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.

Without Waiting for Trouble--Jan. 4, 2021


In our day of trouble, we turn to you, O God,

but without waiting for trouble to come, 

Moses turned aside and found you. 

 

In faith Moses persevered and was satisfied.

We will be satisfied if in Christ we turn 

to you, for we too will find you.

 

Lectionary Readings

Ps. 20; 145; 93; 97

Exod. 3:1-5

Heb. 11:23-31

John 14:6-14

 

Selected Verses 

Ps. 20:1

 The LORD answer you in the day of trouble!
          The name of the God of Jacob protect you!

 

Exod. 3:4

When the LORD saw that he had turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush, “Moses, Moses!”  And he said, “Here I am.” 

 

Heb. 11:27

By faith [Moses] left Egypt, unafraid of the king’s anger; for he persevered as though he saw him who is invisible. 

 

John 14:8-9a

Philip said to [Jesus], “Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied.”  Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and you still do not know me?  …"


Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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