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.

Faithful Even in a Very Little--Nov. 14, 2021

[From Nov. 15, 2009 archive; 

adapted from my journal of Nov. 14, 1999]

 

God, our God, you are exalted in all your creation;

yet you call us to be still before you, to know you.

 

Lord, let your gracious hand be upon your people.

Teach us to take courage from the support of others.

 

May we be faithful even in things that matter little,

lest we be unfaithful even in things that matter much.

 

Lectionary Readings

Ps. 67; 150; 46; 93

Ezra 7:1-26

Acts 28:14b-23

Luke 16:1-13

 

Selected Verses 

Ps. 46:10

“Be still, and know that I am God!

            I am exalted among the nations,

            I am exalted in the earth.”

 

Ezra 7:9

On the first day of the first month the journey up from Babylon was begun, and on the first day of the fifth month [Ezra] came to Jerusalem, for the gracious hand of his God was upon him.

 

Acts 28:14b-15

And so we came to Rome.  The believers from there, when they heard of us, came as far as the Forum of Appius and Three Taverns to meet us.  On seeing them, Paul thanked God and took courage.

 

Luke 16:10

“…Whoever is faithful in a very little is faithful also in much; and whoever is dishonest in a very little is dishonest also in much.  …  ”  [Jesus, to his disciples]


Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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