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.

January 04, 2008

I. Readings
Psalms 20, 93, 97
Joshua 3:14-4:7
Ephesians 5:1-20
John 9:1-12, 35-38

II. Selections
Psalm 20:1
The LORD answer you in the day of trouble!
The name of the God of Jacob protect you!

Joshua 4:6b-7a
" ...When your children ask in time to come, 'What do those stones mean to you?' then you shall tell them that the waters of the Jordan were cut off in front of the ark of the covenant of the LORD. ... " [ Joshua to the representatives of the twelve tribes after the people had crossed the Jordan]

Ephesians 5:20
...giving thanks to God the Father at all times and for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

John 9:1-12, 35-38
" ...We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming when no one can work. ... " [ Jesus to his disciples]

III. Meditation: That we may tell our children

Answer us, O God, in the day of trouble.
During the night that is coming, when no
one can work, protect us, O Lord Jesus.

Remind us, that we may tell our children-
in the past you saved us from deep waters.
Make us thankful at all times, for everything.

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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