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.

Lest I Go Astray after False Gods--Dec. 16, 2019


Help me make you my trust, O God,
lest I go astray after false gods.
I have little power—at least
let me keep your word
and not deny your name
seeking after false prophets.
Guide me in asking questions
and in listening for your answers.

Lectionary Readings
Ps. 122; 145; 40; 67
Zech. 1:7-17
Rev. 3:7-13
Matt. 24:15-31

Selected Verses
Ps. 40:4
Happy are those who make
          the LORD their trust,
who do not turn to the proud,
          to those who go astray after false gods.

Zech. 1:9
Then I said, "What are these, my lord?"  The angel who talked with me said to me, "I will show you what they are." 

Rev. 3:8b
“…I know that you have but little power, and yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.  …”  [The holy one, to the church in Philadelphia]

Matt. 24:24
“For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and produce great signs and omens, to lead astray, if possible, even the elect.  …”  [Jesus, to his disciples]

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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