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.

Lord, Dwell with Us--Dec. 20, 2018



You tell us, O God, to trust in you--that your home
is where we are, and you will dwell with us.
You say we should pour out our hearts before you,
because you will be our refuge.

If we ask how this is so, if we scoff at your words,
the bonds of sin that hold us grow stronger. 
Lord, make your home with us;
we will be your people.

Lectionary Readings
Ps. 18:1-20; 147:12-20; 126; 62
Isa. 28:9-22
Rev. 20:11-21:8
Luke 1:5-25

Selected Verses
Ps. 62:8
Trust in him at all times, O people;
          pour out your heart before him;
          God is a refuge for us. Selah


Isa. 28:22
Now therefore do not scoff,
          or your bonds will be made stronger;
for I have heard a decree of destruction
          from the Lord GOD of hosts upon the whole land.

Rev. 21:3
And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, 
     "See, the home of God is among mortals. 
     He will dwell with them; 
     they will be his peoples, 
     and God himself will be with them…"

Luke 1:18
Zechariah said to the angel, "How will I know that this is so?  For I am an old man, and my wife is getting on in years." 

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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