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.

Impressed by Power and Pomp--Aug. 24, 2019



We are impressed by power and pomp,
by military leaders and prominent men,
men who give orders, which others hasten
to obey, even if made in unwitting whimsey.

When will we learn that the most impressive
buildings made by mortals will be thrown down,
along with their builders?  When will we realize
it is better to take refuge in you, O God, than
to put our confidence in mortals?

Lectionary Readings
Ps. 56; 149; 118; 111
2 Sam. 23:1-7, 13-17
Acts 25:13-27
Mark 13:1-13

Selected Verses
Ps. 118:8
It is better to take refuge in the LORD
          than to put confidence in mortals. 

2 Sam. 23:15-16a
David said longingly, “O that someone would give me water to drink from the well of Bethlehem that is by the gate!”  Then the three warriors broke through the camp of the Philistines, drew water from the well of Bethlehem that was by the gate, and brought it to David.

Acts 25:23
So on the next day Agrippa and Bernice came with great pomp, and they entered the audience hall with the military tribunes and the prominent men of the city.  Then Festus gave the order and Paul was brought in.

Mark 13:1-2
As [Jesus] came out of the temple, one of his disciples said to him, “Look, Teacher, what large stones and what large buildings!”  Then Jesus asked him, “Do you see these great buildings?  Not one stone will be left here upon another; all will be thrown down.”

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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