Warriors Arise: April 2, 2021
Daniel 6:19 (NKJV) Then the king arose very early in the morning and went in haste to the den of lions.
There is just something about Darius that I really like! He rose very early in the morning. He didn't rise early, he rose very early. There was no time to waste. He had to know.
What did he have to know? He had to know, did Daniel's God protect him? Darius could not stop the fulfillment of the law, but Daniel's God had done some amazing things. He had defied the laws of nature when causing a divide in the Red Sea and the Jordan. He had made the sun stand still for Joshua. He had directed the animals to the ark when the flood came upon the earth. I would imagine Darius had heard many of the deeds of Daniel's God. Even if Daniel had not shared the amazing acts of God, Darius would have heard of the Hebrews and their God.
Darius would have wanted to know more about Daniel as he came close to his decision on who to place in charge of the rest of his governors. He chose Daniel, a decision he would not have taken lightly. He would have wanted to know his criteria, test his wisdom, and know the depth of his character before giving him authority over the rest of the governors and satraps.
I believe Darius knew Daniel's God could save him. There was a reason Darius and his men did not kill Daniel when they killed Belshazzar. Remember, Daniel was third in the kingdom. He had just been given that position within hours of Belshazzar's death.
Darius knew of Daniel's love and devotion to his God. Could he have been unsure of God's love for Daniel? When we wonder if God can do the impossible we are questioning His ability and power. I think Darius knew God had the power, He could save him. When we debate on whether God will do the impossible in our situation, we question His love for us and our value to Him. Darius rose early because he wanted to believe God loved Daniel as much as Daniel loved God. He had to see with his own eyes. He had to know. Daniel's devotion to his God surely did not cost him his life.
God created each person, each one of us. Most of us believe God is the supreme authority over all power. However, most of us also struggle with our value. If God could do anything, would He? Would He have compassion on us, make a way out?
Mark 9:17-27 (NKJV) Then one of the crowd answered and said, “Teacher, I brought You my son, who has a mute spirit. 18 And wherever it seizes him, it throws him down; he foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth, and becomes rigid. So I spoke to Your disciples, that they should cast it out, but they could not.” 19 He answered him and said, “O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I bear with you? Bring him to Me.” 20 Then they brought him to Him. And when he saw Him, immediately the spirit convulsed him, and he fell on the ground and wallowed, foaming at the mouth. 21 So He asked his father, “How long has this been happening to him?” And he said, “From childhood. 22 And often he has thrown him both into the fire and into the water to destroy him. But if You can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.” 23 Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.” 24 Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!” 25 When Jesus saw that the people came running together, He rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, “Deaf and dumb spirit, I command you, come out of him and enter him no more!” 26 Then the spirit cried out, convulsed him greatly, and came out of him. And he became as one dead, so that many said, “He is dead.” 27 But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up, and he arose.
The father needed to know if Jesus could do anything but if He couldn't would he at least have compassion on his son. He brought his son to Jesus, but He was up on the mountain praying. So, he asked the disciples to deliver his son but they could not. They did not have the power. We find out later, in verse 29 when Jesus tells the disciples, "This one comes out by nothing but prayer and fasting." Jesus had been on the mountain, praying and fasting. He was prepared for what was in the valley.
Sometimes it isn't that you didn't show up, but that you didn't prepare before you showed up (to work, to church, at home, etc.).
You weren't prepared for what was happening at work before you arrived, so you didn't handle things as they should have been handled.
You didn't show up to church to worship God, so you didn't get what you felt He should have given you.
You didn't rid yourself of your frustrating work day, so you blew your lid when you got home because things were in chaos when you arrived.
Some may have thought Jesus was rude to keep them waiting. Didn't He know they were there to see Him, not His second rate disciples? However, Scripture tells us Jesus only did what He saw the Father doing. Jesus wasn't going to leave the presence of His Father to be controlled by the wishes of the mob. Jesus was human, He got His strength from the Father. We are to spend the time with the Father so we are prepared to face whatever our day holds.
The father of the boy petitions Jesus, "If you can do anything, have compassion on us..." He knows Jesus has the power, but he is unsure if Jesus will place value on his son, on him. Will Jesus be moved with compassion to release His power to free his son?
Darius knw Daniel's God had the power but he didn't know if He loved Daniel enough to save him. Darius tried all day to find a way to keep from having to cast Daniel into the lion's den. But there was nothing Darius could do. He was bound by the law of the Medes and the Persians. It was not an issue of love. Darius valued Daniel. For Darius, it was a matter of power. He did not have it. He could not overturn the law.
As he rose very early that morning and hastened to the lion's den, he knew God's power and Daniel's love for his God but he wanted to know if God loved Daniel enough to save him.
Father, my God, I know You are powerful. You are second to none. I know Your mercies are new every morning. I pray for Your love to be poured down upon me. I want to know the fullness of Your love. I have called out to You and You have rescued me. I have sought You for wisdom and You spoke. I have needed understanding and You have given it to me liberally. I have asked for Your protection and the enemy stands back. When I seek You, I see Your love poured into my life. I see how You reach out and call me to Yourself. You make time for me. You direct my path so that I receive the fullness of Your blessing. You position people around me who will speak life into me. You are faithful at all times in all situations. I seek Your face and listen for Your voice. You love for me is beyond words. You demonstrate You compassion toward me. You are for me and I will rise up out of the ashes and call forth Your kingdom to be expanded here on earth 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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