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.

Content to Be Only Human--August 5, 2019



If I am counted to be one of your people,
that is enough.  Make me content,
dear God, to be only human.
I need no special sign
to know that you
are with us,
but save me, God,
from prideful ambition.

Lectionary Readings
Ps. 62; 145; 73; 9
2 Sam.7:1-17
Acts 18:1-11
Mark 8:11-21

Selected Verses
Ps. 9:20
Put them in fear, O LORD;
          let the nations know that they are only human. Selah

2 Sam.7:4-5
But that same night the word of the LORD came to Nathan: Go and tell my servant David: Thus says the LORD: Are you the one to build me a house to live in?

Acts 18:9
One night the Lord said to Paul in a vision, “Do not be afraid, but speak and do not be silent; for I am with you, and no one will lay a hand on you to harm you, for there are many in this city who are my people.” 

Mark 8:11-12
The Pharisees came and began to argue with [Jesus], asking him for a sign from heaven, to test him.  And he sighed deeply in his spirit and said, “Why does this generation ask for a sign?  Truly I tell you, no sign will be given to this generation.” 

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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