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 Stronghold for the Oppressed--May 27, 2020


Many people are oppressed, Lord.
Pray be a stronghold for them
in these times of trouble.

Some lack shelter from the heat,
no protection from storms;
help us find a refuge
for them.

Those who should know better
are misled by evil doctrine,
and when help appears
beg it to go away.

It is a sad, sad story—
a very old one.

Lectionary Readings
Ps. 99; 147:1-11; 9; 118
Isa. 4:2-6
Eph. 4:1-16
Matt. 8:28-34

Selected Verses
Ps. 9:9
The LORD is a stronghold for the oppressed,
          a stronghold in times of trouble.

Isa. 4:5b-6
Indeed over all the glory there will be a canopy.  It will serve as a pavilion, a shade by day from the heat, and a refuge and a shelter from the storm and rain.

Eph. 4:14
We must no longer be children, tossed to and fro and blown about by every wind of doctrine, by people's trickery, by their craftiness in deceitful scheming.

Matt. 8:34
Then the whole town came out to meet Jesus; and when they saw him, they begged him to leave their neighborhood.

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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