Warriors Arise: February 28, 2021
Daniel 5:30-31 (NKJV) That very night Belshazzar, king of the Chaldeans, was slain. 31 And Darius the Mede received the kingdom, being about sixty-two years old.
"I still got time" is a quote from a movie, The Incredibles. Mr. Incredible is on his way to his wedding, when it seems like the city is overrun by one act of crime after another. He finished helping catch the crooks and sees there is another need to help catch the bad guys. He looks at his watch and says, "I still got time."
Maybe that is what Belshazzar was thinking, "I still got time." He didn't know when God wrote on the wall and Daniel spoke forth the interpretation he needed to respond immediately. There are times in our life when we need to respond immediately. Immediately means right now, no exceptions, do not collect $200 when passing GO (referencing the game Monopoly).
Sometimes we can infringe upon God's good and gracious nature. Then we turn around and blame God because He let something happen to us that was going to happen if we didn't follow Him, if we didn't do what He said to do right now. God knows the plans the enemy has for us. He sends His people to warn us and call us out of the the enemy's clutches. There are so many times when God warned His people. Some acted immediately and followed God, while others didn't and disaster fell upon them. Is it God's fault the disaster came? No. It is our fault because we didn't listen to God and follow Him away from the disaster.
Lot was warned of the impending doom coming upon Sodom. He collected his wife and two daughters and followed the angel away from the city. They were told to go to the mountains and do not to look back. However, Lot's wife looked back and became a pillar of salt. God was to be obeyed. Because of Abraham's request, Lot, his wife and two daughters were given the opportunity to be delivered from the impending judgement. Lot and his daughters kept their eyes toward the mountains, but not Lot's wife. She didn't heed the warning. I think God told Abraham His plan, because He wanted Abraham to ask for his cousin, Lot and his family to be saved. When God says something He isn't giving us another option to consider, He knows the enemy' plan and is giving you a way out.
I am sure you can think of other examples in history. God comes to His people and tries to call them out of the hands of the enemy but they refuse. They let themselves be fully embraced by the enemy and walk into the trap he has set for them. Take Cain. God comes to him in Genesis chapter 4.
Genesis 4:6-7 (NKJV) So the Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen? 7 If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it.”
God actually went to Cain Himself. God sent an angel to Lot and Daniel to Belshazzar. God will get the Word to You. He sent a dream to Joseph, Mary's husband. If they had not left Bethlehem immediately Jesus might have been killed. Makes me wonder if Joseph was chosen to be Mary's betrothed, because she was going to need a man who would respond to God immediately. Our response to God positions us for greatness or removes us from the blessing God's has for us. Think of Abraham. Why did God wait until Isaac was on the altar and Abraham raising the knife to kill him before God told Abraham to stop? Abraham could be led by God and respond immediately to His voice.
Those who listen to God's voice, the Word of God and respond immediately do great things! There is no doubt about it! You and I are called to do great things with God. Our response time to what God has said is important to the outcome of the impending disaster or the blessing of deliverance, freedom, and provision. What is your response time to God?
Father, too many times I have thought that Your instructions were something just for me to consider. I ask for You to forgive me. How arrogant I was. You were giving me the keys to unlock the door and escape the trap the enemy had set for me. Life doesn't have to be hard but it has been each time I haven't listened to You or when I have not given You a place to speak to me, to guide me. I ask to be able to hear Your voice. I do not want to mistake Your voice, Your leading for my own thoughts or another person's opinion. I want to know what You are saying and follow. I want to get free from the clutches of the enemy. I want the fullness of Your blessing in my life. I ask for You to teach me Your ways and open my ears to hear Your voice. I pray I would be led by You and walk in the fullness of You amazing love. You desire for me to submit to You, rebuke the enemy and then he must leave according to James 4:7. I embrace what You are doing to teach me of Your ways and to recognize Your voice. Come and speak to me. Lead me in righteousness and all truth 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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