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.

Lest We Sow the Wind--Oct. 7, 2020

 

If we sow the wind, O God,

we shall reap the whirlwind.

Our great weapons of war 

will not save us from that. 

 

We know where our hope lies—

it is with the one who came 

to show your healing,

steadfast love.

 

Lectionary Readings

Ps. 89:1-18; 147:1-11; 1; 33

Hosea 8:1-14

Acts 23:23-35

Luke 7:18-35

 

Selected Verses 

Ps. 33:17-18

The war horse is a vain hope for victory,
          and by its great might it cannot save.

Truly the eye of the LORD is on those who fear him,
          on those who hope in his steadfast love…

 

Hosea 8:7a

For they sow the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind. 

 

Acts 23:23

Then [Claudius Lysias] summoned two of the centurions and said, “Get ready to leave by nine o'clock tonight for Caesarea with two hundred soldiers, seventy horsemen, and two hundred spearmen.  …” 

 

Luke 7:22-23

And [Jesus] answered [the messengers sent by John], “Go and tell John what you have seen and heard: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the poor have good news brought to them.  And blessed is anyone who takes no offense at me.”


Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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