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.

I Must Look to Jesus--Jan. 5, 2021

How shall I be strong and courageous, O Lord?

how run with perseverance what is before me?

 

I must look to Jesus, the pioneer and perfector 

of my faith, who endured the cross and shame.

 

I must look to Jesus, who out of his great love

laid down his life for his friends, and for me. 

 

I must look to Jesus; for my hope is in him,

and I must love others as he loves me.

 

Christ, be with me wherever I go;

my hope is in you, Lord Jesus.

 

Lectionary Readings

Ps. 99; 146; 96; 110

Josh. 1:1-9

Heb. 11:32-12:2

John 15:1-16

 

Selected Verses 

Ps. 146:5

Happy are those whose help is the God of Jacob,
          whose hope is in the LORD their God…

 

Josh. 1:9

“…I hereby command you: Be strong and courageous; do not be frightened or dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”  [The LORD, to Joshua]

 

Heb. 12:1b-2

…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 15:12-13

“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.  No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.  …”  [Jesus, to his disciples]


Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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