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.

When to Be Decisive--Aug. 29, 2017


It is all too easy to make quick decisions
when they lead to revenge, or when
they satisfy our lust for power.

We hesitate longer to execute justice
for the oppressed, or sacrifice
our own comfort for the
sake of the hungry.

Keep us alert, O God, to know
how to be decisive when
it matters to you.

Lectionary Readings
Ps. 54; 146; 28; 99
1 Kings 1:32-2:46
Acts 26:24-27:8
Mark 13:28-37

Selected Verses
Ps. 146:6b-7
…[the Lord] who keeps faith forever;
              who executes justice for the oppressed;
            who gives food to the hungry.

1 Kings 2:46
Then the king commanded Benaiah son of Jehoiada; and he went out and struck [Shimei] down, and he died.  So the kingdom was established in the hand of Solomon.

Acts 26:8
Agrippa said to Paul, "Are you so quickly persuading me to become a Christian?"

Mark 13:33
"…Beware, keep alert; for you do not know when the time will come.  …"  [Jesus to Peter, James, John, and Andrew]

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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