Warriors Arise: March 3, 2021
You can do all the right things, step out in courage and faith to do exactly what God has positioned you to do and still not make the impact you had hoped for. We don't know if Daniel wanted Belshazzar to repent for his blasphemous ways toward God. We don't know if Belshazzar had repented if he would have lived another day. What we do know is that God positioned Daniel to interpret what God had written on the wall. Whether Daniel was to point out Belshazzar's family history with God or not, we do not know; but Daniel felt the need and was given the opportunity to speak.
Yesterday I shared about the lessons everyone else in the room could have learned. But what was Daniel's lesson to learn? If you have been in Daniel's position you might feel very passionate about the amount of pressure put on you. Daniel might have thought, "I went through all of that and nothing! The king didn't repent! Now he's dead! What good did I really do?"
I do not care to be in situations like that. It is extremely stressful to have to keep yourself restrained with all things you want to say and make sure you only say exactly what God wants said. But in the end, when it is all said and done, what was the lesson Daniel would learn?
This wasn't Daniel's first time to speak to a king, to bring the Word of the Lord, to issue instructions and correction. When he was used by God years earlier when he stood before Nebuchanezzar, Daniel says, "Oh that this would be for your enemies and not for you..." Even so, Daniel had a lesson to learn. If he had already learned it, he had to trust what he knew of God.
God will position His people to speak forth His truths. We are to obey God and deliver the message, encourage people to walk in righteousness, and build them up in Christ. However, sometimes it seems like no one acts upon what God has instructed us to tell them. It can be frustrating especially if your heart is to offer them what you know will bless them, make a change in their life, even a change they want. Maybe Belshazzar wanted to change but he didn't know how or it seemed too far out of reach. Maybe he felt it was all hopeless.
Daniel might have been thinking the same thing about Belshazzar. But God had positioned him to speak the truth, to read the writing on the wall, and to interpret what God had written. Then Daniel had to apply what he knew to be true, the lesson he knew he had to live. Daniel had to trust God in all things. He said what he was positioned there to say. He stepped up to the plate and presented the truth about God, His love and opportunity for repentance. Then he has to step back.
It is so difficult to speak what you know God has sent you to say and not see any change of heart, raise in countenance, or national repentance started right here in the throne room that might have saved Belshazzar's life. Most of us are not in a situation like that. But we can be moved by God to offer the truth, the opportunity for a change and still be rejected.
Sharing the truth of God's word or the opportunity, the way out of a situation and have people turn it down used to crush me. My heart is for people to be fully walking in all God has for them. When God has given me the word of encouragement or the wisdom they need for their breakthrough and they don't take it, I used to be disturbed for days, weeks, even months. Finally, I heard God speak very clearly, "They aren't rejecting you. They are rejecting Me."
What?
Wow!
Ok.
As I processed what God spoke to me, my mind was blown! It still hurts but since the idea didn't originate with me and God didn't hold me responsible for messing up or not saying what He wanted me to say then I could turn it over to Him. God shared, "Veridee, everybody get's to choose. They can receive my wisdom, the opportunity I tell you to lay before them and take the open door or they can remain where they are, doing what they are doing. It is their choice. If they didn't get to choose then it would be love. Sometimes people don't know how to receive my love. They struggle when I offer them a yoke that is easy. They do not realize or won't believe I will make a way out and was using you to tell them."
When God revealed this to me, it did help but I still felt compassion for them. I still hoped they would receive the word and act on what God was placing before them. But in the end, I had to trust God. It isn't always in the outcome; it is in my obedience to do what God has say to do and say what God has said to say. God's love is amazing. His desire is to bring salvation to all people. Many times that salvation is something we need to expand to save us from ourselves and the belief that life will always be hard for us.
Daniel's lesson, speak what God says to speak and do what God says to do. Everybody gets to make their own decision. Know God's mercy and love are for everyone.
Father, I ask for You to keep my heart in check. It is not my place to "make" someone do what You want them to do. I must love them enough to allow them to make their own decisions. Your love is so amazing. I have a hard time understanding it at times. You have spoken to me and I have rejected You because I did not do what You have said I needed to do. I ask for You to forgive me. I was wrong to do my own thing and reject Your wisdom, Your way out. Life doesn't always have to be hard but there were a number of times I made decisions to that caused my own hardship. You didn't want it to be so difficult but for whatever reason, I chose the difficult path. I pray You would come and speak to me. If there are any words You have spoken to me that I have neglected or cast aside I ask to be reminded of what You said and make the change. My plan doesn't even come close to the plans You have for me. I repent for choosing my ways over what You have provided, the way out and the open door. You are amazing! I ask for You to come and restore what I have rejected. I want to make the change to Your plan today 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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