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 a Loving God--Jan. 30, 2016


Sometimes we lie to you, because we fear you,
which is foolish on both counts:
how could we think we could ever deceive you;
and what is there to fear if we fall into
your hands, O God whose love endures forever?
Remind us how Jesus assured his disciples:
"It is I; do not be afraid."

Lectionary Readings
Ps. 122; 149; 100; 63
Gen. 18:1-16
Heb. 10:26-39
John 6:16-27

Selected Verses
Ps. 100:5
For the LORD is good;
          his steadfast love endures for ever,
          and his faithfulness to all generations.

Gen. 18:15
But Sarah denied, saying, "I did not laugh"; for she was afraid.  [The LORD] said, "Oh yes, you did laugh."

Heb. 10:31
It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

John 6:20
But [Jesus] said to [his disciples], "It is I; do not be afraid."

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