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.

Discipline Me to Follow--April 10, 2020


Lord Jesus Christ, in your word I hope;
all my hope is in your grace.
Where you have gone
is where I want to go.

According to the abundance
of your steadfast love, Lord,
prepare my mind for action;
discipline me to follow you.

Lectionary Readings
Ps. 22; 148; 105; 130
Lam. 3:1-9, 19-33
1 Peter1:10-20
John 13:36-38

Selected Verses
Ps. 130:5
 I wait for the LORD, my soul waits,
          and in his word I hope

Lam. 3:32-33
Although he causes grief, he will have compassion according to the abundance of his steadfast love; for he does not willingly afflict or grieve anyone.

1 Peter1:13
Therefore prepare your minds for action; discipline yourselves; set all your hope on the grace that Jesus Christ will bring you when he is revealed.

John 13:36
Simon Peter said to [Jesus], “Lord, where are you going?” Jesus answered, “Where I am going, you cannot follow me now; but you will follow afterward.”

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

2 comments:

  1. Mea SententiaApril 10, 2020 at 7:04 PM

    Curious how Jeremiah can’t decide whether or not God causes grief. Both, apparently.

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  2. Elmer E. EwingApril 10, 2020 at 10:28 PM

    Yep, all in the same sentence. Perhaps that leaves us free to decide for ourselves. As for me, I cannot believe that God wills the death of innocents, including babies, to exact punishment on the guilty. (I admit that there are numerous passages that speak of God's vengeance--even vindictiveness--but surely there is yet more testimony to God's steadfast love.)

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