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.

If I Believe, I Will Start on My Way--Aug. 17, 2018


[From Aug. 17, 2012 archive]

If I believe the words you spoke,
I will start on my way.

I will not push aside the peacemaker;
I will welcome her.

I will leave behind my desire for revenge
and start on my way.

For even when my spirit is faint,
you know my way.

Lectionary Readings
Ps. 51; 148; 142; 65
Judges 14:20-15:20
Acts 7:17-29
John 4:43-54

Selected Verses
Ps. 142:3
 When my spirit is faint,
          you know my way.

Judg. 15:7
Samson said to [the Philistines], "If this is what you do, I swear I will not stop until I have taken revenge on you."

Acts 7:27
"…But the man who was wronging his neighbor pushed Moses aside, saying, 'Who made you a ruler and a judge over us?  …'"  [Stephen to the high priest and council]

John 4:50
Jesus said to [the royal official], "Go; your son will live."  The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him and started on his way.

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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