Daniel 2:17-19 Then Daniel went to his house, and made the decision known to Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, his companions, 18 that they might seek mercies from the God of heaven concerning this secret, so that Daniel and his companions might not perish with the rest of the wise men of Babylon. 19 Then the secret was revealed to Daniel in a night vision. So Daniel blessed the God of heaven.
Last week the optimal word was "purposed" as Daniel purposed in his heart … committed himself not to be defiled.
This week we see the optimal word is "sought" … Daniel sought (seek) the mercies of God.
SOUGHT: to desire earnestly; to inquire, ask (seek: to go toward)
1. Daring Not to Seek Mercies Leaves You at the Mercy of Man
· King Nebuchadnezzar had troubling dreams. (cf. v.3)
· He seeks the revealing and interpretation of the dream.
· They seek to hear the dream first and then give some sort of interpretation.
Sort of like calling the "Psychic" hotline … they can’t tell you your name without you telling them … but they want to tell you your future for $9.95 a minute!
· Nebuchadnezzar refuses to tell them the dream and threatened them with death if they could not tell both dream and interpretation! (cf. v.5)
· They basically tell King Nebuchadnezzar that he is asking the "impossible!" … translates … "You’re crazy! No one can do that!" (cf. v.10-11)
Daniel 2:11 "It is a difficult thing that the king requests, and there is no other who can tell it to the king except the gods, whose dwelling is not with flesh."
· God dwelling among us in the flesh makes all things possible!
Mark 10:27 But Jesus looked at them and said, "With men it is impossible, but not with God; for with God all things are possible."
John 1:14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.
· Nebuchadnezzar become angry at their answer and gave the command that all "wise men" of Babylon be killed. (cf. v.12-13)
· The situation Daniel found himself in seems most unfair … as the ruling authorities were pushing their weight around.
· Life sometimes just dumps on us … doing nothing to deserve the treatment received.
· But rather than despair … Daniel chose to seek the mercies of God than to be left at the mercies of man.
· How about you?
2. Daring to Seek the Mercies Leaves You at the Mercy of God
"When your passion upon getting up each morning is to say, ’How can I make God look good today?’; when the passion of your life is to someday open your eyes in eternity and hear Jesus say, ’Well done My good and faithful servant’, when that becomes the consuming passion of your existence3, it absolutely transforms your everyday experience." - Tony Evans
The world is a stage … with the scenes of life being played out upon it. Do we dare seek the applause of the world ... or the mercies of God?
From all appearances Daniel and friends were in deep trouble!
· Make note that Daniel was not among the magicians, the astrologers, the sorcerers … he kept himself undefiled.
· They sought Daniel and Daniel sought the Lord. (cf. v.13)
· Daniel was not excited, but calm with counsel and wisdom. (cf. v.14)
· In all the commotion of the day … Daniel "dared" to "seek" the mercies of God … 18 that they might seek mercies from the God of heaven …
· Mercies declare God as Faithful
Psalms 89:1-2 I will sing of the mercies of the LORD forever; With my mouth will I make known Your faithfulness to all generations. 2 For I have said, "Mercy shall be built up forever; Your faithfulness You shall establish in the very heavens."
· God’s faithfulness mixed with His mercy are endless.
· Mercies declare God as Deliverer
Lamentations 3:22-23 Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not. 23 They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.
· Circumstances are not consume us … because God’s mercies never fail to reach us in our time of need.
· Mercies declare God as Life
Psalms 119:77 Let Your tender mercies come to me, that I may live; For Your law is my delight.
· In our lifeless situations … God through His mercies breath life into us.
God’s mercies are "manifold" (cf. Neh 9:19) (many) … to meet our every need, desire, to help heal every hurt and to lead us in all confusion.
Daring to seek the mercies is seeking God!
Daniel 2:19 Then the secret was revealed to Daniel in a night vision. So Daniel blessed the God of heaven.
· God declares His mercies to us as our … "Faithful Deliverer of Life."
"Some of God’s attributes are too wonderful to understand. But even if they remain darkness to the intellect, let them be sunshine for your soul." - Author Unknown
Application:
1. What is troubling you to the point of anxiousness?
2. Who and what are you seeking for the answer?
Philippians 4:6-7 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
· Are you looking for an answer to the life dilemma you are facing?
· Then look to the mercies of God who reveals Himself and the answer to your life’s dilemma! (cf. v.20-23)
Daniel 2:20-21 Daniel answered and said: "Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, For wisdom and might are His. 21 And He changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and raises up kings; He gives wisdom to the wise And knowledge to those who have understanding.
Daniel was a daring sort of person … one who dared not to defile and one who dared to seek the mercies of God. Are you?
Amen!
This sermon was preached by Robert AuBuchon at Trinity Baptist Church in 2001. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
