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 08, 2008

I. Readings
Psalms 40, 67, 122
Isaiah 5:8-17
1 Thessalonians 5:1-11
Luke 21:20-28

II. Selections
Psalms 40:8
" ...I delight to do your will, O my God;
your law is within my heart."

Isaiah 5:15
People are bowed down, everyone is brought low,
and the eyes of the haughty are humbled.

1 Thessalonians 5:9
For God has destined us not for wrath but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ ...

Luke 21:26
" ...People will faint from fear and foreboding of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. ... " [ Jesus to his disciples]

III. Meditation: When with fear and foreboding

Our God, you have destined us not for wrath
but for obtaining salvation through Jesus Christ.
When we are brought low with fear and foreboding
and our haughty eyes are humbled, put your law within
our hearts, that in his name we may delight to do your will.

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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