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.

Into the Hands of God--Jan. 29, 2022

[From Feb. 1, 2020 archive]

 

Is anything too

wonderful for you?

 

The sight of Jesus walking 

on the sea terrified the disciples.

Why should we fear what is good, 

and seek what is fearful, Lord God?

 

I am not sure how falling into your

 hands could ever be a fearful thing,

but I am sure it is a fearful thing 

not to have your right hand 

upholding me in love.

 

Lectionary Readings

Ps. 122; 149; 100; 63

Gen. 18:1-16

Heb. 10:26-39

John 6:16-27

 

Selected Verses 

Ps. 63:1, 8

O God, you are my God, I seek you,
          my soul thirsts for you;
my flesh faints for you,
          as in a dry and weary land where there is no water.  …

 

My soul clings to you;
          your right hand upholds me.

 

Gen. 18:14a

Is anything too wonderful for the LORD? 

 

Heb. 10:31

It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

 

John 6:19-20

When [the disciples] had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and coming near the boat, and they were terrified.  But he said to them, “It is I; do not be afraid.”

 

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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