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.

My Shepherd Will Provide My Needs--Jan. 28, 2018

[From Feb. 1, 2004 archive]

Do not sweep me away with the wicked,
but sweep away the wickedness that is in me.

Save me from the temptation to bite and devour
other people—even people who include those I love.

Strengthen me, and strengthen my faith,
that I may live as if I know who you are--
my Shepherd, who will provide all my needs.

Lectionary Readings
Ps. 108; 150; 66; 23
Gen. 18:16-33
Gal. 5:13-25
Mark 8:22-30

Selected Verses
Ps. 23:1
The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want.

Gen. 18:23
Then Abraham came near [to the LORD] and said, "Will you indeed sweep away the righteous with the wicked?  …"

Gal. 5:15
If, however, you bite and devour one another, take care that you are not consumed by one another.

Mark 8:27
Jesus went on with his disciples to the villages of Caesarea Philippi; and on the way he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that I am?”

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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