Warriors Arise: March 19, 2021
Daniel 6:11-14 (NKJV) Then these men assembled and found Daniel praying and making supplication before his God. 12 And they went before the king, and spoke concerning the king's decree: “Have you not signed a decree that every man who petitions any god or man within thirty days, except you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions?” The king answered and said, “The thing is true, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which does not alter.” 13 So they answered and said before the king, “That Daniel, who is one of the captives from Judah, does not show due regard for you, O king, or for the decree that you have signed, but makes his petition three times a day.” 14 And the king, when he heard these words, was greatly displeased with himself,
Don't you hate it when you are are caught by your own words? Your own actions convict you? Your heart is exposed? These governors and satraps came before the king and so slyly put the bait on the hook and cast. They made it look like Darius was the one who baited the hook. The bait being the decree that no one would pray to anyone or any god other than to King Darius for the next 30 days. The hook being the lions den.
Daniel knew the king was set up and trusted God to do what He had always done. Daniel would do what he had always done: pray to God, praise God, and trust God. He would not change because of a decree put in place by evil men. He would not yield his relationship with God in order to prevent himself from being caught on the hook.
In the eyes of the governors and satraps Daniel was the big fish, the big kahuna, the prize to be won. They were used to counseling the kings before Darius came into power. They were used to having their voice be heard. They were used to kings seeking their wisdom. So, their boldness to stand before the king to hold him accountable to the law is what they did, their job. They were to keep order in the kingdom even if that "order" was making sure the king did what by law he had to do.
They do not come to the king making the accusations until they get the king to remember the decree he signed.
v. 12 And they went before the king, and spoke concerning the king's decree: “Have you not signed a decree that every man who petitions any god or man within thirty days, except you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions?”
They are getting the king to remember what he "has" to do because of "what" he did.
v. 13 So they answered and said before the king, “That Daniel, who is one of the captives from Judah, does not show due regard for you, O king, or for the decree that you have signed, but makes his petition three times a day.”
And here it is. The king realizes he has been used. They didn't have another name for him not even other Hebrews. They only brought the accusations against Daniel. The very man King Darius had put over them. He also knows he is bound to abide by the decree he signed to follow through no matter who violates the law.
14 And the king, when he heard these words, was greatly displeased with himself,
Darius took full responsibility for what he had done. It doesn't say he got mad or irate with these masters of deceit and spite. This shows the character of Darius. He was the king and he had allowed these men to entice him to do something that would kill the person he trusted the most. Whether he purposed in his heart to deal with them later we do not know but for right now he was on a mission. He took responsibility. His actions were coming back to bite him. Darius was displeased with himself.
As a Christian, I have had to learn to forgive myself. Years ago, I had done something that was not a good representation of God. When I was convicted of it I confessed my sin to God and received His forgiveness. I had also gone to the person I had hurt and received their forgiveness. I few days later I told my husband, "I am torn up about what I did. I can't seem to get past it. I can't believe I was so mean. My mind won't let it go. I went to God, confessed and received forgiveness. I went to the person I had wronged and they forgave me. Why am I still feeling hounded by what I did?"
Scott simply asked, "Did you forgive yourself?"
And no, I hadn't. I was still holding myself accountable. Sometimes it is too easy. God forgives us and we feel like we need to punish ourselves. Sometimes we have people who will forgive us as soon as we ask. They just want to know we recognize how we hurt them and hope we will not do it again. They are willing to pick the friendship up where it left off before the sin. Have you thought that sometimes the reason the enemy can get my with telling you how worthless you are is because you think you are worthless, because you haven't forgiven yourself. Since God didn't punish you enough, you feel the need to punish yourself. You need to let the enemy tell you how terrible you are and that you will never get it right and that you shouldn't try to have friends because you will fail every time? The enemy is more than glad to help us devalue ourselves every time we won't forgive ourself for the sin we committed.
If Darius was going to be any help to Daniel he had to forgive himself and work on a plan to help him. He could not be wrapped up in what he did wrong or he would be no good to Daniel.
Father, I ask for You to come minister to my heart and mind. I have sin different times when I was unwilling to see my sin. Just as Darius could have blamed the governors and satraps who set him up. He didn't. He took full responsibility and then sought to find a way out of what he had done to Daniel. I pray I would take responsibility for the times I have allowed others to use me to get to the people I am supposed to be protecting and leading. I ask for You to remind me of the times I have not sought Your forgiveness. I want to come before You know and confess my sins. Give me the power to forgive myself. I do not like to misrepresent You but I do. I want to have the integrity I need to forgive myself and honor others. I do not want to open a door for the enemy to heap condemnation upon me or imprison me with things You have already spoke forgiveness toward. I pray You would keep me aware when others are trying to use me to get their own way or hurt other people. I pray You would help me to see through the traps of the enemy so I can sidestep them. I ask for You to give me wisdom and understanding. I want to lead with integrity and honor. I want to defend the righteous. I ask for You to teach me to forgive myself 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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