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.

In the Day of Trouble, Answer Us--Oct. 23, 2015


O God of Jacob, protect us,
answer us in the day of trouble.
If the insolent call good words lies
and so divide our house against itself,
refresh our spirits, that we may keep alert,
standing firm in our faith, courageous, strong.
Let all that we say, all that we do, be done in love.

Lectionary Readings
Ps. 88; 148; 6; 20
Jer. 43:1-13
1 Cor. 16:10-24
Matt. 12:22-32

Selected Verses
Ps. 20:1
The LORD answer you in the day of trouble!
          The name of the God of Jacob protect you! 

Jer. 43:1-2a
When Jeremiah finished speaking to all the people all these words of the LORD their God, with which the LORD their God had sent him to them, Azariah son of Hoshaiah and Johanan son of Kareah and all the other insolent men said to Jeremiah, "You are telling a lie.  …"

1 Cor. 16:13-14
Keep alert, stand firm in your faith, be courageous, be strong.  Let all that you do be done in love.  

Matt. 12:25
[Jesus] knew what [his detractors] were thinking and said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and no city or house divided against itself will stand.  …"
Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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