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 We Ask and You Do Not Answer--July 25, 2019


[From July 25, 2013 archive]

Jesus, continue your steadfast love to those who know you.
Sometimes we inquire of you, and you do not answer.
Remind us, then, how much you have done for us;
remind us what mercy you have shown us--
that it is by your grace we are saved,
not by our efforts to reach you.

Lectionary Readings
Ps. 36; 147:12-20; 80; 27
1 Sam. 28:3-20
Acts 15:1-11
Mark 5:1-20

Selected Verses
Ps. 36:10
O continue your steadfast love to those who know you, 
          and your salvation to the upright of heart!

1 Sam. 28:6
When Saul inquired of the LORD, the LORD did not answer him, not by dreams, nor by Urim, nor by prophets.

Acts 15:11
"…On the contrary, we believe that we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they will."  …"  [Peter to the advocates of circumcision]

Mark 5:19
But Jesus refused, and said to [the former demoniac], "Go home to your friends, and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and what mercy he has shown you."

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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