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.

To All Who Ask--Nov. 15, 2012


 O God of hosts, you are always with us;
and you are ready to give--
generously, ungrudgingly--
to all who ask.

Restore us, and let your face shine on us,
that we may be saved.
We shall praise your name;
wondrously you deal with us
if we but ask.

Lectionary Readings

Ps. 36; 147:12-20; 80; 27

Joel 2:21-27
James 1:1-15
Luke 15:1-2, 11-32

Selected Verses

Ps. 80:7

Restore us, O God of hosts;
          let your face shine, that we may be saved.

Joel 2:26a
You shall eat in plenty and be satisfied,
            and praise the name of the LORD your God,
            who has dealt wondrously with you.

James 1:5
If any of you is lacking in wisdom, ask God, who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly, and it will be given you.

Luke 15:31
"…Then the father said to him, 'Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours.  '…"  [Jesus' response to the Pharisees and scribes who grumbled about the bad company he kept]

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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