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.


Though the Fig Tree Does Not Bloom©

[Instead of my usual meditation, a hymn I composed based on Hab. 3:17-19. It may be sung to the tune of St. Flavian (Day's Psalter, 1562)]

Ev’n though the fig tree does not bloom,
And vines no fruit have borne;
Though produce of the olive fails
And fields bring forth no corn;

And though the flock can’t reach the fold,
No herd is in the stalls,
Yet I will in the Lord rejoice;
Who saves, whate’er befalls.

In God, the Lord, is all my strength;
In him my soul delights;
He makes my feet like feet of deer
To tread upon the heights.

O God, whose love is steadfast though
Our way be dark and hard,
Still grant us grace to sing your praise;
O, ever-gracious Lord.
Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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