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.

So We Abide in Your Love--Jan. 5, 2013


God of all glory and strength,
with us wherever we go,

as you loved Jesus,
and as Jesus loves us,
so we abide in your love.

We take strength and courage
and lay aside every weight and sin
that cling so closely; and we persevere in
the race that is set before us, as we look to Jesus,

who for the sake of the joy set before him
 endured the cross and is seated by you.

Lectionary Readings

Ps. 99; 149; 96; 110

Josh. 1:1-9
Heb. 11:32-12:2
John 15:1-16

Selected Verses

Ps. 96:7

Ascribe to the LORD, O families of the peoples,
          ascribe to the LORD glory and strength.

Josh. 1:9
"…I hereby command you: Be strong and courageous; do not be frightened or dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”  [The LORD to Joshua]

Heb. 12:1b-2
…let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God.

John 15:9
"…As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love.  …"  [Jesus to his disciples]

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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