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 Make Our Joy Complete--April 19, 2020


We thank you, God, for you are good;
in you there is no darkness at all.

Forfend that we should look back in fear,
your steadfast love endures forever.

Our Lord has prepared a place for us,
that where he is, we may be also.
You make our joy complete.

Lectionary Readings
Ps. 93; 150; 136; 117
Exod. 14:5-22
1 John 1:1-7
John 14:1-7

Selected Verses
Ps. 136:1
O give thanks to the LORD, for he is good,
          for his steadfast love endures forever.

Exod. 14:10
As Pharaoh drew near, the Israelites looked back, and there were the Egyptians advancing on them.  In great fear the Israelites cried out to the LORD.

1 John 1:4-5
We are writing these things so that our joy may be complete.  This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light and in him there is no darkness at all. 

John 14:3
“…And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also.  …”  [The risen Jesus, to his disciples]

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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