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.

Your Little Ones Cry Out--Nov. 24, 2009

[From Nov. 20, 2009 archive]

Do we not deserve your rebuke and discipline?
We have ignored the plight of your little ones,
millions of whom die of preventable disease
or starvation or warfare or sexual slavery.

In the time of their suffering they cry out
to you.  According to your great mercies
hear and save them from their enemies.
Come soon, Lord Jesus; come soon.

Lectionary Readings
Ps. 88, 148, 6, 20
Neh. 9:26-38
Rev. 22:6-13
Matt. 18:10-20

Selected Verses
Ps. 6:1
O LORD, do not rebuke me in your anger,
            or discipline me in your wrath.

Neh. 9:27b
"…Then in the time of their suffering they cried out to you and you heard them from heaven, and according to your great mercies you gave them saviors who saved them from the hands of their enemies.  …  "  [Ezra’s prayer]

Rev. 22:12-13
"See, I am coming soon; my reward is with me, to repay according to everyone's work.  I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end."

Matt. 18:10
"…Take care that you do not despise one of these little ones; for I tell you, in heaven their angels continually see the face of my Father in heaven.  …  "  [Jesus to his disciples]

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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