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.

Not to Live in Dread--Dec. 10, 2016


Have pity on us, Lord Jesus, turn us back--
for we think we are weak, needy, fearful.  
We grow weary in doing what is right;
 all around us is fear of conspiracies.
If fear we must, then let it be fear
that our faith in you is failing.
Turn us back, to strengthen
our brothers and sisters,
especially the poor,
the truly needy.

Lectionary Readings
Ps. 90; 149; 80; 72
Isa. 8:1-15
2 Thess. 3:6-18
Luke 22:31-38
           
Selected Verses
Ps. 72:13
[The king] has pity on the weak and the needy,
          and saves the lives of the needy. 

Isa. 8:12
Do not call conspiracy all that this people calls conspiracy, and do not fear what it fears, or be in dread. 

2 Thess. 3:13
Brothers and sisters, do not be weary in doing what is right.

Luke 22:31-32
"…Simon, Simon, listen!  Satan has demanded to sift all of you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your own faith may not fail; and you, when once you have turned back, strengthen your brothers." [Jesus to Simon Peter]

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Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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