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.

The Fortresses We Build--Nov. 3, 2012


 Do not let us be deceived by evil, O God;
the fortresses we build for protection
against the woes that frighten us
will fall like first-ripe figs.

As the mountains surround Jerusalem,
surround us now with your love;
for it is your good pleasure
to give us the kingdom.

Lectionary Readings

Ps. 63; 149; 125; 90

Nahum 3:8-19
Rev. 13:11-18
Luke 12:32-48

Selected Verses

Ps. 125:2

 As the mountains surround Jerusalem,
          so the LORD surrounds his people,
          from this time on and forevermore.

Nahum 3:12
All your fortresses are like fig trees
            with first-ripe figs--
if shaken they fall
            into the mouth of the eater.

Rev. 13:14a
…and by the signs that [the second beast] is allowed to perform on behalf of the [first] beast, it deceives the inhabitants of earth…

Luke 12:32
"…Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.  …"  [Jesus to his disciples]
Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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