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.

Do Not Forsake Me--Nov. 11, 2017

[From Nov. 9, 2013 archive]

Lamb of God, Lord
of Lords, King of kings:

I am a slave to my way of life,
but do not forsake me in my slavery;
do not forsake the work of your hands.

Your steadfast love endures forever;
if you are with me, I shall take
heart; I shall not be afraid.

Lectionary Readings
Ps. 104; 149; 138; 98
Ezra 9:1-15
Rev. 17:1-14
Matt. 14:22-36

Selected Verses
Ps. 138:8
The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me;
          your steadfast love, O LORD, endures forever.
          Do not forsake the work of your hands.

Ezra 9:9a
"…For we are slaves; yet our God has not forsaken us in our slavery…"  [From Ezra's prayer of shame during the evening sacrifice]

Rev. 17:14
"…[the ten kings who have yielded to the beast] will make war on the Lamb, and the Lamb will conquer them, for he is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those with him are called and chosen and faithful."

Matt. 14:27
But immediately Jesus spoke to [his disciples] and said, "Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid."

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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