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.


In the Hour of Danger--June 22, 2011


At the prospect of attack by the Philistines,
the Israelites begged Samuel to pray for them.

When Stephen was taken before the council
and falsely accused, his face was like an angel’s.

The night he was betrayed, Jesus ate with his
friends and gave them a way to remember him.

In time of distress, the psalmist bids us lie
down and sleep, trusting you to keep us safe.


Lectionary Readings
Ps. 15; 147:1-11; 48; 4
1 Sam. 7:2-17
Acts 6:1-15
Luke 22:14-23

Selected Verses
Ps. 4:8
I will both lie down and sleep in peace;
      for you alone, O LORD, make me lie down in safety.

1 Sam. 7:8
The people of Israel said to Samuel, “Do not cease to cry out to the LORD our God for us, and pray that he may save us from the hand of the Philistines.”

Acts 6:15
And all who sat in the council looked intently at [Stephen], and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel.

Luke 22:19
Then [Jesus] took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to [the apostles], saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”
Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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