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, 2008

I. Readings
Psalms 18:1-20, 62, 126
Isaiah 7:1-9
2 Thessalonians 2:1-12
Luke 22:1-13

II. Selections
Psalm 18:6
In my distress I called upon the LORD;
to my God I cried for help.
From his temple he heard my voice,
and my cry to him reached his ears.

Isaiah 7:9c
If you do not stand firm in faith,
you shall not stand at all.

2 Thessalonians 2:4
[ The lawless one] opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, declaring himself to be God.

Luke 22:2
The chief priests and the scribes were looking for a way to put Jesus to death, for they were afraid of the people.

III. Meditation: They were afraid of the people

We exalt ourselves, assuming the honors
and privileges that belong only to you.
Having overreached, we are fearful,
and in our distress we call to you.
You hear our voice and answer:
Stand firm in your faith else
you will not stand at all.

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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