Author: Danny Panter

Re:Verse reading–Daniel 6 (day six)  

As I write this, Anna and I are wrapping up a few days of respite in the Hill Country (that’s the reason for the delayed posting). It was needed. Getting away, waking up in the morning to deer in the field in front of you, with hills rolling in distance, reading God’s Word, prayer, all of it has been refreshing to our souls. Daniel’s respite was his upper chamber in his house with the windows opened facing Jerusalem; there he would pray three times a day. When he faced new pressures from the state, he would go pray. When he faced jealous colleagues, he would go pray in his upper chamber. When his day was easy, he would go pray. Prayer was his respite on good and bad days; it was a part of his everyday rhythm.

You don’t have to go to the Hill Country for respite, but you need it daily like Daniel. Where you do you go pray? Where do you go to refresh your soul when the pressures mount? Find a time and a place; go pray. Your soul needs it.

Seek the welfare of the city,…for in its welfare you will find your welfare. Jeremiah 29:7

“Love your neighbor as your self.”-Jesus

It does us good to do good to others. Is that okay to say out loud? Should we be motivated to do good to others because it is a good return on our investment? According to Jesus, yes. It’s okay to seek your own welfare while pursuing the welfare of others. That’s how God’s economy works. Jesus even said, “it’s more blessed to give than to receive.” Clearly, he inspires us to give sacrificially to others by offering us greater blessing.

Now, this is true in two ways. The first is obvious, when you invest in the welfare of others, overtime it can only bring great benefit to you; giving begets giving (and thus receiving). The second is a greater blessing, when we give or seek the welfare of others we point others to the greater benefactor-God. We give because God gives, in fact no one can out give Him. So, when we give we glorify God, and that is a superior blessing.

Re:Verse reading—Psalm 27 (day six)

The Psalms are full of beautiful theological truths; there is much to be learned about God from the words the poet is inspired to write, but we not only learn from their content but also their form. Psalm 27 is a wonderful example. David moves from hopeful affirmations, to spiritual longings, and then into prayer. In fact, the majority of Psalm 27 is a prayer.

What can we learn from these forms? We learn that as David works out these truths of God in real life (in this case fear), his faith finds its fullest expression in actual prayer, real, gutsy prayer. The Psalms would lead us to believe, that regardless of what we face in this life, it cannot be devoid of real prayer. In this way prayer becomes the feet of our faith; what we believe and hope in God.

So, let me ask you, do you pray? Does what you believe about God work itself out in real life and find its way into real-life prayer?

Re:Verse reading—Psalm 23 (day six) 

There is a lot of goodness in Psalm 23. God’s provision, His care and help are dear truths, among several others. More than these, or their summary, David is reminding us that we are not alone. Not in the abstract way at all, but real and close; although at times with our deadened senses, He can be hard to see or hear. But He is there all along. And like a good friend, he listens rather than interjects, nor makes attempts at quick fixes. Every so often, without even a word, he reminds us, I’m bigger than this scary moment. I can carry it. My son already has.

In the world you will have trouble, but take heart, I have overcome the world. –Jesus

I will never leave you or forsake you. –Jesus

Re:Verse reading–2 Kings 5 (day six)

“Send him to me so he may know there is a prophet in Israel.”- Elisha

Naaman’s need was great; he needed healing, but not the kind he expected. Elisha knew though; he was interested in far more than healing his skin, he wanted Naaman to “know there is a prophet in Israel.” In short, he wanted to put the fear of God in Naaman, that there is no god like our God.

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom…and faith. Naaman left with both.

Re:Verse reading–Genesis 37:14-28, 50:15-21 (day six)

I’m sure Joseph had his down days, but on the whole it seemed that he always was a blessing to others. It didn’t even matter who they were, baker, governor, or pharaoh; he blessed them all. This is remarkable given his circumstances. He never allowed his hard circumstances to dictate his behavior or how he treated others, and people took notice.

Will you bless others even when life has treated you harshly? There’s a gospel story there; let it be told.