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.

A Steadfast Anchor of the Soul--May 30, 2017

[From May 22, 2007 archive]

Into the midst of wolves, you send us out like lambs
and give us only hope—but a sure hope,
a steadfast anchor of the soul.
           
When anguish comes, we seek peace—perhaps too late.
We wait too long to call upon your name,
and suffer anguish and distress.

So when at last the snares of death encompass us,
and when the pangs of Sheol lay hold, then
“O God,” we pray, “save our lives.”

We must not wait so long, must not forget the hope,
the sure hope, steadfast anchor of the soul,
that you have promised to us.

Lectionary Readings
Ps. 98; 146; 66; 116
Ezek. 7:10-15, 23b-27
Heb. 6:13-20
Luke 10:1-17
           
Selected Verses
Ps. 116:3-4
The snares of death encompassed me;
            the pangs of Sheol laid hold on me;
            I suffered distress and anguish.
Then I called on the name of the LORD:
            “O LORD, I pray, save my life!”

Ezek. 7:25
When anguish comes, they will seek peace,
            but there shall be none.

Heb. 6:19a
We have this hope, a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul…

Luke 10:3
See, I am sending you out like lambs into the midst of wolves.

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