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 Time of Trial--Dec. 17, 2012


When I come into the time of trial,
when my iniquities have overtaken me
until I cannot see,

though your face be hidden,
I will wait for you;
I will hope in you

and in your divine power
to give me everything I need
for life and godliness,

through the knowledge of him
who by his own glory and goodness
called us.

Lectionary Readings

Ps. 122; 145; 40; 67

Isa. 8:16-9:1
2 Pet. 1:1-11
Luke 22:39-53

Selected Verses

Ps. 40:12b

…my iniquities have overtaken me,
          until I cannot see…
Isa. 8:17
I will wait for the LORD, who is hiding his face from the house of Jacob, and I will hope in him.

2 Pet. 1:3
[God's] divine power has given us everything needed for life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.

Luke 22:40
When [Jesus] reached the place, he said to [his disciples], "Pray that you may not come into the time of trial."

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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