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.

How Shall We Return to God?--Nov. 18, 2016


Why do you cast us off, dear God--why hide your face from us?
So we ask you, but you ask why we turn aside from you.
Return to me, you say, and I will return to you.
How shall we return to you, though?

You make it sound simple.
We must be patient, strengthening
our hearts in prayer by praying always, 
and by keeping your statutes.

Lectionary Readings
Ps. 88; 148; 6; 20
Mal. 3:1-12
James 5:7-12
Luke 18:1-8
           
Selected Verses
Ps. 88:14
 O LORD, why do you cast me off?
          Why do you hide your face from me? 

Mal. 3:7
Ever since the days of your ancestors you have turned aside from my statutes and have not kept them.  Return to me, and I will return to you, says the LORD of hosts.  But you say, "How shall we return?"

James 5:8
You also must be patient.  Strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near. 

Luke 18:1-8
Then Jesus told [his disciples] a parable about their need to pray always and not to lose heart. 

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Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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