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.

By Actions and by Words--July 23, 2020


O God of steadfastness and encouragement,
we know that you invite everyone
to take refuge in the shadow of your wings.

In your steadfast love, you want us to live
in harmony with those who live
among us, in accordance with Christ Jesus.

How often I deny him by my actions
and by my words.

Lectionary Readings
Ps. 36; 147:12-20; 80; 27
Josh. 9:3-21
Rom. 15:1-13
Matt. 26:69-75

Selected Verses
Ps. 36:7
How precious is your steadfast love, O God!
          All people may take refuge in the shadow of your wings.

Josh. 9:7
But the Israelites said to the Hivites, “Perhaps you live among us; then how can we make a treaty with you?”

Rom. 15:5-6
May the God of steadfastness and encouragement grant you to live in harmony with one another, in accordance with Christ Jesus, so that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Matt. 26:75
Then Peter remembered what Jesus had said: “Before the cock crows, you will deny me three times.”  And he went out and wept bitterly.

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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