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.

Peace that Comes with Christ’s Promise--Aug. 18, 2019



Lord Jesus, you did the good works
that your Father had given you to complete,
 but your enemies sought to take your life.
They thought that would bring peace.

The peace your enemies had in mind
was different from the peace you give us—
a peace that comes with your promise
of the Spirit through faith.

Let everything that breathes
praise your name.

Lectionary Readings
Ps. 19; 150; 81; 113
2 Sam. 17:1-23
Gal.3:6-14
John 5:30-47

Selected Verses
Ps. 150:6
Let everything that breathes praise the Lord!
     Praise the Lord!

2 Sam. 17:3b
“…You seek the life of only one man, and all the people will be at peace.”  [Ahithophel, to Absalom]

Gal.3:14
…in order that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

John 5:36b
“…The works that the Father has given me to complete, the very works that I am doing, testify on my behalf that the Father has sent me.   …”  [Jesus, to his detractors]
Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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