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.

To Abide in Christ's Love--Jan. 5, 2019


Jesus, you are the pioneer and perfecter of our faith.
As the Father loved you, so you have loved us.
You will not fail or forsake us, you give us
strength and courage, as we abide
in your love.

Sin weighs heavy against us, but looking to you,
we lay it aside to run with perseverance
the race you set before us.

Let the heavens be glad, the earth rejoice!
O let the sea roar, and all that fills it,
let the field exult, everything in it,
and let the trees of the forest
sing for joy--we abide
in your love.

Lectionary Readings
Ps. 99; 149; 96; 110
Josh. 1:1-9
Heb. 11:32-12:2
John 15:1-16

Selected Verses
Ps. 96:11-12
Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice;
          let the sea roar, and all that fills it; 
          let the field exult, and everything in it.
Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy… 

Josh. 1:5b-6a
As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will not fail you or forsake you.  Be strong and courageous…  [The LORD, to Joshua]

Heb. 12:1-2
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God.

John 15:9
"…As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love.  …" [Jesus, to his disciples] 

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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