Warriors Arise: April 28, 2021
Daniel 6:25-26a (NKJV) Then King Darius wrote: To all peoples, nations, and languages that dwell in all the earth: Peace be multiplied to you. 26 I make a decree that in every dominion of my kingdom men must tremble and fear before the God of Daniel.
I have read the underlined part of verse 26 for several days now. My mind is trying to wrap around why Darius would put this in his decrees. Why does he want in every dominion of his kingdom to tremble and fear in the presence of Daniel's God? He is not making a suggestion. He is giving a decree. It is without exception. It is an order. What is he ordering them to do? By law, he is commanding in his kingdom, everywhere he has dominion that men must tremble and fear before the God of Daniel. It is an unnecessary statement to use "must." It is s decree; therefore, it is law.
Why would he use the word must? Generally, when we repeat ourselves, we are wanting to stress or give further importance because we don't believe people fully comprehend what we said. We add emphasis because what we are sharing is beyond what their mind conceives. If Darius had not seen with his own eyes, would he have believed? So what could he say, how could he say it so the men of his kingdom believe?
Oddly, he tries to emphasize the importance of what he wants them to believe by making a decree. Then he added "must" to give weight to what he has said. There are people in the Bible who worshipped God even though they were not yet in relationship with Him. At the time, they were Gentiles. They were not Jews. However, they believed everything Darius wants his people to believe about Daniel's God.
Cornelius
The Centurion (who understood authority)
Rahab
Ruth
The jailor who was saved by Paul and Silas (he and his household were saved)
Ninevites (when Jonah was sent to declare God's doom)
It is as if Darius is saying, "Do you know what He has done? You must believe." We can't really make anyone believe. But when they come to the understanding, then they have a choice as to whether they will believe. God is faithful to reveal Himself. When we testify of His demonstrative power, He desires for us to share with others what we have seen Him do. There is power in our willingness, ability and courage to share what He has done. There is power in the testimony when we share how God intervened on behalf of His people. If we do not share, how will others know?
We are to be bold in asking, "Do you know what God has done?" Our God is a do-it-again God. Think of all the miracles in the Bible that were duplicated.
Moses and the children of Israel cross the Red Sea.
Joshua and the children of Israel cross the Jordan River at flood stage.
The waters parted for Elijah.
The waters parted for Elisha.
Sun moved back for Hezekiah.
Sun stood still for Joshua.
I am not sure Darius knew what to do with what he saw God do. There are two diametrically opposed responses to experiencing the miraculous. We either reject what God has done or we are in pursuit to know more. I imagine Darius in diligent pursuit to know more of God. I can picture him having Daniel share more of what his God had done. Darius already knew of the writing on the wall, a judgement on a wicked, arrogant king who had no fear of God. And now, Darius experienced God as He protected His beloved Daniel from the lions. I bet when Daniel shared about how Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego were thrown into the fiery furnace Darius was wide-eyed. Then when Daniel shared about his word for Nebuchadnezzar to not allow his arrogance grow and one year later he declared that all he had was done by his hand instead of God who gave it to him. As Daniel shared the guards threw Nebuchadnezzar out of the castle that very moment. Think of the fear that might have come upon Darius. He did not want to wind up like Nebuchadnezzar nor Belshazzar. So, he responds with a decree. He doesn't know what else to do but his kingdom needed to know about Daniel's God. Darius used his authority to make the name of God known throughout his kingdom. What he thought to be fairy tales before conquering Babylon he now knows as truth. There is no doubt in his mind, Daniel served the one and only God who created everything, whose power is limitless, and whose love abounds. Everyone needs to know what Daniel's God has done. His name should be feared and we should tremble at His greatness. His love toward His faithful abounds.
Father, Your love is amazing! Your power is unstoppable. You are everything we need. Your strength gives us courage. The demonstration of Your love is overwhelming. Open my eyes so I see You in action in my life. Open my ears to hear Your voice. Show me how I can be involved in testifying of Your greatness. I desire to hear of Your deeds, to honor You and walk in Your ways. When I hear what You have done in the life of another it strengthens me to believe for what I need You to do in my life. Reveal to me Your goodness. Lead me into triumph. Give me boldness to believe all You have for me. I pray for You to come and minister Your life. Breathe upon us again. We need Your peace to encompass us. I ask for You to give hope to the weary. I ask for the righteous to listen to Your leading. I ask for jobs to open up for those who have lost their jobs. I pray for finances to be restored to those who have lost from the pandemic. I ask for You to position Your people in the safety of Your arms. I ask for You to open up doors of opportunity for Your people, those who are faithful to Your Word, Your ways, and Your cause. I pray Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. You are faithful to deliver us and set our feet upon the high ground. You position us to expand Your kingdom. You send people and necessary resources for Your people to prosper according to Your will. You are my God and there is no other 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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