Warriors Arise: April 7, 2021
Daniel 6:18-20 (NKJV) 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. 20 And when he came to the den, he cried out with a lamenting voice to Daniel. The king spoke, saying to Daniel, “Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to deliver you from the lions?”
When we read the Bible we need to keep things, situations, and people in perspective. You can get familiar with the Word of God to the point you forget the reality of what happened. Keep in mind, we have no idea if Darius knew God, served or honored God. He definitely responded as if He was a follower of God. It reminds me of my favorite testimony.
Acts 10:1 (NKJV) There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of what was called the Italian Regiment,
I have not figured out why I like to read the story of Cornelius. He was a centurion of the Italian Regiment. He was NOT a Jew. He was NOT eligible to receive Jesus and make Him his Savior and Lord. Yet, he demonstrated more devotion than the Jews, more understanding than the most Jews, and more godly character.
v. 2 a devout man and one who feared God with all his household, who gave alms generously to the people, and prayed to God always.
Cornelius was a devout man means he had deep religious commitments. He feared God, not in being afraid of God but an awe and reverence of God. He demonstrated this in all his daily actions and in his household knew these things about him. How many people do you know honor and are in awe of God before they have the opportunity to become a part of God's family?
Many people do not honor God nor live in awe of Him, even after they are a part of the family and recognize what He has done for them. Here we have a man who worships God even though he will never be allowed into His family. He was not a Jew. Even though the law of the Jews forbid him to worship with them, he still worshipped God.
He didn't worship God because of his ethnicity. He didn't worship God because of his upbringing. He didn't worship God because his parents took him to the temple in Jerusalem every year. He didn't worship God because the law said he had to.
What makes a person worship God when he is of the "wrong" ethnicity?
What makes a person live with godly character when they can't be a part of God's family?
What makes a person give to the poor when they won't get rewarded?
What makes a person pray to a God who does not listen to Gentiles?
These questions perplex me, because so many have it easy and yet they turn their back on God. When I say "they have it easy" I mean they were brought up with Christian parents, a church catering to teaching people of all ages, doing outreach through vacation Bible school, kids' camps, mission trips, homeless ministries, service opportunities, gifting development, and bible studies or small groups. All of that and still they turn their back on God.
Cornelius didn't have any of that. He didn't have organized church. He couldn't even enter into God's temple. Even though he was born into the wrong family, he still chose to honor God and be in awe of His wondrous works. He still served the poor and prayed to God. He had no idea if God would hear him but he had to pray to God. What makes a person do that?
I am thankful for my Christians heritage. My parents were faithful to put God first in their lives and live it every day. My mom continues to stir herself up in the Word of God every day. She prays for my dad, her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She desires that each one be in relationship with God. My dad studies the Word of God to know the fullness of God's love, receive wisdom and understanding. He seeks to be led by God in all he does. He offers his gifts and talents to the Lord. This is the heritage I have grown up seeing and being a part of.
I think of Cornelius and all he must have known of Jesus. Maybe he heard him speak or saw the miracles He performed. Maybe he knew the man, Jesus had delivered from the legion of demons or heard the story of the woman at the well. It is most likely that he heard a fellow Centurion tell of how he sought Jesus to heal his servant at home. Jesus said he would come but the centurion said he was not worthy to have Jesus come under his roof. He asked Jesus to use his authority and all would be well. He likened Jesus' authority over sickness to his authority over his men, 'I tell this one to go and he goes". Jesus said he had not seen faith such as this man in all Israel. When the Centurion arrived home he found out his servant had been healed the very hour Jesus spoke the words.
Darius had seen Daniel's faith in his God. He had known Daniel honored his God above all others, even the law of the land. He knew Daniel well enough to place him over all the other governors in the land. He had seen Daniel excel where others could not. What was different about Daniel? He was faithful to God and His God rewarded him with wisdom.
Darius is like the Centurion, believing in God's ability. He pronounced over Daniel that his God would deliver him (vs. 16). He had positioned himself before God like Cornelius. Darius had sought God like the Centurion with the sick servant had gone to Jesus. What makes a person do that?
Shouldn't our lives be surrendered to God in such a way that others believe God will work in our lives to protect us, heal us, provide for us, and make a way out?
Father, I come before You today asking to be touched by Your love in such a way that I bring honor to You. I want to position myself in Your presence to release Your kingdom here on earth. I want to bless others with the knowledge of Jesus Christ. I ask for You to remove the veil of deception and confusion from the minds of people. I pray for You to open their hearts to receive You. I pray for those who are honoring You with their prayers and service the poor to embrace the fullness of being your child, an heir to the kingdom. Expand Your authority here in our lives and call people to worship You. I pray we would have an awakening in our nation to honor You in all we do. I pray for our nation to worship You and no other. I pray for revival to come and sweep through our land. I ask for the nonbelievers to know Your faithfulness to Your people 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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