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.

Faithful Remnant, Willing Spirit--Nov. 5, 2010


I. Readings
Psalms 51, 148, 142, 65
Zephaniah 3:8-13
Revelation 17:1-18
Luke 13:31-35

II. Selections
Psalm 51:12-13
Restore to me the joy of your salvation,
      and sustain in me a willing spirit.
Then I will teach transgressors your ways,
      and sinners will return to you.

Zephaniah 3:8a, 12a
Therefore wait for me, says the LORD,
      for the day when I will arise as a witness.
…For I will leave in the midst of you
      a people humble and holy.

Revelation 17:1-2
Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and said to me, “Come, I will show you the judgment of the great whore who is seated on many waters, with whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication, and with the wine of whose fornication the inhabitants of the earth have become drunk.”

Luke 13:31
At that very hour some Pharisees came and said to [Jesus], “Get away from here, for Herod wants to kill you.”

III. Meditation

Lord Jesus,
you did not run from Herod—
you knew whom to fear.

The great harlot Rome fell as empires do,
but you always maintain a faithful remnant.

Even the established church may fall;
still your Spirit will arise,
a witness to the joy of salvation.

Injustice will be supplanted with justice,
oppression will cease, transgressors will learn
your ways, and sinners will return to you.

Sustain in us a willing spirit as we wait
for that day and work for its coming.
Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)