I Can't Believe He Said That

Warrior's Arise: June 8th, 2020

I am still caught up with Luke 24:25, "Then He said to them, "O foolish ones, and slow of hear to believe..." No one wants to be told they are foolish. But here is Jesus telling these two disciples who have just left Jerusalem, thinking this stranger didn't know what had happened in the last week. And now He [Jesus] is calling them foolish.

I remember my freshman year of college. I went to a school over a thousand miles from my home. I was an Iowa girl walking into all kinds of stuff I didn't have a concept for. I remember a few people chuckling and saying, "You are so naive." I totally did not understand but I can tell you I was hurt the first time it was said, but the second, third and fourth, I was offended. I would leave and say to myself, "I'm not dumb." My pride was pierced.

After I learned a few things the hard way, I began to understand why they said I was naive. I believed all people were good, because I was good (for the most part). I believed that all people told the truth, because I told the truth (for the most part). I believed if you said you would be somewhere then you would be there. I believed if you said you were going to do something then you were going to do what you said. I didn't realize people would tell me (and not just me) what I wanted to hear, because it didn't matter to them whether they followed through with it or not. In that moment, they would tell me what they thought I wanted to hear. Too many times I defended people when I didn't realize they were the ones in the wrong. The first person to tell me the incident was the one I believed. I would buy into their story one hundred percent. Until the blinders were removed and I realized they were using me. They were getting my emotions involved and on their side before I even gave the other person a chance. I was naive.

I needed the Holy Spirit to help me keep my emotions in check, so I could discern the truth. These two disciples, I'm not sure why but after Jesus calls them "O foolish ones" they didn't stop Him from talking. They didn't walk away from Him, but they listened. That is impressive. Most of us would not sit around letting someone call us foolish. We would have something to say, we would find a way to respond.

Its as if Jesus said, "Peace, be still!" and their minds stopped reasoning and their mouth stopped talking. Jesus had something to share with them. He shared what had happened in Jerusalem had to happen; the Prophets foretold it!

Some days I find it difficult to keep myself from responding to all the media is putting out. Weeks ago we started praying for the truth to be made known concerning the coronavirus; vaccines, cure, cause, and statistics. Our nations was being divided because of those who were experiencing the havoc of the coronavirus first hand verses those who hadn't seen or heard of anyone having the deadly disease. Our government responded before it got to the middle of our nation, trying to protect people and stop the spread of the deadly disease.

Now we are facing something that started inland and moved quickly through our country and around the world. Once again we are wondering what to believe; what is true. I don't like it when anybody is needlessly killed but was it really a racial issue or would the policeman have done the same thing to a white or hyspanic man who responded the same way to any man who had a criminal record like George Floyd, who was tried to use counterfeit money and wouldn't leave the business establishment when the owner asked? This trial is going to be interesting. Yes, the policeman was wrong for killing George Floyd and should be punished. However, I am not sure how people will respond when the facts come out that lead up to the trial. It isn't going to be pretty and we need to pray. Nobody likes to know they were defending someone for the wrong reasons. I'm not convinced this was racial. It was wrong but I'm not sure it was racial. Sadly, George Floyd's dirty laundry will come out in the trial. I want us to pray now for what will be revealed in the trial. Nobody likes to be taken as a fool. I hope people will be able to repent, turn from their sin and receive Jesus. I hope people will believe the truth. I hope those who have led the violence that caused 100+ innocent black people and those of other races of people who have been needlessly killed by riots, to turn to Jesus. Nothing excuses needless killing; it is a sin but Jesus can rescue us from ourselves. We must pray now for what is about to come. No one wants to be called foolish, stupid, dumb or naive. The reaction can be worse than what we are facing right now.

After Jesus called the foolish and slow of heart to believe, He taught them the truth of what the Prophets had foretold of the Messiah. We the will pray for people to desire to learn the truth and walk in it.

Father, I ask for You to come and minister Your life to all people. I ask for You to come and calm the storm that is raging all over our nation and around the world. I petition You for the lives of innocent people to be protected by Your hand. I ask for You to cause them to be invisible, unseen so the danger passes them by. I ask for You to speak to the storm, "Peace, be still!" Calm the the emotions, stop the talk of things not known, and intervene on behalf of the people Jesus died to offer salvation. I request for You to come, let the truth be known, and open the minds and hearts of each person so they can receive the truth. I ask for the mouth of the devil to be shut and truth to bind his vocal chords. I ask for the hands of the devil to bound from stirring up contention and strife. I ask for people to want to know the truth and to receive the truth, so they can be set free. I ask for You to minister to each heart. I pray we would be quick to believe the truth with the heart. I pray for our hearts to not fail us but to be protected by the truth and identify the truth. I ask for Your Holy Spirit to come and make known to all people the truth of Your amazing, sacrificial love. I ask for revival to come to our land and go to every country around the world. I ask for believers to be ready to share their testimony of the saving grace of Jesus Christ and the power of His amazing love. I ask for the hearts of the people to be open to knowing the truth of Your love and redemption. I ask they would accept Your love and walk in Your redemption for the rest of their lives in Jesus' name amen!

A Warrior in the Lord’s Army,

Veridee Joy

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. 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.