THE EXPATRIATE
By: Randy Bataanon
Daniel 6:1-28
(Seven advices from a very successful expatriate)
He was born from a rich and royal family in his country. He is studying law in a state manage but first class university. He is handsome, intelligent and godly man. Everybody predict a bright future for Daniel until a great tragedy happened. He was just a teen ager when his country had been captivated by stronger nation. He was carried as slave along with others to serve on the court of their captor king. In just a period of few days, and the situation change drastically. The prince became slave, the master became servant. But for Daniel, it’s not the end of the world. His faith on his God remains in his heart and for this, he can still wake up in the morning with the same passion and excitement expecting for a bright new day. He can still sing his favorite song, “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, His mercy never come to an end. They are new every morning, great is thy faithfulness”.
We may never see ourselves as slaves; our country may not be under siege. But we are here in this foreign land because our country could not offer us a possible bright future. If not for us, at least for our family…We have something in common with Daniel – We are expatriates. We have so many fears. So many hindrances to attain our dream for success… Let see how Daniel overcome all barriers. And let’s discover how he became the secretary of state on land of his captors. Hear the first advice from this very successful expatriate;
1. YOUR SITUATION IS NOT HINDRANCE TO SUCCESS
After the rigid interview, they notice an excellent spirit from Daniel. The king sent him among others to an exclusive school to study their own language, culture, science and public management. Daniel did not give up. He believes that his situation is not hindrance to attain success. His mind has never been a slave. His body reacts for what he believes. He became magna cum laude on their class. Outwitting all even the best of their captors, he has broken the glass ceiling, he continue to believe on his dream. He is shouting his message to everyone that with God he can do all things.
I don’t know what kind of disappointing situations you are in today or how discouraging it is. But if Daniel can overcome them, what is the reason that we cannot do it. Well, you may be thinking some short cuts or the do it on your own way style. We Filipinos are very tactful and we tend to do some unusual way or sometimes compromise our principles and belief just to get what we want. Hear the second advice from the one who overcome the barriers and reach the top of his dream;
2. YOU DON’T NEED TO COMPROMISE TO BE PROMOTED
Daniel made up his mind. His faith is strong and his belief is already established and founded on the law of his God. Yes he has a dream. But staying faithful to His God became his utmost priority. In fact, he believes that staying true to his real Master will usher him to reach his dream. Simple temptation came to test his integrity in the form of a privilege from the table of the king. A set of luxury food and drink contrary to what he believes is good for his body. What is food anyway? It will not be a major violation of his religion and besides no one will report this to their priest. Isn’t it that situation justify doing anything for survival’s sake?
But not for Daniel, he always believes that if you can be faithful for little things, then you can be trusted for big responsibilities when it knocks on your way. Daniel challenges the dietician of the king to test them for ten days. They will stay vegetarian while others will eat the luxury food of the king. Let them prove who will be more healthy and intelligent. Daniel wins the battle again. Not only proving their nutritionist wrong but he wins the battle of integrity and faithfulness. He is always willing to put his own life on the line for the sake of what he believes. The king was very satisfied with Daniel and he promoted him governor of the governors.
How many of us will compromise even when the threat is just but simple. If that is our attitude, how can we overcome the real test that will possibly cost our very own lives? Take the third advice from the one who proved his integrity on the fiercest trial of his life?
3. YOU SHOULD EXPECT OPPOSITION AFTER PROMOTION
His jealous enemies come against him but they cannot see any single misstep to accuse him before the king. His integrity is beyond doubt. His intellectual knowledge is beyond their standard. He was trustworthy and neither corrupt nor negligent. The Lord let him gain the favor of the king. But wait a minute, one governor have a good idea. If they cannot see weakness on Daniel’s character, they can easily find it on the character of the king. If they cannot corrupt or deceive Daniel, they can easily do it to the king; they set up an excellent plan.
The royal administrators and governors have all agreed that the king should issue an edict and enforce the decree that anyone who prays to any god or man during the next thirty days, except the king, shall be thrown into the lions’ den. They plan to use Daniel’s faithfulness against him. Let’s see the advice of the man who overcomes his opponents by surprise;
4. THE BEST WEAPON AGAINST DANGER AND ANXIETY IS A PRAYER HABIT
Will he compromise his prayer habit? Or will he at least hide it from them while praying? A big NO, NO!!! Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened towards Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before. He is not only willing to take the risk but he knew very well that the same prayer habit that they are trying to omit from him is the very foundation of his strength and integrity.
Who among us will be courageous enough or faithful enough to God to disobey the powerful boss or manager for the sake of his faith? By this action, the man who stand tall against his enemies advice us to;
5. TRUST GOD NOT MEN
“Wasta” is the word we use for a powerful man who can possibly save or help us get some favor even if it is against the normal rule or process. In Filipino culture, we call it “padrino”, our connection to shortcut promotion or sometimes to immediate acquitance. The king is in fact willing to save Daniel from his tragedy. He was not foolish not to realize later the motives of the governors behind the mysterious motion against prayer. But it is all too late this time to reverse the law because he had already approved it.
Then the enemies of Daniel went as a group to the king and said to him, Remember, O king, that according to the law no decree or edict that the king issues can be changed. So the king gave the order, and they brought Daniel and threw him into the lions’ den. The king said to Daniel, May your God, whom you serve continually, rescue you!
If there is one lesson that we can learn from this part, it is the limitation of man’s power to save or help us in time of our urgent need. Only God is the very present help in times of our troubles. Daniel knows it from his heart from the very time he starts to pray. Let us hear the advice of the man who makes the den of lions a safe haven.
6. THE SAFEST PLACE IN THE WORLD IS INSIDE THE WILL OF GOD
The king returned to his palace and spent the night without eating and without any entertainment being brought to him. And he could not sleep. King Darius, the conqueror king of Medo-Persia, the man who conquer Babylon and defeated king Nebuchadnezzar is worrying in his palace ’ luxurious bed while Daniel is sleeping peacefully along with the hungry lions besides him. King Darius could have been slain by some enemies in his bedroom but Daniel is safe with God guarded by the lions and angels. King Darius can’t break his own law but Daniel through prayers break the law of nature. King Darius is slave of his own folly but Daniel reign with God. God will shut the mouth of the lions if we are faithful to God
At the first light of dawn, the king got up and hurried to the lions’ den. When he came near the den, he called to Daniel in an anguished voice, Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to rescue you from the lions? Daniel answered, O king, live forever! My God sent his angel and he shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, because I was found innocent in his sight. Nor have I ever done any wrong before you, O king. The king was overjoyed and gave orders to lift Daniel out of the den. And when Daniel was lifted from the den, no wound was found on him, because he had trusted in his God. At the king’s command, the men who had falsely accused Daniel were brought in and thrown into the lions’ den, along with their wives and children. And before they reached the floor of the den, the lions overpowered them and crushed all their bones. (Book of Daniel 6:19-24)
The man who experience God’s miraculous saving power and grace advice everyone who are experiencing crisis in their own lives that;
7. GOD HAS A PURPOSE EVEN IN CRISIS
Then King Darius wrote to all the peoples, nations and men of every language throughout the land:
May you prosper greatly! I issue a decree that in every part of my kingdom people must fear and reverence the God of Daniel. For he is the living God and he endures for ever; his kingdom will not be destroyed, his dominion will never end. He rescues and he saves; he performs signs and wonders in the heavens and on the earth. He has rescued Daniel from the power of the lions. So Daniel prospered during the reign of Darius and the reign of Cyrus the Persian. (Book of Daniel 6:25-28)
Pro 11:8 - The righteous is delivered from trouble, And it comes to the wicked instead.
1Pe 3:14, 17- But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed. "And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled." For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.
WHAT ABOUT YOU?
We all came here with a dream, a dream for ourselves and for our family. But if we can have the God who delivers Daniel from the lion’s den, the God who guides him to success, we will become over comer and not a looser. There is no need to trade in our principles and faith or even our bodies. For we can have a real savior who really love and cares for us. Paul the apostle, an expert lawyer once said; I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. (Php 4:13 ) Jesus said; apart from me you can do nothing. (John 15:5)
DO YOU WANT THE GOD OF DANIEL BE YOUR GOD?
Pray this as your own prayer. Dear God our Heavenly Father, I’ m very sorry that for so many years, I live without you and choose my own ways. Forgive me today as I repent. I ask you to come into my heart today. Please be my Lord and my Savior. I now surrender my life to you. Reign in my life from now on. In Jesus name Amen.
DREAM! BELIEVE! AND SURVIVE WITH GOD!
(Outline from the Book of Daniel Chapter Six)
I.Daniel’s promotion in the court of king Darius (Dan_6:1-3).
II.The envy and malice of his enemies against him (Dan_6:4, Dan_6:5).
III.The decree they obtained against prayer for 30 days (Dan_6:6-9).
IV.Daniel’s continuance and constancy in prayer(Dan_6:10).
V.The casting of Daniel into the den of lions (Dan_6:11-17).
VI.His miraculous preservation and deliverance out of it (Dan_6:18-23).
VII.The casting of his accusers into the den(Dan_6:24).
VIII.The decree which Darius made upon this occasion, in honor of the God of Daniel, and the prosperity of Daniel afterwards (Dan_6:25-28). And this God is our God forever and ever.
