Warriors Arise: March 1, 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 really struggle with this concept or happening. There is something in me that knows God is not finished with me. I have not accomplished the things He has put in my heart and written into my DNA. Makes me wonder if Belshazzar knew the plans God had for him. Maybe he was convinced the life he was living was all life would be for him. If this is what he believed, then he didn't know what God put inside of him.
Let's take a look at two other examples in the Bible, two other men who knew God had something else for them. Most of us know Jeremiah 29:11 but do you know what verse 10 says? Do you know who Jeremiah is talking to?
Jeremiah is a prophet to God's people. He remains in Jerusalem then Nebuchadnezzar took the captives to Babylon. In those captives was Daniel, Shadrach, Mechack and Abed-Nego. Now take a look at what Jeremiah wrote:
Jeremiah 29:10 (NKJV) For thus says the Lord: After seventy years are completed at Babylon, I will visit you and perform My good word toward you, and cause you to return to this place.
Did you put that together with Daniel praying three times a day for the 70 years to end and God's people to return to Jerusalem? God is talking to His people who are held captive in Babylon. Daniel has just stood before Belshazzar and interpreted the writing on the wall. Daniel is made third in the kingdom of Babylon but he wants to return home, to Jerusalem.
In Daniel chapter 6 Darius placed Daniel as one of his governors within his kingdom. However, Daniel was more distinguished than the others. So they tricked Darius into making decree that anyone who prayed to anyone other than Darius would be thrown into the lions den. Daniel continued to pray three times a day to God regardless of the decree. Darius had to throw him into the lion's den.
Daniel knew God was not finished with him. Daniel prayed. He prayed knowing what the consequences would be. God saved Daniel from being torn to shreds and eaten by the lions. Later in the book of Daniel we see him praying because the 70 years is up. I'm not saying Daniel was the only one who prayed for God's people to return to Jerusalem, but Daniel had favor with God; because he is the one who was visited by the angel. The angel informed him of the battle raging in the heavenliness. Daniel would continue to pray until God's people returned to Jerusalem. Just like He promised.
God was not about to replace Daniel. God sent a messenger to encourage Daniel and he continued to pray for the release of his people.
I do not know what you are specifically going through right now but know this: God has a plan for your life. He called you and if you will be in agreement with His purpose for Your life He will position you to fulfill it. However, when we choose to turn our back on God, cause people to blaspheme His name, and reject His offer of correction there are consequences. Most of the time those consequences are the loss of what could have been, the promise He gave to us. The promise that took our agreement, our willingness to embrace His plan for our life, our heart to be led by His love and our mind to be guided by His wisdom.
Jeremiah 29:11-14 (NKJV) For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. 12 Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. 13 And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you, says the Lord, and I will bring you back...
Daniel had read the words of Jeremiah. With the position he held in Babylon, he might have even been the first to read them. He probably made a copy for himself before passing it on. Daniel kept the word of the Lord before him as he prayed. How else would he have kept the promise of God alive for 70 years? He called out, "Oh, God remember what You said. Remember Your promise to Your people...Remember you have a future for us and Your word gives us hope...You said if we will pray, You will listen. Find us and restore us."
When we understand what God promised in verse 11 then we are compelled to pray to God. He said He will listen. He doesn't say He might listen. He says He will listen. Our prayers are a form of seeking God. Verse 13 goes on to say that when we seek Him we will find Him. Verse 14 just makes it better and better. God says He will be found by us and will bring us back! God is not going to leave us in our place of captivity. God is going to bring us back to our promised land, back to our Jerusalem. God will restore us when we remember His promise and seek Him with all of our heart.
God replaced Belshazzar because he was blasphemous toward God. Belshazzar was given a chance but rejected it. Daniel was given a chance and took it. God protected and restored Daniel because he believed the word of the Lord spoken through Jeremiah.
Father, I shared years ago the worst thing in life would be that I didn't accomplish what You put inside of me to do, the things You dreamed I would do to expand Your kingdom. I pray I would not reject Your warning. I pray I would heed Your Word, honor it, and pray Your will be done in my life. I ask for courage to believe for all You have created me to be and do. I do not want to be replaced. I want to fulfill all You desire me to accomplish to expand Your kingdom. I position myself before You as Your servant, Your ambassador and Your child. I want the heart of a a faithful servant to do whatever You say. I want the courage of an ambassador who honors the one he represents. I want the faithfulness of a child who knows You will do everything You said You would do. I pray for Christians to position themselves to seek You, find You and hear You. I pray for Christians to trust Your lead and follow exactly where You say to go and speak precisely what You say. I pray for Christians to take a stand for what is right, true, noble and praiseworthy. I pray we would lay our lives before You and walk in the fullness of what You dreamed we would be 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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