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.

A Cry of Panic, Terror, and No Peace--April 22, 2013


 O God, maker of heaven and earth,
our help is in your name.

When we feel a cry of panic,
of terror, and no peace,

make us strong with the strength
that comes from your glorious power,

prepared to endure everything with patience,
while joyfully we give our thanks to you;

and forbid we should be eager
to accuse others of wrong.

Lectionary Readings

Ps. 97; 145; 124; 115
Jer. 30:1-9
Col. 1:1-14
Luke 6:1-11

Selected Verses

Ps. 124:8
 Our help is in the name of the LORD,
          who made heaven and earth.

Jer. 30:5
Thus says the LORD:
We have heard a cry of panic,
          of terror, and no peace.

Col. 1:11-12a
May you be made strong with all the strength that comes from his glorious power, and may you be prepared to endure everything with patience, while joyfully giving thanks to the Father…

Luke 6:7
The scribes and the Pharisees watched him to see whether he would cure on the sabbath, so that they might find an accusation against him.

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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