“Never Give Up”
Dan 6:10
Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before. NIV
Introduction:
We are about to conclude our series on “Never Give Up”. Allow me to bring you to one of the most admired character in the Old Testament; he is strong, he is righteous, and he is very brave… his name is Daniel.
When it comes to overcoming challenges in life he will always display his total submission to God. He knows God very well… Death threat will not stop him from spending regular and intimate time with God.
Have you ever experience a death threat simply because you pray to the living God? Don’t smile! Daniel did… Let’s examine this chapter (6) for us to understand the whole story.
It’s always a good thing to see the positive things… so, let’s start with…
I. The Good About Daniel
Dan 6:3 “Now Daniel so distinguished himself among the administrators
and the satraps by his exceptional qualities that the king planned to set
him over the whole kingdom. NIV
Distinguish qualities among others:
Dan 6:4 “…They could find no corruption in him, because he was
trustworthy and neither corrupt nor negligent”. NIV
A. He is not corrupt
- Daniel knew that he doesn’t need to play dirty tricks in order for him
to climb all the way to the top faster than the other 2 administrators.
- As a matter of fact, the king had a plan of promoting him anytime
soon.
B. He is trustworthy
- He found favor in the eyes of the king that is why more
responsibilities are waiting to be entrusted to him.
- Anything the king entrusts unto him, he will surely deliver. He can
make things happen…
C. He is responsible
- He is a good and responsible steward of everything the king would
entrust unto him.
- He is serious in everything he does… He is wholehearted in his
service to the king.
Because of these qualities people around him becomes envy of him… Now, let’s talk about…
II. The Greedy People around Daniel
Dan 6:4a-5 “At this, the administrators and the satraps tried to find
grounds for charges against Daniel in his conduct of government affairs,
but they were unable to do so…” Finally these men said, "We will never
find any basis for charges against this man Daniel unless it has
something to do with the law of his God." NIV
The great conspiracy against Daniel:
A. The allied forces
Dan 6:7b “all agreed that the king should issue an edict and enforce
the decree”. NIV
- Without his knowledge, the royal administrators, prefects, satraps,
advisers and governors conspires against him.
- They wanted to hinder his promotion and eventually take him out of
their way.
- They wanted to kill him…
B. The arrangement
Dan 6:7c “that anyone who prays to any god or man during the next
thirty days, except to you, O king…” NIV
- They knew how prayerful Daniel is… probably that becomes their
clue why Daniel is prospering in life.
- They wanted to prevent him from enjoying his intimate time with his
creator and God.
- They even find a way to convince the king to sign a decree against a
few people only.
C. The aftermath
Dan 6:7d “shall be thrown into the lions' den”. NIV
- To be thrown into the lions’ den is equivalent to a death penalty.
Therefore, disobeying the decree would mean suffering capital
punishment.
- This is to intimidate Daniel and to force him to compromise his faith.
Did the decree stops him from his commitment to God? The last part talks about…
III. The God of Daniel
Response to the decree…
A. Giving up is not an option
Dan 6:10-11 “Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been
published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows
opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his
knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done
before. 11 Then these men went as a group and found Daniel
praying and asking God for help”. NIV
- Daniel was a very consistent man.
- The decree did not stop him from his devotion to God.
- He will not give up even if it causes him his life.
- He could have close the door and windows of his home every time
he prays to protect himself from spies but he did not.
- He prayed as if everything is ok, he is not bothered by the decree
and its penalty.
B. God sent His angel to rescue Daniel
Dan 6:22 “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." NIV
- Daniel was thrown into the lions’ den because he is guilty of
disobeying the decree of the king.
- Hungry lions were waiting for him… he will sure be as good as dead
and serve as food for the hungry lions.
- The unexpected things happened, God sent His angel to rescue His
servant Daniel.
- Nothing happens to Daniel… the lions were tamed by God in order
to protect Daniel.
- Not only that, who falsely accused him were thrown into the lions
den, together with their wives and children… the lions overpowered
them and crushed all their bones.
Illustration:
Team Hoyt Story (Show Video Clip)
C. God get’s the glory
Dan 6:26-27 "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 forever; his kingdom will not be
destroyed, his dominion will never end. 27 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." NIV
- It was not Daniel who gets the glory but the God whom he serves.
- The king decided to make a new decree, this time without the
influence of anyone but according to what he has seen and
experience from the life of Daniel.
Conclusion:
A. We never give up because God will never give us up.
B. When the going get tough God is right there to rescue us.
C. When we never give up God get’s all the glory.
