Was the History Lesson Necessary?

Warriors Arise: February 6, 2021

Daniel 5:18-29 (NKJV) O king, the Most High God gave Nebuchadnezzar your father a kingdom and majesty, glory and honor. 19 And because of the majesty that He gave him, all peoples, nations, and languages trembled and feared before him. Whomever he wished, he executed; whomever he wished, he kept alive; whomever he wished, he set up; and whomever he wished, he put down. 20 But when his heart was lifted up, and his spirit was hardened in pride, he was deposed from his kingly throne, and they took his glory from him. 21 Then he was driven from the sons of men, his heart was made like the beasts, and his dwelling was with the wild donkeys. They fed him with grass like oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven, till he knew that the Most High God rules in the kingdom of men, and appoints over it whomever He chooses. 22 “But you his son, Belshazzar, have not humbled your heart, although you knew all this.

At first, I was thinking Belshazzar did not know his history or even what happened to his father. But then we read verse 22 and he knew all this. He knows his grandfather, Nebuchadnezzar was given enormous power and authority over all people and nations. He knew they trembled in fear before his father. Belshazzar knew the pride in his grandfather's heart had led to him being disposed from his kingly throne. He knew they took his glory from him and drove him out into the wilderness. He knew his grandfather had roamed with the beasts of the field and dwelled with donkeys. He knew his father, who once ate the best the land had to offer had been lowered to eating grass. He also knew his grandfather was restored when he humbled himself before the Most High God and acknowledged the Most High God is the One who rules the kingdom of men and appoints over it whomever He chooses. Belshazzar knew this yet didn't apply it to his own life and kingship.

Daniel gives Belshazzar a quick lesson in not only family history but kingdom principles. What would be the purpose of the history lesson?

Many times people want to know "why" something happened to them. They don't think life is fair so they blame someone, anyone, even God for their current predicament. We do not want to take any credit for "why" things are working together in our favor.

Romans 8:28 (NKJV) And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

This verse is a promise. However, it is a promise with criteria. If things are not working together for your good then check to see if you love God. Loving God is not saying, "I love you." It is so much more. For instance, a wife doesn't want to hear her husband say, "I love you" if he can't back it up with actions. Her heart yearns to hear, "Why do you love me." She wants to know the specific things for which the husband loves her. If he expresses those things with his words, she is going to want him to be able to back them up with his actions.

God does not want a list from you and I. This is something for you. When things are not working together for your good, it isn't God who is withholding the good things from you. Check two things:

1. How are you loving God? Specifically, in what ways are you expressing your love to God. (Devotion, adoration, compassion toward others, speaking words of truth in love, praying for His kingdom here on earth, making decisions because you have sought the Lord instead of your own wisdom? etc.)

2. Are you actively living your life in what He has called you to do? (Where are you fulfilling the purpose of your calling?)

History lessons can be pretty powerful and sobering at the same time. They can be powerful because we see God's ability to do what needs to be done and compassion because He is moved by His love for His people. To see all God has done for His people can be sobering because we recognize He is second to none. There is no situation that is beyond His ability to intervene and no one who He doesn't give the opportunity to know Him.

Right here, in Daniel 5, Belshazzar is given the opportunity to remember God, to remember His power and His authority. Who knows what would have happened differently had Belshazzar learned the history lesson when Daniel shared. We think we have hours. We think God is going to keep coming back to us with another warning, with another history lesson. We want to be tricked by the lies of the enemy, we want to remain in the feeding the desires of our flesh, but God will not be mocked. He has compassion, but He would not be a just judge if He didn't eventually come out and make a ruling. Unrepented evil will be punished.

The sad thing is that people who play the way of the world with their life never truly have the happiness in life they truly desire. My heart aches for them. No, life is not easy every day. No, life is not perfect for me.

Yes, I can win the day every day. Yes, I can overcome the obstacles that are in my way. Yes, I have hope because I know my God is the supreme authority and there is no other. Yes, I serve my God knowing His love never fails. Yes, I step onto the neck of the enemy. Yes, I love Him and others because He first loved me. Yes, I extend the hand of fellowship to those who curse me. Yes, I speak peace to the storms that rage around me. Yes, I know who I am because I know Whose I am. I am a child of the Most High God. I am beloved by my Heavenly Father. I am adopted as an heir to the throne. I am made new from the sinful nature. I am saved by the blood fo Jesus from the wickedness of my sins. I am an ambassador for the nations. I am righteous and healed because of the blood of Jesus shed for me. I am the apple of my Father's eye. He favors me with His love. I am given wisdom because I place myself at His feet. He gives me understanding because I seek Him every day. I am provided for because He makes sure I am never in want. I am protected because His arm extends as a shield around me. I am who I am because of Whose I am.

If you struggle to believe the things I have said above I would ask you to speak them out loud over yourself. Say them until you believe them. God's love is not limited neither is HIs power. What He will do for one of His children, He will do for another when it is in line with the purpose of your calling. He love never fails and His wisdom guides us into all truth.

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.