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.

Jesus, Set Me Free from Darkness--Feb. 14, 2014

The night is far gone, the day is near.
Lord Jesus, you are in this place
with me, though I am unaware.
From my sleep awaken me.
As I lay aside the works
of darkness, as I try to
wear the armor of light,
create in me a clean heart,
and put a new and right spirit
within me; for if you set me free
from darkness, I will be free indeed.

Lectionary Readings

Ps. 51; 148; 142; 65

Gen. 27:46-28:4, 28:10-22
Rom. 13:1-14
John 8:33-47

Selected Verses

Ps. 51:10

Create in me a clean heart, O God,
          and put a new and right spirit within me.

Gen. 28:16
Then Jacob woke from his sleep and said, "Surely the LORD is in this place--and I did not know it!"

Rom. 13:12
…the night is far gone, the day is near.  Let us then lay aside the works of darkness and put on the armor of light…

John 8:36
“…So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed.  …”  [Jesus to the Jews who had believed in him]

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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