Warriors Arise: July 26, 2021
Daniel 10:10-13a (NKJV) Suddenly, a hand touched me, which made me tremble on my knees and on the palms of my hands. 11 And he said to me, “O Daniel, man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak to you, and stand upright, for I have now been sent to you.” While he was speaking this word to me, I stood trembling.12 Then he said to me, “Do not fear, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand, and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard; and I have come because of your words. 13 But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days;...
What?! Can't you see Daniel's thoughts roll again as the angel is telling him he withstood the print of the kingdom of Persia twenty-one days? The word withstood seems an unusual word to use.
Withstood: to set one's self against, to withstand, resist, oppose (Strong's)
The prince of the kingdom of Persia set himself against this angel. He resisted this angel from going any further. He opposed this angel from delivering his message. This was not a polite request. This was a hand-to-hand combat. The use of this word, this description, reminds me of Paul's exhortation, instruction on our stand in the spiritual battle going on around us. We engage in prayer because it is a form of warfare.
Ephesians 6:13 (NKJV ) Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Paul instructs us to pray, to take a stand, to withstand the enemy. We are to be aware of the spiritual battle gong on over our destiny and the very eternal lives of our family and friends. Daniel had been praying fo several years for his people to return to Jerusalem. However, I am sure he was also praying they would remain faithful to God during this time of captivity. They were to be the light in the world. They were not to be consumed by the darkness nor give way to pagan worship of wooden, stone, and golden gods. They were not to become like the pagans and worship gods who did not have a brain, abilities or power to save them. In he New Testament, Jesus teaches this very concept Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego lived, while in captivity in Babylon and then Persia. Paul was serious in his use of withstand because he reinforces it with a repeat. He finishes the sentence stating withstand another way, so we don't miss what he is desperate for us to comprehend and apply. He tells us to withstand...followed by having done all, to stand. You and I are to do everything possible to stand. That is what this angel did when the prince of Persia withstood him. He tried to stop the angel, but the angel would not be overcome. The angel was on a mission for God to deliver a message to Daniel.
Matthew 5:13-16 (NKJV) You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. 14 “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
We are to let our light shine no matter where we are. This may mean we will have to cut the wood and carry it to the pit to keep our flame burning bright. We are to fan the flame of our relationship with God so we can withstand the attacks and lures of the enemy. The stronger our relationship with God, the greater our ability to withstand temptation and get through trials and tribulations in perfect peace and unharmed. I am reminded of several movies where people are making sure the fire stays hot through the night sometimes to stay warm and other times because the fire will keep the predators away.
1 Peter 5:8-11 (NKJV) Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. 9 Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. 10 But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. 11 To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.
Peter seems to echo Paul's exhortation given in to the Ephesians. Both, Peter and Paul, have experienced the roaring lion who wanted to devour them, steal their position in Christ, kill their calling, and destroy their destiny. They both resisted by standing on the truth of God and strengthening their relationship with Him. They resisted, remained steadfast in the faith and made people aware they were not alone in the battle; therefore they were to stand. God will come to perfect, establish, strength and settle you.
This may be why Daniel didn't know the angel was in the the room. He was intensely engaged in prayer. It was as if he was praying while the angel battled the prince of Persia, the powers of darkness, the principalities he had seen manifest against his life; since he was taken captive by Nebuchadnezzar. The angel had to let Daniel know he had arrived. Therefore, he reached out and touched him. It seemed suddenly because I know don't even know if Daniel knew he had been praying for twenty-one days. When you are in battle the days to turn nights and the nights back to day. There are a number of references where the battle continued. The enemy does not stop fighting to destroy your destiny just because the sun went down. The battle was not over, because Michael, the warrior archangel, was still in battle or at least the last thing this angel knew. However, Daniel needed to know he had arrived with God's message. He had to reach out and touch Daniel to get his attention.
God's presence, His touch can come like a suddenly. We are intense in doing what He has put before us to do and then are startled by God making Himself known in the situation. We might be focused on what God has put into our hands and then God shows up to give us the solution we need or the encouragement to empower us to continue on. He may have to get our attention by touching our shoulder or touching our mind, so it stops whirling and trying to find a solution; when He has arrived to give the solution. His touch of our mind puts our mind at peace so we can receive His direction. It can be so simple that all the fret, anxiety and frustration just disappear as God's touch releases the solution to our need.
Father, You are amazing in all of Your ways. I stand in awe of You. You hear our prayers from the first word uttered from our mouth. You send an answer, sometimes with angels and sometimes as a tough that enters our head to stop the anxiety or frustration. You delight in being a part of our lives. You instruct us for what we are to do now and what You have for us in the future. You lay out Your plan before us. I will listen to You and walk according to Your direction for You are my God. I will surrender my ways to You and align myself with Your calling upon my life. I will embrace the destiny You dreamed I would fulfill because You are with me. i will join the battle in prayer and withstand the attacks of the enemy as I stand in prayer declaring the Word of the Lord to be established as reality in my life and upon the earth in Jesus' name amen.
A Warrior in the Lord’s Army,
Veridee Joy Hand
Join together as Believers in Jesus Christ to pray and to push back the enemy as we release God’s power here on earth. 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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