Warriors Arise: March 6, 2021
Daniel 6:1-3 (NKJV) It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom one hundred and twenty satraps, to be over the whole kingdom; 2 and over these, three governors, of whom Daniel was one, that the satraps might give account to them, so that the king would suffer no loss. 3 Then this Daniel distinguished himself above the governors and satraps, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king gave thought to setting him over the whole realm.
Let's look at the situation Daniel is in. He was literally a nobody to Belshazzar, the lords, and wisemen in Babylon until he stood before the king that fatal night. While the king didn't know what to do because his wisemen could not read the writing on the wall nor interpret it, the queen remembered Daniel. We have spent a few weeks on that disastrous evening. However, the way God used Daniel that night, he would be remembered by all who were present and even when people talk about the fulfillment of what Daniel shared at the feast.
Everybody would have known Daniel and how God called him out as an ambassador for the Kingdom of Heaven. God's call was evident on Daniel's life. My mind is challenged to think why Daniel was not killed along with Belshazzar especially because the lords at the feast, and any others that would have been rounded up by Darius, would have been trying to save their lives. They would have gladly pointed to someone else more important than themselves. With the promotion Daniel was given just hours before, he was third in the kingdom.
There is really nothing to explain. God will protect those He has placed, when we stay the course.
Psalms 139:5 (NKJV) You have hedged me behind and before, And laid Your hand upon me.
Think about Moses. Why did Pharaoh not kill Moses? I know the storyline in the movie but that is not history. According to history the Pharaoh on the throne of Egypt when Moses returned was not someone he grew up with. They were not friends before he left. He would have no connection of favor with anyone in court. Yet, Moses did not die for his crime, the murder of the Egyptian who was whipping a Hebrew slave.
Maybe the court was shocked to see Moses. Maybe they didn't even recognize him. He was 40 when he fled Egypt and 80 when he returned. What would he have told the Egyptian counselor to get an audience with Pharaoh. Moses didn't come bearing gifts. He wasn't a ruler of another kingdom. He was a shepherd. Egyptians despised shepherds. It is why Joseph 430 years earlier cautiously told Pharaoh his families occupation. Here was Moses demanding this Pharaoh, "Let My People go, says God".
We know the history. But did you ever stop to think how he was permitted in to make the Lord's demands? He should not have been allowed nor lived but he did. How is that?
Moses was on a mission specifically picked out for him from birth. Daniel was on a mission specifically picked out for him. Daniel continued to stand before the kings and rulers of the eastern empire. God has him on a mission. Daniel took Jeremiah's words to heart. God would not forget about Daniel. God would send them home in 70 years.
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.
70 years was not completed yet, Daniel chose to believe the rest of what the prophet said.
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 from your captivity; I will gather you from all the nations and from all the places where I have driven you, says the Lord, and I will bring you to the place from which I cause you to be carried away captive.
Daniel did everything he could for Belshazzar. God positioned him and Daniel stood as an ambassador before the king. Now, just hours later, there is a new ruler. 70 years of captivity is not up. Daniel chooses to honor God by distinguishing himself above the others.
Daniel 6:3 (NKJV) Then this Daniel distinguished himself above the governors and satraps, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king gave thought to setting him over the whole realm.
Most of us struggle with being able to adjust to the new authority placed over us. We may not have liked the last authority but we aren't wanting to start again, learn the new way of doing things nor submit to someone we know nothing about. We may need to shift our thinking. Our situation may not be as severe as Daniel's however we can learn how he stayed the course in the midst of the chaos.
Since Daniel had been named third ruler in the kingdom, he probably didn't didn't want a demotion or worse, end up in the dungeon or executed. So why not quickly submit under the new leadership and maybe God will use him again to speak to Darius like He had for Nebuchadnezzar and Belshazzar. Even though Daniel did not embrace their pagan ways, God still made a way for him to be heard and speak His word to each of the rulers. Maybe God would use him again with Darius. Daniel stayed the course because he kept hope alive. He knew God would come through at the end of the 70 years. He didn't know how but maybe God wanted him to be in a position for the when.
Father, I ask for You to come and continue to position You people in places of influence. I pray for Your people to remain calm and stay the course so they are ready when they re to be an ambassador for Your kingdom to the leaders over them. I ask for You to strengthen each one with a resolve to hear form You and speak exactly what You say. I pray for You to position more of Your people in government, media, businesses, and entertainment. I pray for You to cause favor to rest upon them. I pray for each one to know when they need to speak and when they need to distinguish themselves through excellence and honor. I ask for You to come and minister to Your people. I pray we would know when to stand and what to say. I pray Your words would not be rejected. I pray they would be understood and followed to Your desire. I ask for You to encourage Your people to have an excellent spirit and desire to do their very best. You are my God and I will serve You 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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