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.

If You Are Our Dwelling Place--Dec. 15, 2018


Lord, what is it like to have you for our dwelling place?
In your dwelling place, is there peace…always?
Is it a place where we are free from fear?
And when Satan sifts us like wheat,
will you protect us there?

When we dwell with you, O Lord,
are we responsible for strengthening  
our sisters and our brothers?
Will you let us in?

Lectionary Readings
Ps. 90; 149; 80; 72
Isa. 8:1-15
2 Thess. 3:6-18
Luke 22:31-38

Selected Verses
Ps. 90:1
 Lord, you have been our dwelling place
          in all generations. 

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. 3:16
Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in all ways.  The Lord be with all of you.

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]

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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