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.

When Trouble Is Near--March 19, 2021

 

Lord Jesus Christ, abide in us,

that we may abide in you.

With you as our Shepherd,

we shall not fear or be dismayed.

 

Who will separate us from your love?

Neither hardship nor distress,

persecution nor nakedness,

famine nor peril nor sword;

and neither shall any be missing.

 

On you we were cast from our birth.

Since our mothers bore us

you have been our Savior.

Be not far from us when trouble is near.

 

Lectionary Readings

Ps. 22; 148; 105; 130

Jer. 23:1-8

Rom. 8:28-39

John 6:52-59

 

Selected Verses 

Ps. 22:10-11

On you I was cast from my birth,
          and since my mother bore me you have been my God.

Do not be far from me,
          for trouble is near
          and there is no one to help.

 

Jer. 23:4

I will raise up shepherds over them who will shepherd them, and they shall not fear any longer, or be dismayed, nor shall any be missing, says the LORD.

 

Rom. 8:35

Who will separate us from the love of Christ?  Will hardship, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

 

John 6:56

“…Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood abide in me, and I in them.  …”  [Jesus, to those who complained about him]


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