Warriors Arise: January 30, 2021
Daniel 5:8-12 (NKJV) Now all the king's wise men came, but they could not read the writing, or make known to the king its interpretation. 9 Then King Belshazzar was greatly troubled, his countenance was changed, and his lords were astonished. 10 The queen, because of the words of the king and his lords, came to the banquet hall. The queen spoke, saying, “O king, live forever! Do not let your thoughts trouble you, nor let your countenance change. 11 There is a man in your kingdom in whom is the Spirit of the Holy God. And in the days of your father, light and understanding and wisdom, like the wisdom of the gods, were found in him; and King Nebuchadnezzar your father—your father the king—made him chief of the magicians, astrologers, Chaldeans, and soothsayers. 12 Inasmuch as an excellent spirit, knowledge, understanding, interpreting dreams, solving riddles, and explaining enigmas were found in this Daniel, whom the king named Belteshazzar, now let Daniel be called, and he will give the interpretation.”
The queen gave quite a list of Daniel's attributes.
Light and understanding and wisdom, like the wisdom of the gods.
An excellent spirit
Knowledge
Understanding
Interpreting dreams
Solving riddles
Explaining enigmas
What kind of a job could you have if these were listed on your resume with someone like the queen to speak on your behalf?! Even if Belshazzar didn't remember, thankfully his queen did remember her Babylonian history. Daniel was all that and a box of chocolates. Daniel honored God even when he could have been angry and turned his back on God. But he didn't!
Last year was a difficult year; no one will debate that. This year seems to be difficult in a whole new arena but God is faithful. Daniel saw his parents and siblings killed and his homeland devastated by King Nebuchadnezzar and the Babylonian armies. Daniel was brought from Jerusalem to Babylon as a trophy of war and all King Nebuchadnezzar had accomplished in Israel. Daniel devoted himself to God in the midst of serving the king who killed his parents, family, friends and destroyed his homeland. Daniel continued to be faithful to God int he midst of pagan surroundings and people. Daniel kept God as the focus of his heart and mind even though God did not stop King Nebuchadnezzar from conquering Israel. God chose to position Daniel in the midst of a sinful nation to demonstrate the difference between one who honors God and one who is self-seeking, demonized (King Nebuchadnezzar).
As we enter this "dark winter," wondering when the light will shine on our nation again, what will you do? Daniel wasn't the only Israelite brought from Jerusalem the day Nebuchadnezzar conquered the city. There were thousands. However, we only hear of 4 men who remained faithful to honor God. As Christians, will you be one of the four who remain faithful to God or will you be one whose name is never mentioned because you embraced sin, indulgence, and the defiling of one's soul?
Let's look again at how the queen describes Daniel.
Light and understanding and wisdom, like the wisdom of the gods.
An excellent spirit
Knowledge
Understanding
Interpreting dreams
Solving riddles
Explaining enigmas
If you are a Christian, do these describe you? As a Christian, you and I have the Spirit of God in us. Therefore, we have everything Daniel was given. The Spirit of God is the One who leads us to live with an excellent spirit. The Spirit of God is the One who gives us knowledge. The Spirit of God gives us understanding, teaching us the things of God. The Spirit of God is the One who gives us the interpretation of dreams. These are not of ourselves but of the Spirit of God. The Spirit of God is the One who solves riddles. When we ask, He will give you the answer. Daniel proved this over and over again with his life. Many times his life was on the line.
The queen ends saying Daniel can explain enigmas. What do they see before them? An enigma! People of God, honoring God, submitting to God, learning God's voice, are to be able to explain enigmas going on in the world. God wants to position His people to be all of this to the leaders of today.
Father, I know I have the same Spirit of God as Daniel, but I haven't devoted my time to hearing You like Daniel. I am asking for keener hearing. I want to hear what You are saying and if You choose for me to speak it out, I want to have the courage to deliver Your words. I am asking to live with an excellent spirit in all that I do. I want to be efficient, effective and operating in Your wisdom. I ask for knowledge of things I do not know, but You need me to know, so I represent You and walk in Your ways. I pray for clarity in riddles. I ask for You to open my mind to understand and solve the riddles of our time. I pray for the direction of the words and how You want to guide Your people. I pray to be able to interpret dreams. I do not want to guess. I want to know what You are saying to me. I pray for accuracy in dream interpretation. I want to be guided by what You are saying in the dreams. I ask for You to open up my mind to comprehend and deliver what You have given me. I ask for understanding of the words to explain the enigmas in our world today. I want to know what to do with the explanation, how to deliver Your words and apply them to my life and the lives of those around me. I ask for You to make Yourself known and Your plans to be established here on earth as it is in heaven. I ask for You to intervene and make Yourself known by Your love. Your love protects us, provides for us and strengthens us with the courage to walk in Your ways 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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