LIVING IN A LION’S DEN WITHOUT BEING EATEN
Dan. 6:1-24
INTRODUCTION
A. HUMOR: HELPING OUT
1. We all love it when other drivers blow their horns at us. It can really test your Christianity! I remember the story of…
2. Sandra, while out driving her car, stopped to obey a red light intersection. While waiting for the light to turn green, her car just suddenly died. It was a busy intersection, and the traffic behind her started growing.
3. When the light turned green, and she had still not been successful at starting her car, the guy in the car directly behind her started to become very impatient, which he showed by honking his horn continuously as Sandra worked feverishly to get the car started again.
4. Finally, in desperation at all the honking, Sandra got out of her car and approached the guy in the car behind her. "I can't seem to get my car started," Sandra said to him, smiling.
5. "Would you be a sweetheart and go and see if you can get it started for me? I'll stay here in your car and lean on your horn for you."
B. TEXT
4 At this, the administrators and the satraps tried to find grounds for charges against Daniel…but they were unable to do so. They could find no corruption in him, because he was trustworthy and neither corrupt nor negligent. 6 So these administrators and satraps went as a group to the king and said: “King Darius, 7 issue an edict… that anyone who prays to any god or human being during the next thirty days, except to you, Your Majesty, shall be thrown into the lions’ den. 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. 11 Then these men went as a group and found Daniel praying and asking God for help. 12
So they went to the king…. 13 Then they said to the king, “Daniel, who is one of the exiles from Judah, pays no attention to you, Your Majesty, or to the decree you put in writing. He still prays three times a day.” 16 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!” 18 Then the king returned to his palace and spent the night without eating and…. he could not sleep. 19 At the first light of dawn, the king got up and hurried to the lions’ den. 20 [and] 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?” 21 Daniel answered, “May the king live forever! 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.” 23 And when Daniel was lifted from the den, no wound was found on him, because he had trusted in his God. 24 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.
C. THESIS
1. There are 5 characteristics about Daniel that, when the lions came to eat him, were the things responsible for keeping him from being devoured.
2. The title of this message is “Living in a Lion’s Den without being Eaten.”
I. WORKED HARD, KEPT A CLEAN LIFE
A. THE SCRIPTURES
4 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. They could find no corruption in him, because he was trustworthy and neither corrupt nor negligent. 5 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.”
B. VALUE OF HARD WORK & CLEAN LIFE
1. Almost everybody respects and values a person who works hard. Daniel did quality work. One sure way to discredit our witness as a Christian is to do mediocre work for our employer.
2. ILLUSTRATION
a. Tony Evans told the story of how when he was at seminary, he worked for the Greyhound Bus Lines at night, loading the buses.
b. There were a lot of other man working there, but night after night they would just sleep or play video games, and were content to let Tony do all the work of loading the buses.
c. He could have gotten resentful but he knew that he was working for God and needed to work conscientiously whether others were working or not.
d. A few weeks later, all the other lazy man were fired. It turns out, there was a secret window above, where the workers could be viewed by supervisors.
e. Not only did Tony keep his job, but was given a raise and a promotion because he had been doing the right thing when others were doing the wrong thing!
3. That's what Daniel did. When you do the right thing you have nothing to fear and even though no one else sees, God sees and will reward you!
II. WASN’T SURPRISED BY OPPOSITION
A. DANIEL KNEW IT WOULD COME
1. Undoubtedly Daniel knew all the plans of his enemies. He had many friends in high places who let him know what was going on.
2. Certainly he knew when they combed through all his records; when they questioned his subordinates; when they traveled to meet together. He knew when they approached the king with the legislation.
3. Yet he did nothing to stop them. Why? Because he was in the hands of the Lord.
4. Don’t be surprised when opposition arises to you. Lions just don’t live in dens, they live in offices, neighborhoods, the streets of our city, & sometimes our churches!
5. John 15:20, “Remember what I told you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also.”
6. The Lord said, “Woe unto you if all men speak well of you!” Offenses must come, but woe to him through whom the offenses come. So we shouldn’t be surprised about opposition.
B. HUMOR: IT’S EASY TO BE CRITICAL
1. Julie and her friend were eating at a Chinese restaurant. When the waiter set chopsticks at their places, Julie made a point of reaching into her purse and pulling out her own pair.
2. "As an environmentalist," she declared, "I don’t approve of destroying bamboo forests for throwaway utensils." Everyone around was impressed.
3. The waiter inspected her chopsticks. "Very beautiful chop sticks," he said politely. "Made of IVORY!"
C. FINDINGS OF THE SNOOPS
1. What did his enemies find when they loosed the auditors and the investigative teams on him? When they checked the document shredder, his travel expenses, and all his activities?
2. Daniel hadn’t misused the palace post office, written any hot checks, sexually harassed his female or male staff, or gotten involved in the Euphrates River Development Scandal. They could find no bribes, no cover-ups, and no scandals.
3. They found him to be faithful. There was no "corruption." They found him to be diligent. There was no negligence. Wow what a guy!
III. HIS RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD WAS PRIMARY
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. 11 Then these men went as a group and found Daniel praying and asking God for help.
A. DID DANIEL THINK THINGS WERE “OUT OF CONTROL?”
1. No! Does your situation seem out of control? It’s not!
2. Quit fighting it physically. Pray harder. Beseech God to handle it.
3. There is Power in Intercession!
4. NOTICE HIS HABIT OF PRAYER:
a. AGE. In his 80s -- yet he didn't feel he’d already prayed long enough.
b. GREATNESS. He was not too great to bow!
c. YEARS OF PRAYER. He didn't feel, with the many hours of prayer, he’d prayed his share.
B. SEE DANIEL’S COURAGE – AFTER THE DECREE
1. Daniel didn't alter his routine at all.
a. The TIME was the same.
b. The ATTITUDE was the same.
c. He OPENED his WINDOW as always.
d. He took NO PRECAUTIONS.
2. Daniel knew that God was in charge/control.
a. He knew God could handle the scheme of his enemies.
b. He knew that other Jews and Gentiles were watching him; he dared not flinch or show fear.
C. A LITTLE COMPROMISE – SO WHAT?
1. Daniel would not compromise! He could've compromised:
a. Not prayed for one month;
b. Could have prayed secretly.
2. The reason we have our Bibles and faith today is because men, who went before us, wouldn't compromise.
3. John Bunyan was brought before the magistrates who told him he must not preach! "But I will preach," he said, "I will preach tomorrow by the help of God."
"But you will be put in prison again." "Never mind, I will preach as soon as I get out."
"But you will be hanged or else in prison all your life." "If I lie in prison," he said, "till the moss grows upon my eyelids, I can say nothing more than this, that with God's help, I will preach whenever I get a chance!"
4. Some may say, "Daniel is too strict; he could've compromised and still pleased God." I say, "No!"
a. No! God is looking for exemplary people. God is looking for people who’ll set the standard. We don't need low standards, but high ones! “For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.” 2 Chr. 16:9.
b. God is sick of compromisers. Compromising with sin is the order of the day. Modern Christians are too tolerant of homosexuality, abortion on demand, R-rated movies, living together, social drinking, etc. Revelations 3:16 says that compromise makes God want to vomit.
c. God wanted Daniel in the Lion's den! God showed He approved of it by delivering him. It's about time -- instead of kissing the devil, we punch him! No! Stand for something! Arrest the enemy, bind him, cast him out!
5. Did not God approve of his conduct? God rewarded him for standing alone for what was true!
6. If I were in the military and given a uniform, I'd wear it, lest I be thought a deserter! Act like a Christian and not a wimp!
IV. HE HAD FAITH IN GOD’S DELIVERANCE
A. THE FAITH OF DANIEL
1. 20 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?” 21 Daniel answered, “May the king live forever! 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, Your Majesty.”
2. The book of HEBREWS 11:33 says, “Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions.”
B. DANIEL & HIS GOD WERE PROMOTED
1. Daniel was cast into the lion's den, but God sent His Angel to shut the lion's mouth.
2. The King stayed up all night, but Daniel slept soundly, using the lion for a pillow!
3. Daniel was delivered from the Lions, but the wicked men who accused him were eaten by them.
4. King Darius made a Decree (vs. 26-27) that the God of Daniel -- Jehovah -- should be honored throughout the Persian empire.
5. God promoted Daniel over all the others and He will promote you if you will stand for Him. But if we are cowardly, we’ll lose even the position we had.
V. HAD AN ATTITUDE OF THANKSGIVING
A.DANIEL’S AMAZING THANKFULNESS
1. Daniel 6:10, "Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.”
2. Giving thanks during times of attack helps you to put your focus on the source of real strength - the Lord God Almighty.
3. Right now you may not be able to think of things to be thankful for, but let me suggest at least 7 things we can all be thankful for:
B. 7 THINGS WE CAN BE THANKFUL FOR
1. I CAN BE THANKFUL THAT GOD IS A GOOD GOD. PS. 106:1 Praise the LORD. Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; His love endures forever.
2. I CAN BE THANKFUL FOR GOD’S UNFAILING LOVE. PS. 107:8 Let them give thanks to the LORD for His unfailing love and His wonderful deeds for men.
3. I CAN BE THANKFUL THAT GOD IS ALWAYS NEAR ME.
PS. 145:18 The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.
4. I AM THANKFUL FOR ALL OF THE PRAYERS GOD HAS ANSWERED. PS. 118:21 I will give You thanks, for You answered me; You have become my salvation.
5. I CAN BE THANKFUL FOR THE BIBLE.
PS. 119:62 At midnight I rise to give You thanks for Your righteous laws.
6. I CAN BE THANKFUL FOR THE ETERNAL HOME GOD HAS GIVEN ME. HEB 12:28 Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe.
7. MOST OF ALL I AM THANKFUL FOR THE GIFT OF GOD’S OWN SON. “Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!” 2 Cor. 9:15.
CONCLUSION
A. ILLUSTRATION
1. A few years ago here in Texas, a pilot left an airplane running on the runway (in park, while he ran to get something) and somehow the motor engaged and, without a pilot, the plane took off.
2. The airplane stayed in the air, flying around, for about 90 minutes. Then the inevitable occurred: it ran out of gas and crashed.
3. This is proof that it’s possible for you or I to take off – get religious – and fly around as if we had the Pilot on board. 4. But no matter how far we get or how high we fly, our life will be pointless without the Pilot directing our course.
5. Eventually all those “flying” without the Pilot will experience the same conclusion; they will ALL CRASH!
6. Daniel was smart enough to always come back and make sure the Pilot was on board his ship. Will you?
B. THE CALL
1. Daniel did 5 things that kept him from being eaten:
a. Worked hard and kept his life unblemished;
b. Wasn’t surprised about opposition;
c. Kept his relationship with God primary;
d. Believed God would deliver him;
e. Had an attitude of thanksgiving.
2. Let’s ask God to put these same characteristics in us!
3. Prayer.
[The title and a few concepts derived from Ray Ellis’ sermon of the same name.]
