Warriors Arise: February 19, 2021
Daniel 5:25-28 (NKJV) “And this is the inscription that was written: MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN. 26 This is the interpretation of each word. Mene: God has numbered your kingdom, and finished it; 27 Tekel: You have been weighed in the balances, and found wanting; 28 Peres: Your kingdom has been divided, and given to the Medes and Persians.”
To be told a second time is not generally a good thing. We have tried to implement that if Scott or I tell our kids to do something, a particular chore or responsibility, we expect it to get done in a timely manner. They may respond, "In a minute, I am almost done with..." Or they might say, "I'll be right up to do..." Their response lets us know they have heard what we have said. However, when they do not respond then the indication is that they have not heard us. Therefore, to give them instructions for something we want done would be pointless. There are times when we ask them to do something, they acknowledge what we have said and told us they would do it, when they finish what they were currently involved with; however, they never get to what we asked. In the process of them finishing what they were involved in, they forgot we called for them to do something. If it has been awhile and I recognize they haven't done what I asked, I call again. This time my tone is changed. When they respond, "In a minute, I'm doing..." This time I call again and say, "No, come right now."
They aren't generally happy about it, but they didn't honor their word the last time. They continued with what they were doing, moved on to the next thing and forgot to do what I asked them to do. Therefore, they do not get to finish what they were going to do, on their schedule because they did not honor their word. Plenty of time has passed and they could have done what was their responsibility to do, but they chose to forget or ride on my kindness to let it slip.
With the first MENE one might think they had time, when they are ready, to make things right with God. But to have God say this a second time, back to back, in all caps means business. This is a right now, call to repentance because you are not promised another day.
I am concerned about a number of people who don't have a relationship with God but know of God, have seen Him demonstrate His power, love and restoration, believe they can presume God will always be waiting on them. These are the same people who want to accuse God of being unkind. They blame God for being so unloving. The reality we see in the Bible, God was giving Belshazzar a chance to repent and make things right, otherwise He wouldn't have gone to all the trouble.
God writing MENE twice meant this was a "now" word. You do not have time to repent on your own terms, in your own time, when you are done with your days of feasting and revelry.
My dad put on the back of one of his 2010 state softball team/community shirt NOW: No Opportunity Wasted. The same rings true for what God is saying to Belshazzar. God is giving Belshazzar the opportunity to repent, to change his ways, to honor Him as God but he doesn't. Belshazzar wasted the opportunity.
Father, I ask for You to remind me of any time when You have told me do a particular task and I haven't. I ask for mercy and I repent for not doing what You said immediately. I pray for You to make a way for me to fulfill what You have called for me to do. I pray I would respond and complete the task. I do not want my ears to be deaf to Your voice. I ask for my ears to attentive to what You are saying. I want to respond quickly to Your leading. I pray You would speak to me so I can recognize Your voice. I ask for You to open up my mind to receive what You are saying. I pray I would humble myself to follow through with what You have said. I pray I would lay down what I am doing, to do what You have called me to do. I ask for You to speak to the people all across America. I pray for ears to be open and a recognition of your voice. I pray each one would know what You are telling them to do. I pray we would lay down our own arrogance and humble ourselves before You. I pray each one will know Your lovingkindness. Your ways will always lead them to what is best in their life. I pray for Your blessings to overflow in their life as they submit to Your ways and walk in the fullness of You ways 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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