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.

Even if You Hide Your Face--Dec. 15, 2014


Lord Jesus Christ, do not bring me
into the time of trial.
Make me effective and fruitful
in the knowledge of you.
Even if you hide your face from me,
help me to wait for you--
to wait patiently and hope in you.

Lectionary Readings
Ps. 122; 145; 40; 67
Isa. 8:16-9:1
2 Pet. 9:1-11
Luke 22:39-53

Selected Verses
Ps. 40:1
 I waited patiently for the LORD;
          he inclined to me and heard my cry. 

Isa. 8:17
I will wait for the LORD, who is hiding his face from the house of Jacob, and I will hope in him. 

2 Pet. 9:8
For if these things are yours and are increasing among you, they keep you from being ineffective and unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

Luke 22:40
When [Jesus] reached the place, he said to [his disciples], "Pray that you may not come into the time of trial." 

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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