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.

To Tremble Before God--Jan. 5, 2020


Why should I tremble before you, Lord?
You are a God of love, not of wrath;
you ask us what you can give us.

Therein lies a reason to tremble.
If I reject the gift you offer,
instead I only complain,

then I miss the opportunity
to clothe myself in love,
which binds everything
together in harmony.

When I consider
such a loss,
I tremble.

Lectionary Readings
Ps. 99; 150; 96; 110
Kings 3:5-14
Col. 3:12-17
John 6:41-47

Selected Verses
Ps. 96:9
Worship the LORD in holy splendor;
          tremble before him, all the earth.

Kings 3:5
At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night; and God said, “Ask what I should give you.” 

Col. 3:14
Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.

John 6:43
Jesus answered [those who were complaining about him], “Do not complain among yourselves.  …”

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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