The Testimony of God
Griffith Baptist Church – 5/8/08
P.M. Service
Text: Daniel 6:19-24
Main Verse: Daniel 6:22 - My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions’ mouths, that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt.
The Introduction
A good illustration of the Trinity comes from world-renowned scientist Dr. Henry Morris. He notes that the entire universe is trinitarian by design. The universe consists of three things: matter, space, and time. Take away any one of those three and the universe would cease to exist. But each one of those is itself a trinity. Matter = mass + energy + motion Space = length + height + breadth Time = past + present + future Thus the whole universe witnesses to the character of the God who made it (cf. Psalm 19:1). SOURCE: "God in Three Persons: A Doctrine We Barely Understand" by Dr. Ray Pritchard. Calvary Memorial Church, Oak Park, Illinois, 1997.
Just as the universe bears testimony to God so there are other things in life and in His Word that bear testimony to God and His greatness.
Here in Daniel, we have three that stand out. Read and explain text
Transition Statement: The first testimony we see concerning our God is that He is making a ready rescue even though most of the time He is silent beforehand. The Scripture states that There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. 1 Corinthians 10:13
Body
1. God is Silent Before He Rescues (6:1-20)
A. We know God is there but not often vocal or seen when trouble arises
B. A great story about being rescued by friendship goes like this: There was a Desert Storm soldier who while he was overseas received a Dear John letter from his girlfriend back home in the states. To add insult to injury, she wrote, "Will you please return my favorite photograph of myself-- I need it for my engagement picture in the local newspaper." The poor guy was devastated, but all the soldiers came to his rescue. They went throughout the entire camp and collected pictures of all the guys’ girlfriends. They filled up an entire shoe box and sent it to the girl along with a note from the guy saying, "Please find your picture, and return the rest,---for the life of me, I can’t remember which one you were!!"
C. There are other examples in Scripture:
i. Joseph went through separation from his family, false accusations from his master, false imprisonment and being forgotten by those he had helped. God was silent in his rescue till Joseph was ready to rule and save his people
ii. Job suffered much and God was silent until the very end.
iii. Moses and the parting of the red sea – turn to Exodus 14:10-14
D. God often still allows the trial but doesn’t tell us why or when it will end
E. Darius spoke to this in his decree - Daniel 6:27 - He delivereth and rescueth, and he worketh signs and wonders in heaven and in earth, who hath delivered Daniel from the power of the lions.
Transition Statement: We also see that God is sovereign in every circumstance that we encounter.
2. God is Sovereign in Every Circumstance (6:22)
A. Daniel revealed so much about God’s sovereign dealing in his situation:
i. God sent an angel to shut the lions mouths – creative sovereignty
ii. Daniel was innocent before God – judicial sovereignty
B. God rules over everything, we know that is true
C. Sovereignty means that God is in all and over all
D. When the Archbishop of Canterbury crowned Queen Elizabeth II, he laid the crown on her head with this pronouncement, “I give thee, O sovereign lady, this crown to wear until he who reserves the right to wear it shall return.” The Archbishop of Canterbury understood that wrapped in the Presence of Christ is the fullness of God!
E. God owns all things - Psalms 24:1 – The earth is the LORD’S, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.
F. God’s will is supreme above all else - Philippians 2:13 – For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
Transition Statement: Last, God satisfactorily judges those who are against us when wrongs are committed.
3. God is Satisfaction Over Wrongs Committed (6:24)
A. It is true that God is patient and wants us to treat others with kindness even when they are not – Romans 12:20-21 - 20Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. 21Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
i. We ought to be a witnesses
ii. Kill them with kindness
iii. What we are saying is that those who refuse Christ and persecute His church will, possibly in this life and definitely in the one to come, be judged fiercely for their wickedness and evil against God’s children.
B. Those who had been the false accusers and the manipulators were thrown, family and all, into the lion’s den:
i. This practice of entire families being destroyed was a vicious Persian custom
ii. Before they reached the bottom the lions got a hold of them and devoured them
iii. Retribution was quick, just and final.
C. God is not pleased when His children are attacked and maligned
i. Don’t excuse the silence of God for inaction - Supreme Court Justice Horace Gray once said to the man who escaped conviction on a technicality: "I know that you are guilty and you know it, and I wish you to remember that one day you will stand before a better and wiser Judge, and that there you will be dealt with according to justice and not according to law."
ii. He sees it all and knows every mean thing done to you and I.
D. Incidentally, be careful how you judge and malign others as this poem indicates:
I dreamed death came the other night and heaven’s gate swung wide.
With kindly grace an angel fair ushered me inside.
And there, to my astonishment Stood folks I’d known on earth.
Some I’d judged and labeled as “Unfit”, “Of little worth”.
Indignant words rose to my lips, but never were set free
For every face showed stunned surprise No one expected me!
E. The deeds of the wicked do not go unnoticed by God - Psalms 7:11 – God judgeth the righteous, and God is angry with the wicked every day.
F. There is a time of judgment for the saved and unsaved - Ecclesiastes 3:17 – I said in mine heart, God shall judge the righteous and the wicked: for there is a time there for every purpose and for every work
G. Vengeance is God’s timing and choice - Romans 12:19 - Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
