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.

God of Glory and Strength--Jan. 5, 2018


You are God of glory and strength;
it is common to remember you
when our life is ebbing away,
and to turn to you in prayer.
We may then acknowledge
that Jesus is the resurrection
and the life, and believe in him,
trusting that though we die we will live.

That is good, but it is waiting too long.
Help us to be strong in Christ now,
and in the strength of his power.

Lectionary Readings
Ps. 99; 148; 96; 110
Jonah 2:2-9
Eph. 6:10-20
John 11:17-27, 38-44

Selected Verses
Ps. 96:7
 Ascribe to the LORD, O families of the peoples,
          ascribe to the LORD glory and strength. 

Jonah 2:7
As my life was ebbing away,
          I remembered the LORD;
and my prayer came to you.

Eph. 6:10
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his power.

John 11:25
Jesus said to [Martha], "I am the resurrection and the life.  Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live…"

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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