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.

April 23, 2006

I. Readings
Psalms 93, 117, 136
Exodus 14:5-22
1 John 1:1-7
John 14:1-7

II. Selections
Psalm 136:1
O give thanks to the LORD, for he is good,
for his steadfast love endures forever.

Exodus 14:5-22
" ...The LORD will fight for you, and you have only to keep still." [ Moses to the Israelites]

1 John 1:1
We declare to you what was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands, concerning the word of life ...

John 14:1-7
"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. ... "

III. Meditation: Only keep still
We give thanks to you, for you are good;
your steadfast love endures forever.

Help us declare
what was from the beginning,
what we have heard,
what we have seen with our eyes,
what we have looked at
and touched with our hands,
concerning the word of life.

Then let not our hearts be troubled,
for we believe in you,
and also in Christ.
You will fight for us,
and we have only to keep still.

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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