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.

For an Unwavering Faith--Dec. 26, 2013


 Lord Jesus, there tends to be a rhythm in my life:
I forsake you, and it feels as if you have forsaken me;
soon I find myself greatly afflicted, and I turn back to you.

When we are fickle, how can we expect your word to spread
or to add disciples?  Make our faith more unwavering like
Stephen's, who asked you to forgive his executioners.

Lectionary Readings

Ps. 116; 147:12-20; 119:1-24; 27
2 Chron. 24:17-22
Acts 6:1-7
Acts 7:59-8:8

Selected Verses

Ps. 116:10
I kept my faith, even when I said,
          "I am greatly afflicted"…

2 Chron. 24:20b
"…Because you have forsaken the LORD, he has also forsaken you."

Acts 6:7
The word of God continued to spread; the number of the disciples increased greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith.

Acts 7:59-60a
While they were stoning Stephen, he prayed, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit."  Then he knelt down and cried out in a loud voice, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them."

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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