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.

Promises I Make and Break--July 21, 2018


Jesus, many are the promises I have made to you,
and many are the times I have broken them.
Deliver me from breaking my promises.

Make me persistent in following
your will, and in paying to all
whatever is due to them.

Lectionary Readings
Ps. 104; 149; 138; 98
Josh. 6:1-14
Rom. 13:1-7
Matt. 26:26-35

Selected Verses
Ps. 138:7
Though I walk in the midst of trouble,
          you preserve me against the wrath of my enemies;
you stretch out your hand,
          and your right hand delivers me. 

Josh. 6:3
You shall march around the city, all the warriors circling the city once. Thus you shall do for six days…

Rom. 13:7
Pay to all what is due them--taxes to whom taxes are due, revenue to whom revenue is due, respect to whom respect is due, honor to whom honor is due.

Matt. 26:35
Peter said to [Jesus], "Even though I must die with you, I will not deny you."  And so said all the disciples.
Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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