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.

Today’s Trouble, Not Tomorrow’s--Sept. 30, 2019



My flesh and my heart may fail, O God,
but you are the strength of my heart
and my portion forever.
I do not ask you
to spare me
from life’s
distresses,
but keep me
faithful to you today--
I will not worry about tomorrow.

Lectionary Readings
Ps. 62; 145; 73; 9
2 Kings 17:24-41
1 Cor. 7:25-31
Matt. 6:25-34

Selected Verses
Ps. 73:26
My flesh and my heart may fail,
          but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

2 Kings 17:41
So these nations worshiped the LORD, but also served their carved images; to this day their children and their children's children continue to do as their ancestors did.

1 Cor. 7:28b
Yet those who marry will experience distress in this life, and I would spare you that. 

Matt. 6:34
“So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own.  Today’s trouble is enough for today.”  [Jesus, preaching to the crowds on the mountain]

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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