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.

Lest Love Grow Cold--Dec. 11, 2021

[From Dec. 10, 2011 archive]

 

The silver is yours, and the gold.  

All things are yours, and time is yours.

 

What are we, but helpless creatures 

before your might?

 

You do not expect us to be helpless, though.

You expect us to be awake and strong in your service.

 

You expect our love to be warm.

You expect us to endure to the end, in spite of hardship.

 

Strengthen us with the presence of your Holy Spirit,

that we may live as you expect.

 

Lectionary Readings

Ps. 90; 149; 80; 72

Hag. 2:1-9

Rev. 3:1-6

Matt. 24:1-14

 

Selected Verses 

Ps. 90:2

Before the mountains were brought forth, 
          or ever you had formed the earth and the world, 
          from everlasting to everlasting you are God.

 

Hag. 2:8

The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, says the LORD of hosts.

 

Rev. 3:1-2

“I know your works; you have a name of being alive, but you are dead.  Wake up, and strengthen what remains and is on the point of death, for I have not found your works perfect in the sight of my God.  …”  [He who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars, to the angel of the church in Sardis]

 

Matt. 24:1-14

“…And because of the increase of lawlessness, the love of many will grow cold.  But the one who endures to the end will be saved.  …”  [Jesus, to his disciples]

 

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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