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.

December 11, 2005

I. Readings
Psalms 24, 25, 110
Amos 9:11-15
2 Thessalonians 2:1-3, 13-17
John 5:30-47

II. Selections
Psalm 25:18
Consider my affliction and my trouble,
and forgive all my sins.

Amos 9:14
I will restore the fortunes of my people Israel,
and they shall rebuild the ruined cities and inhabit them;
they shall plant vineyards and drink their wine,
and they shall make gardens and eat their fruit.

2 Thessalonians 2:16-17
Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and through grace gave us eternal comfort and good hope, comfort your hearts and strengthen them in every good work and word.

John 5:44
How can you believe when you accept glory from one another and do not seek the glory that comes from the one who alone is God?

III. Meditation: Rebuild the ruined cities
Lord Jesus Christ and God our Father, who loved us and through grace gave us eternal comfort and good hope, forgive all our sins. You alone are God, and all glory belongs to you. We pray for others also, that you will restore the fortunes of those who have suffered great afflictions and troubles, that they may rebuild their ruined cities and inhabit them, plant vineyards and drink their wine, make gardens and eat their fruit. Comfort their hearts and strengthen them in every good work and word.

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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