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.

November 20, 2005

I. Readings
Psalms 23, 66, 108
Isaiah 19:19-25
Romans 15:5-13
Luke 19:11-27

II. Selections
Psalm 66:6b-7
There we rejoiced in him,
who rules by his might for ever,
whose eyes keep watch on the nations-
let the rebellious not exalt themselves.
Selah

Isaiah 19:24-25
On that day Israel will be the third with Egypt and Assyria, a blessing in the midst of the earth, whom the LORD of hosts has blessed, saying, "Blessed be Egypt my people, and Assyria the work of my hands, and Israel my heritage."

Romans 15:5-6
May the God of steadfastness and encouragement grant you to live in harmony with one another, in accordance with Christ Jesus, so that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Luke 19:11
As they were listening to this, he went on to tell a parable, because he was near Jerusalem, and because they supposed that the kingdom of God was to appear immediately.

III. Meditation: A watch on the nations
We rejoice in you, you who rule by your might for ever. Your eyes keep watch on the nations-let the rebellious not exalt themselves. You will bring the day when Egypt and Assyria and Israel will be as one; when America will be the third with China and Russia; when all nations will usher in your kingdom. Your kingdom will not appear immediately, but it will appear. Meanwhile, in your steadfastness and encouragement grant us to live in harmony with one another, in accordance with Christ Jesus, so that together we may with one voice glorify you, the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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