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.

Not Impossible for God--Dec. 17, 2021

[From Dec. 16, 2011 archive;

adapted from my Dec. 17, 1999 journal]

 

Unchanging God of Creation, 

what seems impossible to us

is not impossible for you,

for you reap where 

you do not sow.

 

We pass away, the earth 

and heavens will pass away; 

whereas your years have no end.

 

Let every creature in heaven and 

earth and under the earth 

and in the sea sing

your praises. 

 

Let all fall

down and

worship.

 

Lectionary Readings

Ps. 102; 148; 130; 16

Zech. 7:8-8:8

Rev. 5:6-14

Matt. 25:14-30

 

Selected Verses 

Ps. 102:26c-27

You change them like clothing, and they pass away;

      but you are the same, and your years have no end.

 

Zech. 8:6

Thus says the LORD of hosts: Even though it seems impossible to the remnant of this people in these days, should it also seem impossible to me, says the LORD of hosts?

 

Rev. 5:13-14

Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, singing, “To the one seated on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!”  And the four living creatures said, “Amen!” And the elders fell down and worshiped.

 

Matt. 25:24

“…Then the one who had received the one talent also came forward, saying, ‘Master, I knew that you were a harsh man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you did not scatter seed…’”  [Jesus, to his disciples]


Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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