Author: Danny Panter

Re:Verse passage – Psalm 72:1-14 (day six)

The Church is called to be a living preview of the kingdom to come—a foretaste of the universal reign of Jesus. We are meant to embody the justice, blessing, and flourishing promised in Psalm 72. As heirs of God’s promises, we are empowered to confront the brokenness around us and bring renewal.

Where injustice reigns, we work to set things right. In a world of crooked paths, we are called to walk uprightly and lead others to do the same. Where there is suffering, we bring healing. Where there is need, we respond with generosity. Where darkness looms, we shine the light of Christ. When the world exalts power and greed, we exalt the humble and eternal King, Jesus—the heir to David’s throne, who reigns from everlasting to everlasting.

Until the day of His return, we are the city on a hill, shining with the light of hope, love, and redemption. In every act of justice, mercy, and grace, we reflect the reign of our coming King and point the world to the glorious day when His kingdom will come in its fullness.

Re:Verse passage – Psalm 96 (day six)

Glory to God in highest heaven,
    and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased. Luke 2:14

¹⁴ So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son. John 1:14

The root of the Hebrew word for glory is “heavy” or “weighty,” as in heavy treasure. Something glorious has inherent value. Therefore,  “ascribing glory” (Psalm 96:7) is not adding value but acknowledging value.

When John writes, “We have seen his glory,” he is saying that they encountered the whole nature of Jesus, the Son of God; they saw him for who he was. It is an awesome thought that the Creator became man (entered creation) so the disciples (and others) could behold his glory or see him for who he really was. And now, through their testimony, so do we.

Re:Verse passage – Psalm 89 (day six)

For the mountains may move
    and the hills disappear,
but even then my faithful love for you will remain.
    My covenant of blessing will never be broken,”
    says the Lord, who has mercy on you. Isaiah 54:10

One of the words most often used to describe God’s love is steadfast. The word comes from the old English words “stede,” meaning place, and “fæst,” meaning firm or fixed. It is hard to imagine anything more firmly fixed in place than a mountain. Geologists estimate Enchanted Rock is one billion years old (if you are comfortable with an old earth). Even if it were a few thousand years old, that’s firmly fixed in its place. And yet God’s love is even more steadfast; it is immovable, eternally reliable, unwavering, and resolute.

We don’t always describe love in those terms. Our love can be fickle; it changes with the wind. We fall in and out of love.

God never falls in or out of love, he is love. It is that kind of love that is turned towards us in Christ.

Amen.

Re:Verse passage – Psalm 98 (day six)

The scope of Psalm 98 is breathtaking. It commands us to sing a new song—a joyful response to God’s glorious acts. This is not merely a song of the moment but one rooted in inexhaustible inspiration. The display of His righteousness in Jesus is a wellspring that never runs dry. His glory is infinite.

Psalm 98 invites us to reflect on God’s mighty deeds in the past and anticipate His future work in Christ. The content of our joyful singing spans past, present, and future, declaring that His redemption is complete.

The psalm moves in expanding circles of praise: first Israel, then all the world, and finally all creation. It calls everything in the heavens and on earth to sing, shout, and roar in worship. This new song is a cosmic chorus, encompassing all of creation.

Ultimately, it’s a matter of scope. He is worthy of all our praise—of everything we can give and more. That is the point: His glory deserves nothing less.

Re:Verse passage – Psalm 85:1-3, 8-13(day six)

I listen carefully to what God the Lord is saying,
    for he speaks peace to his faithful people. Psalm 85:

Have you ever experienced a conflict with someone you deeply care about, anxiously longing to hear the reassuring words, “I love you; we’re okay”? That seems to be the sentiment the writer of Psalm 85 conveys; Israel longed for a restored relationship with God. They listened for words of peace.

Ultimately, their waiting is fulfilled when God sends THE WORD (John 1:1). In Jesus, peace is both a declaration (God speaking) and a person. We have peace with God THROUGH Christ. Jesus didn’t just mediate our peace (through his death and resurrection), he is our daily and eternal peace with God.

Re:Verse passage – Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19(day six)

Those who originally sang this psalm had every reason to lament. They likely were exiles from the northern kingdom after Assyria’s conquest. They saw their city burn, friends and family die, and now they were far from home. It was out of their deep lament and longing for restoration that hope was born.

Real lament keeps hope honest. In other words, if we do not understand our need, hope is nothing more than a word.

We begin this Advent season with HOPE. Ask the Lord to help you see your own need for rescue and restoration for today and tomorrow, which can’t help but overflow into real and daily hope in Jesus.