Warriors Arise: April 1, 2021
Daniel 6:16-19 (NKJV) So the king gave the command, and they brought Daniel and cast him into the den of lions. But the king spoke, saying to Daniel, “Your God, whom you serve continually, He will deliver you.” 17 Then a stone was brought and laid on the mouth of the den, and the king sealed it with his own signet ring and with the signets of his lords, that the purpose concerning Daniel might not be changed. 18 Now the king went to his palace and spent the night fasting; and no musicians were brought before him. Also his sleep went from him. 19 Then the king arose very early in the morning and went in haste to the den of lions.
I really like Darius. I guess I identify with his situation. Not that I have been king; but I have wanted to change the outcome of a situation. Whether it was my fault, someone is in the hot spot or someone else's fault; I have wanted to help people out of muck they have so willingly stepped into. I have wanted to find a way they didn't have to go through a hardship. I have wanted to provide an answer that would satisfy all involved without someone getting cast out of the group or into a den of lions, the gossiper, the slanderers, the divisive, unbelieving people without grace.
Darius allowed himself to be persuaded to sign the decree without fully thinking it through or even asking Daniel. Think about it. Daniel was his number one adviser but these governors and satraps approached the king specifically when Daniel was not around. They lied by saying all the governors wanted this and thought it was a good idea. But Darius did not allow his heart to be discouraged. He did everything he could. He sought the laws of the land, of the Medes and the Persians. He encouraged Daniel and declared God's protection over him. He then fasted and positioned himself to keep vigil for Daniel.
Vigil: a period of keeping awake during the time usually spent asleep, especially to keep watch or pray. It is a stationary, peaceful demonstration in support of a particular cause, typically without speeches.
Darius felt it necessary to keep awake, to watch, to be stationary, showing support for Daniel without speeches. Here we have an unbeliever who knew how to keep watch. It reminds me of Jesus asking His disciples to keep watch with Him. He wanted someone, his closest three disciples, to keep watch as He met with His Father.
Matthew 26:36-38 (NKJV) Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and said to the disciples, “Sit here while I go and pray over there.” 37 And He took with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and He began to be sorrowful and deeply distressed. 38 Then He said to them, “My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch with Me.”
My heart aches with this event. These men had been with Jesus for 3 1/2 years. Jesus had taught them to pray. He was in anguish. He told them, "My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death." Jesus asked. He wanted His friends to support Him. Even though they still did not get what was about to happen. He wanted them to watch and pray. He wanted them to engage the Father on His behalf.
We do not see in Daniel ask Darius to pray for him. We do not see Daniel say, " My soul is exceedingly sorrowful." Darius responds without Daniel asking him. Was Darius talking into something that wasn't supposed to be?
We have time in Scripture where it seems another person was able to change the plans of God.
John 2:1-5 (NKJV) On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. 2 Now both Jesus and His disciples were invited to the wedding. 3 And when they ran out of wine, the mother of Jesus said to Him, “They have no wine.” 4 Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does your concern have to do with Me? My hour has not yet come.” 5 His mother said to the servants, “Whatever He says to you, do it.”
So did Jesus not know His time or was His mother calling something out before it was time?
John 2:6-11 (NKJV) 6 Now there were set there six waterpots of stone, according to the manner of purification of the Jews, containing twenty or thirty gallons apiece. 7 Jesus said to them, “Fill the waterpots with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. 8 And He said to them, “Draw some out now, and take it to the master of the feast.” And they took it. 9 When the master of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and did not know where it came from (but the servants who had drawn the water knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom. 10 And he said to him, “Every man at the beginning sets out the good wine, and when the guests have well drunk, then the inferior. You have kept the good wine until now!” 11 This beginning of signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and manifested His glory; and His disciples believed in Him.
If you are moved to do something and you have done all you know to do your next step just might be to respond like Darius. Position yourself in a quiet place and seek the Lord. Maybe you have someone very close to you who needs a Darius in thier life right now. They need someone who will position themselves before God through a vigil. It wasn't something they could fix on their own, just like Darius. He could not change the decree. He could not undo what had been done but what he could do, he did. He positioned himself to believe for Daniel's redemption. Surely, Daniel's God would intervene where Darius could not.
Do you have someone you know who needs a friend like Darius? Could God be asking you to set a time of vigil for their redemption?
Father, thank You for Your amazing love. You love Your people. You desire to redeem them from the curse and restore them to You purpose. I ask to be moved for Your people when You can use me to pray for their deliverance. I ask for the strength to stay with You, to believe for what You desire to do in their life, and to have faith for their restoration. I pray I would be open to praying for each one. I ask for Your heart. It will not be easy to believe for their redemption. It will be hard to not judge them for their predicament. But when You ask me to pray, to believe, to trust You to bring them through their difficult situation I want to be on board with what You desire. I ask to be faithful. You have believed in me even when I didn't believe in myself. You have pulled me out of so many terrible situations. I for the strength in my body to pray and the courage in my heart to believe for Your deliverance in their life 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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