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.

When Waves Beat Against My Boat--July 21, 2021


[From July 24, 2013 archive]

 

When the waves beat against my boat, 

when they threaten to swamp it 

 

because I am disturbed 

and want to avenge myself, 

 

let me ponder it on my bed, 

O God, and be silent.

 

Strengthen my soul, I pray, 

that I may continue in the faith.

 

Lectionary Readings

Ps. 15; 147:1-11; 48; 4

1 Sam. 25:23-44

Acts 14:19-28

Mark 4:35-41

 

Selected Verses 

Ps. 4:4 

When you are disturbed, do not sin; 
          ponder it on your beds, and be silent.   Selah 

 

1 Sam. 25:33 

"…Blessed be your good sense, and blessed be you, who have kept me today from bloodguilt and from avenging myself by my own hand!  …"  [David to Abigail] 

 

Acts 14:22 

There [Paul and his companions] strengthened the souls of the disciples and encouraged them to continue in the faith, saying, “It is through many persecutions that we must enter the kingdom of God.” 

 

Mark 4:37 

A great gale arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that the boat was already being swamped.


Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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