Opening Video: Story of God
Daniel: Sold out to Jesus
Thesis: Daniel was a man sold out to the Holy Spirit and as a result it influenced his life situation, rather than letting his life situations influence him. Our commitments in life reveal what our hearts treasure.
Text: Proverbs 16:3 “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.”
Illustration: Mr. Holland’s Opus – The scene is at the end of the movie when he has been let go because of budget cuts. He wonders if he made a difference. He is escorted into the auditorium where he is surprised to find that it is packed full of people who he influenced as a result of his commitment to teach them music. A former student now governor tells everyone that Mr. Holland touched every one of his students and that, even though he may not have finished composing his musical symphony, his students represent his living symphony. His commitment did make a difference – it impacted many lives.
Introduction: Daniel was a man similar to Mr. Holland he was a man who committed to the Lord and to others and it made a difference in others lives. Daniel was a man committed to the spirit of God. His commitment to the things of God influenced his life situation, rather than letting his life situation influence him.
Christianity without commitment is always Christianity without Christ.
Commitment is the mindset that refuses to compromise its relationship with Jesus Christ. To commit to something means – to have a mindset that has pledged or promised to live your life fully to that committed area. When we commit to being a Christian we in essence commit to being a witness for Jesus Christ. This means conducting ourselves in manner worthy of the name Christian. It means that whoever we come in contact with whether they are Christian or not will know who I have made a covenant with.
The other night I was channel surfing and came a cross a scene on Seinfeld where Kramer was trying to convince Jerry that he should not make a commitment to the girl he was seeing. Jerry asked him why? Kramer responded, “Because when you commit – you’re committed to marriage prison.” He spoofs it like a mental patient is committed because he has lost his mind. Jerry bursts out, “No I want to commit to her.” Kramer right back at him, “No man no he said. Listen to what happens if you commit. You can no longer watch television and eat supper. You have to sit down at the dinner table and talk to her man.” Jerry responds, “No way, you’re kidding?” Kramer, “Yeah man you become a slave to her you have to do the “I want to know talks.” He continues, “You have to tell her what was good and bad about your day.” Jerry responds,” Get out of here!” Kramer says, “It’s over man and you are committed to prison and its pure torture.”
Commitment has received a negative rap today in our society we laugh about the Seinfeld show’s play on commitment being negative and bad but really our society has become a culture lacking more and more commitment to godly causes such as patriotism, charitable organizations, churches, God, Jesus, the Bible, Christian schools, and yes, even to each other in marriage.
I find it perplexing that those who God says to commit together in marriage lack commitment to each other - so we have people just living together – and those who are not to be committed together in marriage want to be allowed to commit together. Have you thought about that? Something is drastically wrong in our society “Gays” want to be able to commit to each other in marriage which is condemned in Romans 1, Leviticus, Genesis and many other texts. But the ones God says who should commit together in the sacred act of marriage do not want to do that – they want to forgo commitment to God and to the divine sacrament of marriage and live in sin.
Proverbs 16:25 warns us, “There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.”
Commitment is an essential part of the Christian walk. When we say we need to be committed to Christ it means the following:
1. When we commit it means we have the mindset to stick with it to the end.
2. When we commit we stand on our values even if others disagree.
3. When we commit we determine to not compromise our ethics.
4. When we commit we refuse to be polluted by the world’s ways.
5. When we commit we take responsibility for our actions.
6. When we commit we trust God when we face impossible situations.
7. When we commit we see God use us mightily in His kingdom to influence others.
When we learn the value and benefits of commitment to the Kingdom of Heaven we become amazed at the results.
You ask what kind of results? Here are a few that I have observed as a result of making a commitment to Jesus Christ:
1. Commitment brings peace and contentment.
2. Commitment brings divine insight to my life.
3. Commitment brings focus to my life.
4. Commitment brings integrity.
5. Commitment brings success to my life.
6. Commitment brings a life filled with fruitful labor.
7. Commitment brings a closer relationship with the Lord.
8. Commitment brings earthly rewards.
9. Commitment brings me respect from others.
10. Commitment brings changed lives.
11. Commitment brings hope to the hopeless.
12. Commitment brings dead people back to life.
13. Commitment brings eternal rewards.
14. Commitment brings honor to God who in return honors you.
Let's do a character sketch on Daniel – a committed man of God- and learn how to be men and women who have a committed spirit.
Historical Background:
Daniel was among the Jewish captives of the first deportment by Nebuchadnezzar in 605 B.C. He lived in Babylon throughout the entire seventy- year captivity period. Daniel was taken captive at eighteen years old. He served for three different rulers.
1. Nebuchadnezzar (Neo-Babylonian)
2. Darius the Mede (Median)
3. Cyrus (Persian)
Daniel, as we shall see, was one of the most notable characters of Jewish history, one of the greatest and purest souls of the Bible. He was a man with a committed spirit who influenced his surroundings. He never compromised his personal walk with God in his captivity. Instead he separated himself from the defilement of Babylon and became an active witness for God.
I. DANIEL SHOWED THE QUALITY OF A MAN WITH A COMMITTED SPIRIT BY HIS MORALITY IN HIS PERSONAL LIFE. (Dan. 1:8-20)
a. 8But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way. 9Now God had caused the official to show favor and sympathy to Daniel, 10but the official told Daniel, “I am afraid of my lord the king, who has assigned your food and drink. Why should he see you looking worse than the other young men your age? The king would then have my head because of you.” 11Daniel then said to the guard whom the chief official had appointed over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah, 12“Please test your servants for ten days: Give us nothing but vegetables to eat and water to drink. 13Then compare our appearance with that of the young men who eat the royal food, and treat your servants in accordance with what you see.” 14So he agreed to this and tested them for ten days.15At the end of the ten days they looked healthier and better nourished than any of the young men who ate the royal food. 16So the guard took away their choice food and the wine they were to drink and gave them vegetables instead. 17To these four young men God gave knowledge and understanding of all kinds of literature and learning. And Daniel could understand visions and dreams of all kinds. 18At the end of the time set by the king to bring them in, the chief official presented them to Nebuchadnezzar. 19The king talked with them, and he found none equal to Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah; so they entered the king’s service. 20In every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the king questioned them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters in his whole kingdom.
b. Daniel, a captive of Babylon who was castrated because he was chosen by Ashpenaz to serve in the king's court, always acted in humility and never became bitter because of his captivity, and he never let Babylon destroy his morals.
i. Even under extreme circumstances, his true character blossomed forth.
1. Daniel decided in his heart, that he would not drink or eat of the royal food. He decided that Babylon would not influence his moral life. (Vs. 8)
2. Daniel did not want to eat or drink the royal meals for two reasons:
a. The food served was forbidden by the Mosaic Law (Ezekiel 4:13-15) 13 Then the Lord said, "So shall the children of Israel eat their defiled bread among the Gentiles, where I will drive them." 14 So I said, "Ah, Lord God! Indeed I have never defiled myself from my youth till now; I have never eaten what died of itself or was torn by beasts, nor has abominable flesh ever come into my mouth."
i. The food had been consecrated by presenting it to idols before serving.
b. We see that Jeremiah's prophecy was fulfilled. "I will write my law on their hearts." It was written in Daniel's heart.
3. We notice that Daniel approached the chief official with gentleness and humility, asking permission to abstain from the food and drink. (Vs. 8)
a. He even showed forth his wisdom by suggesting a test. (Vs. 11-14)
b. It is important to remember that this situation was a life and death situation in those days. Daniel stood on the principles of the Word, but acted in humility. He let the reality stay in his heart and let God lead him to a peaceful solution.
c. The result of his obedience to God and request to the official brought God's blessings.
d. He and his friends had great physical health and vigor (1:15)
e. God increased their intellectual attainment and knowledge. (1:17, 20)
f. They gained spiritual power (1:17)
g. They also prospered and influenced their surroundings.
c. Application: This example of Daniel should influence us not to let the world erode our moral life. We are not to conform to the world's ways or manners, but be men and women of god who influence our surroundings. We should not do what this man did:
i. Illustration: "They Did Not Find It Out."
1. Evangelist Billy Sunday tells the story of a certain man, a professing Christian, whose business required him to spend some months among the lumber-jacks of the Northwest. Knowing how rough and godless many of these men are, and how they ridicule sacred things, a friend said to him, "What did the jackies do to you when they found out you were a Christian?" And the traveler answered with a touch of shameless pride, "They did not do anything, for they did not find it out! "How glaring the contrast between this cowardly silence and the witness-bearing of a Western traveling man! In the office of a rude hotel several miners were gambling. As they became intoxicated, they began to swear, particularly taking in vain the name of Jesus. The Christian traveler was writing his daily letter to the house. He sat still a moment, wondering whether to leave the room or rebuke these strangers for their profanity. Finally he walked over and said, "Pardon me, boys, but this Jesus Christ whose name you are coupling with such vile oaths is my Savior, and it hurts to hear you use His name so. He's done too much for us all to be given such treatment. If you must swear, can't you leave the name of Jesus out? Rough as they were, the men saw the genuineness of the man who spoke, and saying, "All Right, pard; we'll see what we can do," they quieted down, and swore no more. Does the world know you are a committed Christian? Do the members of your fraternity, lodge, or social circle know it? If they do not, how does it happen? It cannot be that you are ashamed of it. Let us live so true to Him that, whether or acquaintances know much about us or little, they will at least know that we dearly love our Lord, --Christian Endeavor World
ii. We need to understand and realize that if we are faithful to make our stand, we will also see God bless us with:
1. Physical health and vigor
2. Intelligence, wisdom and knowledge in the academic world and in the spiritual dimension.
3. Moral and spiritual power and ability.
4. Soul prosperity and influence in our environment.
T.S. - Daniel showed commitment to the Lord by making his stand and God blessed him but many more challenges came to him and he stayed committed. Let’s explore another one.
II. DANIEL ALSO SHOWED THE QUALITY OF A MAN WITH A COMMITTED SPIRIT THROUGH ALL HIS TRIALS AND TRIBULATIONS. (Dan. 2:10-38):
a. 10The astrologers answered the king, “There is not a man on earth who can do what the king asks! No king, however great and mighty, has ever asked such a thing of any magician or enchanter or astrologer. 11What the king asks is too difficult. No one can reveal it to the king except the gods, and they do not live among men.” 12This made the king so angry and furious that he ordered the execution of all the wise men of Babylon. 13So the decree was issued to put the wise men to death, and men were sent to look for Daniel and his friends to put them to death. 14When Arioch, the commander of the king’s guard, had gone out to put to death the wise men of Babylon, Daniel spoke to him with wisdom and tact. 15He asked the king’s officer, “Why did the king issue such a harsh decree?” Arioch then explained the matter to Daniel. 16At this, Daniel went in to the king and asked for time, so that he might interpret the dream for him. 17Then Daniel returned to his house and explained the matter to his friends Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah. 18He urged them to plead for mercy from the God of heaven concerning this mystery, so that he and his friends might not be executed with the rest of the wise men of Babylon. 19During the night the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision. Then Daniel praised the God of heaven 20and said:
“Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever;
wisdom and power are his.
21 He changes times and seasons;
he sets up kings and deposes them.
He gives wisdom to the wise
and knowledge to the discerning.
22 He reveals deep and hidden things;
he knows what lies in darkness,
and light dwells with him.
23 I thank and praise you, O God of my fathers:
You have given me wisdom and power,
you have made known to me what we asked of you,
you have made known to us the dream of the king.”
24Then Daniel went to Arioch, whom the king had appointed to execute the wise men of Babylon, and said to him, “Do not execute the wise men of Babylon. Take me to the king, and I will interpret his dream for him.” 25Arioch took Daniel to the king at once and said, “I have found a man among the exiles from Judah who can tell the king what his dream means.” 26The king asked Daniel (also called Belteshazzar), “Are you able to tell me what I saw in my dream and interpret it?” 27Daniel replied, “No wise man, enchanter, magician or diviner can explain to the king the mystery he has asked about, 28but there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries. He has shown King Nebuchadnezzar what will happen in days to come. Your dream and the visions that passed through your mind as you lay on your bed are these: 29“As you were lying there, O king, your mind turned to things to come, and the revealer of mysteries showed you what is going to happen. 30As for me, this mystery has been revealed to me, not because I have greater wisdom than other living men, but so that you, O king, may know the interpretation and that you may understand what went through your mind. 31“You looked, O king, and there before you stood a large statue—an enormous, dazzling statue, awesome in appearance. 32The head of the statue was made of pure gold, its chest and arms of silver, its belly and thighs of bronze, 33its legs of iron, its feet partly of iron and partly of baked clay. 34While you were watching, a rock was cut out, but not by human hands. It struck the statue on its feet of iron and clay and smashed them. 35Then the iron, the clay, the bronze, the silver and the gold were broken to pieces at the same time and became like chaff on a threshing floor in the summer. The wind swept them away without leaving a trace. But the rock that struck the statue became a huge mountain and filled the whole earth. 36“This was the dream, and now we will interpret it to the king. 37You, O king, are the king of kings. The God of heaven has given you dominion and power and might and glory; 38in your hands he has placed mankind and the beasts of the field and the birds of the air. Wherever they live, he has made you ruler over them all. You are that head of gold.
b. Once again, Daniel's true spirit is revealed. He is faced with a life and death situation. He responds with wisdom and tact in the face of this trial.
i. Step One Faith: Daniel dealt with the problem first by telling this king that if he gave them time, he would interpret and give the dream. (Vs. 14-16) This showed Daniel's faith and trust in God to provide the answer.
1. This is faith in God in action!
a. What would you have done if you were Daniel!
b. Say this is impossible to the king like the others?
c. Or take a risk and step out in faith.
2. It is important to notice that the astrologers told the king that the dream could not be told and interpreted by any man on earth. (Vs. 10)
a. Their response is a true response to the king – man cannot interpret this dream on their own.
3. They also stated that no one could reveal it except the gods, and they do not live among men. (Vs. 11)
a. But God does live among men through Jesus and the Holy Spirit.
i. We are his dwelling temple today if we invite Him in.
4. These statements paved the way for Daniel, a man who could reveal the dream because there is a God who dwells among men.
a. Do you need wisdom in any situation James 1 says to ask God for it.
ii. Daniel's second act in dealing with the problem was to meet with his friends and pray to God in unity for the God of heaven to reveal the dream and the interpretation. (2:17-18). God answered their prayers in the night and revealed it to Daniel in a vision.
1. Daniel called an all night prayer meeting with his friends and other believers.
2. Prayer is a missing ingredient for many today and therefore they lack wisdom and connection with the Lord.
iii. Daniel's third response was giving praise to God for answering his prayer.
1. When you get an answered prayer do you praise God for it? Or just go on with life?
a. Many times we prayer God answers and we don’t even say “Thank You”
2. He also acknowledged that he knows that God rules the world and not men. (23:20 & 22)
a. Praise is connected with giving God honor for who He is.
b. Praise diminishes our pride in self and recognizes God’s ultimate position.
iv. Daniel's fourth response was going to the king in faith, assured that he had the interpretation and that he had heard from God, and he presented his spiritual insight.
1. When you pray and receive an answer from God do you take it to the next level and step out in faith.
v. Daniel's fifth response to the king was to reveal that he does not pretend to solve the mystery by his own wisdom but that there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries.
1. We see here Daniel's humility of spirit at work and even more so in verse 30. He states, "As for me, this mystery has been revealed to me, not because I have greater wisdom than other living men, but so that you, O King, may know the interpretation. . . "
2. Daniel's gives the dream and the interpretation and tells a heathen king that, "The God of heaven has given you dominion and power and might and glory."
a. This is a dangerous statement to make to a heathen king. It could have cost Daniel his head. But, Daniel, being God's messenger, does it in boldness because he knew God was in control.
b. Daniel proves his boldness even more in verse 45 by telling the king that his dream and interpretations are trustworthy.
vi. The result of Daniel's faith, prayer, and action resulted in Daniel's promotion. Daniel requested that the king appoint his friends also.
c. Application: The way that Daniel dealt with the problem is a method for us today to handle problems in our life.
i. We are to approach the trial with faith in God that He will bring us through.
ii. We should get on our knees and pray, asking our friends to pray with us.
iii. When we receive the answer, we are to praise God not ourselves.
iv. We are to face the situation with God's assurance that He is in control of the world. We must remember that the emergencies of life are under the providence of God.
v. When we make it through, we are to be humble in spirit and remember the source that enabled us to make it through. Then we should share the reward with our friends.
T.S.- Daniel’s commitment to the Lord paid off in a life and death situation and it also gave him influence with those he served.
III. DANIEL ALSO SHOWED THE QUALITY OF A MAN WITH A COMMITTED SPIRIT BY HIS SERVICE AND LOYALTY TO HIS SUPERIORS (Dan. 4:1-37; Dan. 6: 1-24)
Daniel 4:1-37:
a. 1King Nebuchadnezzar, To the peoples, nations and men of every language, who live in all the world: May you prosper greatly! 2It is my pleasure to tell you about the miraculous signs and wonders that the Most High God has performed for me. 3How great are his signs, how mighty his wonders! His kingdom is an eternal kingdom; his dominion endures from generation to generation. 4I, Nebuchadnezzar, was at home in my palace, contented and prosperous. 5I had a dream that made me afraid. As I was lying in my bed, the images and visions that passed through my mind terrified me. 6So I commanded that all the wise men of Babylon be brought before me to interpret the dream for me. 7When the magicians, enchanters, astrologers? and diviners came, I told them the dream, but they could not interpret it for me. 8Finally, Daniel came into my presence and I told him the dream. (He is called Belteshazzar, after the name of my god, and the spirit of the holy gods is in him.) 9I said, “Belteshazzar, chief of the magicians, I know that the spirit of the holy gods is in you, and no mystery is too difficult for you. Here is my dream; interpret it for me. 10These are the visions I saw while lying in my bed: I looked, and there before me stood a tree in the middle of the land. Its height was enormous. 11The tree grew large and strong and its top touched the sky; it was visible to the ends of the earth. 12Its leaves were beautiful, its fruit abundant, and on it was food for all. Under it the beasts of the field found shelter, and the birds of the air lived in its branches; from it every creature was fed. 13“In the visions I saw while lying in my bed, I looked, and there before me was a messenger,? a holy one, coming down from heaven. 14He called in a loud voice: ‘Cut down the tree and trim off its branches; strip off its leaves and scatter its fruit. Let the animals flee from under it and the birds from its branches. 15But let the stump and its roots, bound with iron and bronze, remain in the ground, in the grass of the field. “‘Let him be drenched with the dew of heaven, and let him live with the animals among the plants of the earth. 16Let his mind be changed from that of a man and let him be given the mind of an animal, till seven times? pass by for him. 17“‘The decision is announced by messengers, the holy ones declare the verdict, so that the living may know that the Most High is sovereign over the kingdoms of men and gives them to anyone he wishes and sets over them the lowliest of men.’ 18“This is the dream that I, King Nebuchadnezzar, had. Now, Belteshazzar, tell me what it means, for none of the wise men in my kingdom can interpret it for me. But you can, because the spirit of the holy gods is in you.” 19Then Daniel (also called Belteshazzar) was greatly perplexed for a time, and his thoughts terrified him. So the king said, “Belteshazzar, do not let the dream or its meaning alarm you.” Belteshazzar answered, “My lord, if only the dream applied to your enemies and its meaning to your adversaries! 20The tree you saw, which grew large and strong, with its top touching the sky, visible to the whole earth, 21with beautiful leaves and abundant fruit, providing food for all, giving shelter to the beasts of the field, and having nesting places in its branches for the birds of the air—22you, O king, are that tree! You have become great and strong; your greatness has grown until it reaches the sky, and your dominion extends to distant parts of the earth. 23“You, O king, saw a messenger, a holy one, coming down from heaven and saying, ‘Cut down the tree and destroy it, but leave the stump, bound with iron and bronze, in the grass of the field, while its roots remain in the ground. Let him be drenched with the dew of heaven; let him live like the wild animals, until seven times pass by for him.’ 24“This is the interpretation, O king, and this is the decree the Most High has issued against my lord the king: 25You will be driven away from people and will live with the wild animals; you will eat grass like cattle and be drenched with the dew of heaven. Seven times will pass by for you until you acknowledge that the Most High is sovereign over the kingdoms of men and gives them to anyone he wishes. 26The command to leave the stump of the tree with its roots means that your kingdom will be restored to you when you acknowledge that Heaven rules. 27Therefore, O king, be pleased to accept my advice: Renounce your sins by doing what is right, and your wickedness by being kind to the oppressed. It may be that then your prosperity will continue.” 28All this happened to King Nebuchadnezzar. 29Twelve months later, as the king was walking on the roof of the royal palace of Babylon, 30he said, “Is not this the great Babylon I have built as the royal residence, by my mighty power and for the glory of my majesty?” 31The words were still on his lips when a voice came from heaven, “This is what is decreed for you, King Nebuchadnezzar: Your royal authority has been taken from you. 32You will be driven away from people and will live with the wild animals; you will eat grass like cattle. Seven times will pass by for you until you acknowledge that the Most High is sovereign over the kingdoms of men and gives them to anyone he wishes.” 33Immediately what had been said about Nebuchadnezzar was fulfilled. He was driven away from people and ate grass like cattle. His body was drenched with the dew of heaven until his hair grew like the feathers of an eagle and his nails like the claws of a bird. 34At the end of that time, I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes toward heaven, and my sanity was restored. Then I praised the Most High; I honored and glorified him who lives forever. His dominion is an eternal dominion; his kingdom endures from generation to generation.35All the peoples of the earth are regarded as nothing. He does as he pleases with the powers of heaven and the peoples of the earth. No one can hold back his hand or say to him: “What have you done?”36At the same time that my sanity was restored, my honor and splendor were returned to me for the glory of my kingdom. My advisers and nobles sought me out, and I was restored to my throne and became even greater than before. 37Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, because everything he does is right and all his ways are just. And those who walk in pride he is able to humble.
b. Nebuchadnezzar recognized in Daniel exceptional qualities.
i. Daniel 4:8, "The spirit of the holy gods is in him."
ii. Daniel 4:9, "No mystery is too difficult for you."
iii. Nebuchadnezzar is writing this chapter about his dream and Daniels interpretation of it.
1. Nebuchadnezzar notices Daniel's love for him in Daniel's words, "My Lord, if only the dream applied to your enemies and its meaning to your adversaries". (4:19)
2. We see Daniel's respect of love to his superior. He was not arrogant but sympathetic and Nebuchadnezzar noticed his concern.
3. Daniel influenced Nebuchadnezzar so much that he eventually led him to the Lord - which is shown in this chapter.
4. He was a man committed to the spirit of God and it influenced him and the kings he served. It was so powerful that it led a heathen king to the Lord.
Daniel 6:1-24: 1It pleased Darius to appoint 120 satraps to rule throughout the kingdom, 2with three administrators over them, one of whom was Daniel. The satraps were made accountable to them so that the king might not suffer loss. 3Now 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. 4At 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. 5Finally 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.” 6So the administrators and the satraps went as a group to the king and said: “O King Darius, live forever! 7The royal administrators, prefects, satraps, advisers 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 to you, O king, shall be thrown into the lions’ den. 8Now, O king, issue the decree and put it in writing so that it cannot be altered—in accordance with the laws of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be repealed.” 9So King Darius put the decree in writing.
10Now 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. 11Then these men went as a group and found Daniel praying and asking God for help. 12So they went to the king and spoke to him about his royal decree: “Did you not publish a decree that during the next thirty days anyone who prays to any god or man except to you, O king, would be thrown into the lions’ den?” The king answered, “The decree stands—in accordance with the laws of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be repealed.” 13Then they said to the king, “Daniel, who is one of the exiles from Judah, pays no attention to you, O king, or to the decree you put in writing. He still prays three times a day.” 14When the king heard this, he was greatly distressed; he was determined to rescue Daniel and made every effort until sundown to save him. 15Then the men went as a group to the king and said to him, “Remember, O king, that according to the law of the Medes and Persians no decree or edict that the king issues can be changed.” 16So 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!” 17A stone was brought and placed over the mouth of the den, and the king sealed it with his own signet ring and with the rings of his nobles, so that Daniel’s situation might not be changed. 18Then 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. 19At the first light of dawn, the king got up and hurried to the lions’ den. 20When 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?” 21Daniel answered, “O king, live forever! 22My 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.” 23The 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. 24At 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. Darius also recognized exceptional qualities and a committed spirit in Daniel.
i. Daniel 6:14, "When the king heard this, he was greatly distressed, he was determined to rescue Daniel and made every effort until sundown to save him."
ii. Daniel 6:16, :". . . the king said to Daniel, 'May your God, whom you serve continually, rescue you.'"
1. The satraps could not find any corruption or negligence in Daniel because he was trustworthy, their only charge was that he worshipped God. (Daniel 6:4)
d. VIDEO Illustration: Daniel in the Lions Den
i. From this action, we see that Daniel served his superiors with his whole heart. He had his priorities in order. God was first and man was second.
1. He served his superiors in love and humility. Daniel never hardened his heart under secular rulers. Daniel served the rulers in honesty and in hard work. He honored his rulers with respect.
e. Application:
i. We cannot control our leaders or superiors but we can honor them and influence them by our witness.
ii. God will place us under who he wants us under so that we can minister to them and show them by our attitude who God is.
iii. If you do this, you may be able to win them to the Lord like Daniel did with Nebuchadnezzar.
Conclusion:
Daniel showed the quality of a man with a committed spirit by his actions in difficult life situations.
1. We have learned that as a result of being moral, we can have physical health and vigor. God will increase our wisdom and knowledge as a reward from this, and we will also receive spiritual power from God. In all these blessings from God, it is our responsibility to influence our surroundings.
2. Daniel also showed us that in difficult times, even life and death situations, we can follow his method to deal with the problem.
a. We face the problem with faith in God to solve it.
b. We pray to God personally and ask our friends to pray with us.
c. When we receive the vision, we praise God and let everyone know where the insight came from.
d. We face the situation with God's assurance of victory because He is in control.
e. When we have made it through, we are to remember the source of our victory. Then we are to share the reward with our friends.
3. We also learn to serve our superiors with honesty, loyalty, and hard work. This is so that they may see that God makes a difference in a person's life and we can make a difference.
