Warriors Arise: April 12, 2021
Daniel 6:18-22 (NKJV) Now the king went to his palace and spent the night fasting; and no musicians were brought before him. Also his sleep went from him. 19 Then the king arose very early in the morning and went in haste to the den of lions. 20 And when he came to the den, he cried out with a lamenting voice to Daniel. The king spoke, saying to Daniel, “Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to deliver you from the lions?” 21 Then Daniel said to the king, “O king, live forever! 22 My God sent His angel and shut the lions’ mouths, so that they have not hurt me, because I was found innocent before Him; and also, O king, I have done no wrong before you.”
After the darkness comes the light. As consistent as knowing the earth will rotate through the night and we will see the sun tomorrow so is the faithfulness of our God. He does not abandon us to the darkness. He does not give way to the torment of the enemy. God seeks after us. He leaves the 99 and comes to find us. God protects us from the prowling enemy. The enemy may be allowed to be in our presence but he cannot harm us.
Most of us are familiar with Psalm 23. This would have been written long before Daniel's time. He might have known of it. Maybe he heard the priest sing it in the temple in Jerusalem. Maybe when Daniel was taken captive by Nebuchadnezzar and imprisoned along the walk to Babylon he sang Psalm 23. When the enemy tries to torment you with fear how do you respond?
I will do several things: Remind the Father of His Word; because His perfect love casts out fear I ask to be filled to overflowing with His love; and I sing songs declaring the faithfulness of my God.
Psalms 23 (NKJV)
The Lord is my shepherd;
I shall not want.
2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside the still waters.
3 He restores my soul;
He leads me in the paths of righteousness
For His name's sake.
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil;
For You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil;
My cup runs over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
All the days of my life;
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord
Forever.
I really like Psalm 23. Verse 4 establishes that God is with us in the valley of the shadow of death. Therefore, since God is with us we have absolutely nothing to fear. When you know God is with you and are assured of His love for you, something rises up within you and you know darkness cannot last. The light will come.
Then verse 5 is over-the-top because when you really think about it, you just might laugh. The enemy who hates you and I with a passion. The one who is tormenting you day and night has to watch God prepare a table right in from of him. After you get done eating all God has prepared for you with His abundant provision, the enemy has to watch God anoint you. God doesn't just do a little oil on your forehead. God pours the anointing oil all over your, it is dripping off your hair and fingertips. It saturates all that you are and the dreams God has placed inside of you. God doesn't pull you aside and take you to a secret place to do this. God comes right to the place where the enemy is tormenting you and makes the enemy watch as He abundantly provides for you and seals you with the anointing oil.
Just think of a time when you were bullied. In that moment someone with great authority comes and sets up a banquet for you with all your favorite foods. They have you sit down and then join you. They fellowship with you. The bully is standing their gawking, unable to move, stunned by what is unfolding in front of him. Then this person of great authority stands up, puts their hands on your shoulders and announces that no one is to harm you in any way and everyone is to help you achieve your dreams. How do you think that bully is feeling? What is he thinking? I am sure he is madder than a hornet. This is why I think Psalm 23:5 can be humorous. If we only believed that after the darkness comes the light.
Father, the darkness can seem to last forever. Daniel was not even in the lion's den 12 hours but I bet it seemed like an eternity. Sometimes the darkness can be so overpowering until I remember what You have promised, until I make myself sing of Your faithfulness. When I remember your Word I know I can stand upon each promise. Your Word is a firm foundation upon with I live in Your presence. You are the light in my life. I look to You. I will call upon You and believe what You have promised. I will believe what you have done for another person that You desire to do for me too. I believe You will empower me to rise up out of the torment of my enemies and walk in the fullness of my calling. I will be who You dreamed I would be. I will bless Your Holy Name. I will be faithful in the darkness and see the light of deliverance in Jesus' name amen.
A Warrior in the Lord’s Army,
Veridee Joy Hand
My hope is for Believers in Jesus Christ to join together each day to pray, to push back the enemy as we release God’s power here on earth against the coronavirus, riots, and lies. The prayers will be listed each day as Warriors Arise. I will put a date with it so we can keep them straight. If you have any questions please feel free to make a comment or private message me. If you would like this to come to your email directly please go to verideehand.com and subscribe.
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