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.

Take Courage--March 4, 2021

 

When we are appalled by the news,

astounded by what is happening, 

teach us to wait, be strong, 

and take courage.

 

If we are ready

to be doers of your will,

gracious God, not just hearers,

you astonish us with what you can do. 

 

Lectionary Readings

Ps. 27; 147:12-20; 126; 102

Jer. 4:9-10, 19-28

Rom. 2:12-24

John 5:19-29

 

Selected Verses 

Ps. 27:14

Wait for the LORD;
          be strong, and let your heart take courage;
          wait for the LORD!

 

Jer. 4:9

On that day, says the LORD, courage shall fail the king and the officials; the priests shall be appalled and the prophets astounded.

 

Rom. 2:13

For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous in God’s sight, but the doers of the law who will be justified.

 

John 5:20

“…The Father loves the Son and shows him all that he himself is doing; and he will show him greater works than these, so that you will be astonished.  …”  [Jesus, to his persecutors]  


Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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