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.

Victories that Turn Into Mourning--Aug. 24, 2017

[From Aug. 18, 2005 archive]

We are familiar with victories that turn into mourning,
and we know the accompanying bewilderment
and grief, but we have a hope in you.

When we bring our questions and doubts and fears
before you, open our hearts that we may hear
your answers.  Restore us, O God of hosts;
let your face shine, that we may be saved.

Lectionary Readings
Ps. 36; 147:12-20; 80; 27
2 Sam. 19:1-23
Acts 24:1-23
Mark 12:28-34

Selected Verses
Ps. 80:19
Restore us, O LORD God of hosts;
            let your face shine, that we may be saved.

2 Sam. 19:2
So the victory that day was turned into mourning for all the troops; for the troops heard that day, "The king is grieving for his son."

Acts 24:15-16
"…I have a hope in God--a hope that they themselves also accept--that there will be a resurrection of both the righteous and the unrighteous.  Therefore I do my best always to have a clear conscience toward God and all people.  …"  [Paul, in his defense before the governor]

Mark 12:34
When Jesus saw that [the scribe] answered wisely, he said to him, "You are not far from the kingdom of God." After that no one dared to ask him any question.


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Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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