lectionary Readings
Ps. 89:1-18; 147:1-11; 1; 33
1 Sam. 20:1-23
Acts 12:18-25
Mark 2:13-22

Selected Verses
Ps. 33:10-11
The LORD brings the counsel of the nations to nothing;
          he frustrates the plans of the peoples.
The counsel of the LORD stands forever,
          the thoughts of his heart to all generations. 

1 Sam. 20:3b
"…But truly, as the LORD lives and as you yourself live, there is but a step between me and death.”  [David to Jonathan]

Acts 12:24
But the word of God continued to advance and gain adherents. 

Mark 2:20
"…The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from [the wedding guests], and then they will fast on that day.  …"  [Jesus to those who asked why his disciples did not fast]
Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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