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.

Not My God--Feb. 19, 2021


God of grace and mercy, 

I am not looking for a god 

who sends us out to conquer

and to devour, all without pity. 

 

My God teaches sound doctrines:

to hope in you—your steadfast love,

and your great power to redeem.

 

Lectionary Readings

Ps. 22; 148; 105; 130

Deut. 7:12-16

Titus 2:1-15

John 1:35-42

 

Selected Verses 

Ps. 130:7

 O Israel, hope in the LORD!
          For with the LORD there is steadfast love,
          and with him is great power to redeem.

 

Deut. 7:16a

You shall devour all the peoples that the LORD your God is giving over to you, showing them no pity…

 

Titus 2:1

But as for you, teach what is consistent with sound doctrine.

 

John 1:38a

When Jesus turned and saw [the two disciples] following, he said to them, “What are you looking for?” 


Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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