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.

Reasons to Love You, God--Oct. 3, 2019


I love you, God; you have heard my voice
and my supplications.
But this is far from the only reason
for loving you.

I love you, O Lord, because you have
a claim on us.
You have given us Jesus, the rock
upon which we stand.

Therefore I shall love you even when
you are silent,
when it appears that you answer
not a word.

Lectionary Readings
Ps. 116; 147:12-20; 26; 130
2 Kings 18:28-37
1 Cor. 9:1-15
Matt. 7:22-29

Selected Verses
Ps. 116:1
 I love the LORD, because he has heard
          my voice and my supplications.

2 Kings 18:36
But the people were silent and answered [the Rabshakeh] not a word, for the king’s command was, “Do not answer him.”

1 Cor. 9:12
If others share this rightful claim on you, do not we still more?

Matt. 7:24
“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock.  …”  [Jesus, to the crowds on the mountain]

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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