Title: God is in Control
Theme: To show that God has a plan even in our persecution.
Text: Daniel 6:1 - 28
Introduction
For some reason or another over the years I have never preached from this passage. I have used it in some way as an illustration but not directly from these scriptures. It might sound strange to you but I have just found occasion to preach from here. I believe they are often misinterpreted and misused and taken out of context. The Lord is trying to tell us something here but we must take the whole story in to get it.
Well I have found occasion.
Dan 6:1-28 It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom one hundred and twenty satraps, to be over the whole kingdom; (2) and over these, three governors, of whom Daniel was one, that the satraps might give account to them, so that the king would suffer no loss. (3) Then this Daniel distinguished himself above the governors and satraps, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king gave thought to setting him over the whole realm. (4) So the governors and satraps sought to find some charge against Daniel concerning the kingdom (the laws of the land); but they could find no charge or fault, because he was faithful; nor was there any error or fault found in him. (he was a man of character, a man of integrity)
Pro 10:9 He who walks with integrity walks securely, But he who perverts his ways will become known.
(5) Then these men said, "We shall not find any charge against this Daniel unless we find it against him concerning the law of his God."
1Pe 3:15-17 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; (16) having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed. (17) For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.
1Pe 3:16 MSG Keep a clear conscience before God so that when people throw mud at you, none of it will stick. They'll end up realizing that they're the ones who need a bath.
(6) So these governors and satraps thronged before the king, and said thus to him: "King Darius, live forever! (7) "All the governors of the kingdom, the administrators and satraps, the counselors and advisors, have consulted together to establish a royal statute and to make a firm decree, that whoever petitions any god or man for thirty days, except you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions.
This is a petition, on the surface it did not look like prayer. What it looked like was they were saying, just consult or petition or get advice from. In other words the king should come first and he should be consulted first and any advice should come from him. To the king it sounded reasonable.
(8) "Now, O king, establish the decree and sign the writing, so that it cannot be changed, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which does not alter." (9) Therefore King Darius signed the written decree.
Here we learn a lesson on making a decision on pride. If Darius was smart he would have noticed that Daniel was not there. This was Daniel the man that he wanted to put in charge of everything.
Psalms 1:1 Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;
(10) Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went home. And in his upper room, with his windows open toward Jerusalem, he knelt down on his knees three times that day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as was his custom since early days. (just as he had always done)
Matthew 10:28 "And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
Psa 34:1-3 I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. (2) My soul shall make its boast in the LORD; The humble shall hear of it and be glad. (3) Oh, magnify the LORD with me, And let us exalt His name together.
(11) Then these men assembled and found Daniel praying and making supplication before his God. (12) And they went before the king, and spoke concerning the king's decree: "Have you not signed a decree that every man who petitions any god or man within thirty days, except you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions?" The king answered and said, "The thing is true, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which does not alter." (13) So they answered and said before the king, "That Daniel, who is one of the captives from Judah, does not show due regard for you, O king, or for the decree that you have signed, but makes his petition three times a day."
King Darius Response
(14) And the king, when he heard these words, was greatly displeased with himself, and set his heart on Daniel to deliver him; and he labored till the going down of the sun to deliver him. (15) Then these men approached the king, and said to the king, "Know, O king, that it is the law of the Medes and Persians that no decree or statute which the king establishes may be changed."
(16) So the king gave the command, and they brought Daniel and cast him into the den of lions. But the king spoke, saying to Daniel, "Your God, whom you serve continually, He will deliver you."
This was no guarantee on his part, we learn later that he was surprised to find Daniel still alive. Even Daniel didn’t know if God would get him out of this jam. I mean many of you are still in the same boat that I am in. You have been in or in situations that you have no answer to. You can’t figure out what God is going to do. It seems like you are sinking fast but you still stand by your commitment to the Lord. This to me is true commitment and faithfulness to the Lord. It is isn’t based on getting out as much as following him.
I love what
Dan 3:16-18 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego answered and said to the king, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. (17) "If that is the case, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king. (18) "But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up."
Job 13:15 Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him. Even so, I will defend my own ways before Him.
(17) Then a stone was brought and laid on the mouth of the den, and the king sealed it with his own signet ring and with the signets of his lords, that the purpose concerning Daniel might not be changed.
It was sealed by the law and seal of the government.
“Set in stone” this is the way it is.
They thought they had Jesus set in stone but thank God on the third day he rose from the dead.
They thought they had Paul and Silas set in stocks and prision, yet in the middle of their problem they started to praise and the prison shook and the gates fell open.
I just feel impressed of the Lord to tell somebody you need to praise in your prison, you need to quit focusing on the stocks and the bars and start praising. When you do the jail will shake. When you do the prison bars will open.
Don’t you tell me that behind the stone that Daniel just sit there and did not move. He just shook in fear the whole night. I believe that when he noticed that the mouths of the lions were shut he just started dancing.
You see this is how the enemy is. He looks ferrous, he looks fearful but
(18) Now the king went to his palace and spent the night fasting; and no musicians were brought before him. Also his sleep went from him. (19) Then the king arose very early in the morning and went in haste to the den of lions. (20) And when he came to the den, he cried out with a lamenting voice to Daniel. The king spoke, saying to Daniel, "Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to deliver you from the lions?" (21) Then Daniel said to the king, "O king, live forever! (22) "My God sent His angel and shut the lions' mouths, so that they have not hurt me, because I was found innocent before Him; and also, O king, I have done no wrong before you."
Daniel could have gotten mad, but he put it in the hands of the Lord, notice his response.
Joseph’s Response
Gen 50:19-20 Joseph said to them, "Do not be afraid, for am I in the place of God? (20) "But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive.
(23) Then the king was exceedingly glad for him, and commanded that they should take Daniel up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no injury whatever was found on him, because he believed in his God.
(24) And the king gave the command, and they brought those men who had accused Daniel, and they cast them into the den of lions; them, their children, and their wives; and the lions overpowered them, and broke all their bones in pieces before they ever came to the bottom of the den.
They were overpowered by their own plan and system. If we let them rule long enough they will shoot themselves in the foot and the light will shine forth. Remember in the darkness is where the light shines the most.
Rom 12:19 Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay," says the Lord.
Darius’ Decree
(25) Then King Darius wrote: To all peoples, nations, and languages that dwell in all the earth: Peace be multiplied to you. (26) I make a decree that in every dominion of my kingdom men must tremble and fear before the God of Daniel. For He is the living God, And steadfast forever; His kingdom is the one which shall not be destroyed, And His dominion shall endure to the end. (27) He delivers and rescues, And He works signs and wonders In heaven and on earth, Who has delivered Daniel from the power of the lions. (28) So this Daniel prospered in the reign of Darius and in the reign of Cyrus the Persian.
Conclusion
Psa 11:1-4 In the LORD I take refuge.
How then can you say to me: "Flee like a bird to your mountain.
(2) For look, the wicked bend their bows; they set their arrows against the strings to shoot from the shadows
at the upright in heart.
1Pe 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.
(3) When the foundations are being destroyed, what can the righteous do [1] ?"
Psa 46:10 Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!
(4) The LORD (Jehovah –self existent one) is in his holy temple;
1Co 6:19-20 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? (20) For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.
1Jn 4:4 You are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
the LORD is on his heavenly throne.
He observes the sons of men; his eyes examine them.
KJV {b) [his eyelids try, the children of men] His eyelids are drawn close together so as to get a more single, direct, and penetrating look at people.
—Dake's
2Ch 16:9 "For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him. In this you have done foolishly; therefore from now on you shall have wars."
Get Ready! Get Ready! Get Ready!
