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.

Root Downward, Bear Upward--Oct. 2, 2019

[From Oct. 5, 2019 archive]

 

O God, in all generations

you have been our dwelling place.

You are faithful; do not let us be tested

beyond our strength—provide the

way out, so we will endure.

 

Save your people

when we are perishing—

may we take root downward

where you have placed us,

and bear fruit upward

to you.

 

Lectionary Readings

Ps. 63; 149; 125; 90

2 Kings 19:21-36

1 Cor. 10:1-13

Matt. 8:18-27

 

Selected Verses 

Ps. 90:1

Lord, you have been our dwelling place
          in all generations.

 

2 Kings 19:30

“…The surviving remnant of the house of Judah shall again take root downward, and bear fruit upward…[The LORD, to Israel]

 

1 Cor. 10:13b

God is faithful, and he will not let you be tested beyond your strength, but with the testing he will also provide the way out so that you may be able to endure it.

 

Matt. 8:24-25

A windstorm arose on the sea, so great that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but [Jesus] was asleep.  And [his disciples] went and woke him up, saying, “Lord, save us!  We are perishing!” 


Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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