THE VALUE OF INTEGRITY
Daniel 2:13-30
Last week I shared with you on “Holding on to Biblical Integrity” and we talked about how important it is for the child of God to maintain his/her integrity before both the world and before the Lord. If you were here last week, you might remember that I said integrity was essentially “being real”. In other words, whatever you are on Sunday morning, is the same thing you will be on Monday or Tuesday, or any other morning as well. This reminds me of a story of a new minister who had just arrived in town to pastor a church. He had yet to unpack when he was approached by a family who had suffered the death of the father. They wanted this minister to conduct the funeral, unbeknown to the minister, this man was rather a wicked man with a jaded past. The minister, as he preached the service, became carried away by the occasion, as well as wanting to make an impression upon his new community, poured on praise for the departed man. After ten minutes of describing the late lamented as a good father, husband, and boss, the widow, whose expression had grown more and more puzzled, nudged her son and whispered quietly to him: "Go up there, look in the casket, and make sure it’s your father that’s there." Something wasn’t adding up. Let me ask you a question, “Is your life adding up to who you say you are?” Do you have integrity?
($20 bill illustration: ask, “Who would like this $20 bill?” Then crumple it up, step on it, roll it around and then hold it up again and ask, “Who still wants this $20 bill?”) The value remains no matter what the item looks like n the outside – no matter how scarred, bruised or beaten, the value is still the same. That is integrity. Integrity is important, especially in the times in which we live, if we expect to stay godly in an ungodly world.
Here in Daniel chapter two, Daniel’s integrity shines through the chaos surrounding all the other wise men of Babylon. Nebuchadnezzar the king had dreamed a dream which according to scripture disturbed him and troubled his sleep. This dream so troubled Nebuchadnezzar that he called in four groups of Babylonian wisemen. These four groups show just how much Satan controlled Babylon. They were the magicians, the astrologers, the sorcerers, and the Chaldeans. The magicians were those who were well versed in the knowledge of the occult. The Hebrew word is "chartom" {khar-tome’} and it means an engraver or inscriber. Their position was similar to that of the scribes of the Torah. They preserved the ancient arts of the occult by inscribing the knowledge down. The next group mentioned was the astrologers. They were the ones that studied the stars to predict future events. They also were called conjurers. The Hebrew referred to them as the "ashshaph" {ash-shawf’}. Not only did they study the stars, they also practiced the art of necromancy, which was the study of dead bodies as well as the examination of the intestines of slain animals. The next group was that of the sorcerers, or the "kashaph" {kaw-shaf’}. They practiced witchcraft through the use of familiar spirits (demons). The final group was the Chaldeans. The Hebrew refers to them as the "Kasdiy" {kas-dee’} those persons considered the wisest in the land (by extension). They were a special class of wise men, considered to be the wisest of the wise. They were usually associated with the priests of Babylon and were so prominent, that eventually the entire nation was called the Chaldeans, after their fame. Almost all of these groups were involved in the worship of idols (demons) involving in some cases human sacrifice. Daniel was truly in an ungodly world.
The king had dreamed a dream and called the wise men in and he gave them a strange request, to not only interpret the dream, but to also recall the dream, since he could no longer remember it. This brought howls of protests from these four groups, notice what they said in verse 10, “The Chaldeans answered before the king, and said, There is not a man upon the earth that can shew the king’s matter: therefore there is no king, lord, nor ruler, that asked such things at any magician, or astrologer, or Chaldean.” Nebuchadnezzar had accused them of forming lying words to gain time and now we see again the evidence of his fierce anger, he orders all the wise men of the realm to be killed. Daniel and his three friends were all grouped into this category as well. Daniel went to Arioch, the captain of the king’s guard, and found out what was going on and he asked for time to make the interpretation known to the king. Here was Daniel, facing a life and death crisis, but he is totally calm. I want to show you this morning, three advantages of walking in integrity from the life of Daniel. These advantages are found in maintaining a proper relationship with God.
I. DANIEL WAS COMPOSED IN CRISIS.
1. Several years ago, George Strait, the famous country and western singer, sung a song entitled, “Let’s fall to pieces together”. The song was about a man and a woman, whose lovers had jilted them, meeting together in a bar and deciding to drown their sorrows together. While I was living in Montana, a man from my church gave me a tape with a song that a Christian performer had written and performed as a play on the song by George Strait, and the title of that song says a lot about the Christian life. It was entitled, “We don’t have to fall to pieces.”
2. The magicians and sorcerers of Babylon were falling apart, chaos is reigning in Nebuchadnezzar’s court, you would think that Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah would be looking for a hiding place, or packing their bags, hoping to make some type of escape, but notice what Daniel does, instead of hiding from the king’s men, he goes to them. He’s not falling to pieces but he is composed in crisis.
Proverbs 28:1 The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion.
3. With integrity in your life, with a right relationship with God, you don’t have to fall to pieces when the world around you is falling to pieces. Solomon said that the righteous (those with a right relationship with God) are bold. They’re not fearful, they’re not afraid, but they are bold as a lion. While the best Babylon had to offer was falling apart, it was Daniel’s moment to shine. Crisis may well be God’s doing to allow you to shine and reflect the glory of God.
4. Just imagine if it were you, what would your reaction be? Nebuchadnezzar was king, his word was command in Babylon and the king has decreed that you should die. Daniel had integrity, he was in a right relationship with God and thus he keeps his composure. When you have integrity, a right relationship with God there are several reasons why you don’t have to fall to pieces.
Proverbs 28:1 The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion.
A. Daniel was reliant upon God’s knowledge.
5. The wise men had answered the king in verse 10 and told him that there was not a man on earth that could grant the king’s request. As ungodly as they might have been, here they told the truth. No human has that kind of knowledge. I believe even Daniel would have agreed with them in this point, but there is a God in heaven that does have that kind of knowledge. Daniel 2:28 But there is a God in heaven that revealeth secrets,
6. Daniel knew that God knew what was going to happen and Daniel knew that God certainly knew the dream, he was fully reliant upon God’s knowledge.
7. Friend, I wish I could tell you this morning what is going to happen with Sadam Hussain and the crisis we are facing in the middle east, but there is a God that knows, I wish I could tell you what is going to happen with America’s economy, but there is a God in heaven that knows. I said this just a could of weeks ago, I don’t know what 2003 holds for either you or me, but there is a God in heaven that knows and I fully believe He is going to keep His hand upon His children, those who walk in integrity, even during the most difficult times. Listen to me, nothing takes God by surprise or takes Him unaware. Even the most difficult times come through the knowledge of almighty God, He’s not taken by surprise by it and if He knows about it, He also knows where His children are in the storm as well. Daniel didn’t try to figure things out on his own, he was reliant upon God’s knowledge. Daniel knew God and knew that God knew.
B. Daniel was resting in God’s power.
8. Nebuchadnezzar had made the decree to kill all the wise men, but there was a greater than Nebuchadnezzar that Daniel was looking to. Listen to Daniel’s hymn of praise after God had revealed to him the dream.
Daniel 2:20 Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are his: 21 And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding:
9. The CEV translates verse 20 as Our God, your name will be praised forever and forever. You are all-powerful, and you know everything.
10. Nebuchadnezzar, for all of his buster, was not all powerful, he wasn’t even close. For all of Nebuchadnezzar’s boasting, he could not change the times and seasons. Two o’clock in the day was still two o’clock, you might call it something else, but the sun dial (method of telling time) would still read two o’clock. The king couldn’t change that. Nebuchadnezzar could not change the sun, but there was a God in heaven that could and did. He caused the sun to stand still while Joshua and Israel fought their enemies. When Hezekiah asked for a sign of his healing, God gave him one.
Isaiah 38:8 Behold, I will bring again the shadow of the degrees, which is gone down in the sun dial of Ahaz, ten degrees backward. So the sun returned ten degrees, by which degrees it was gone down. God reached out His hand, grabbed hold of the sun, and rotated that thing backward for 10 degrees. I don’t know what is meant by 10 degrees, some scholars think it may have been as much as a half a day, but whatever it was, it was noticed. It was even noticed by Babylon who sent envoys or massagers to Hezekiah to find out what happened.
(Isaiah 39:1; 2 Kings 20:12). If Nebuchadnezzar had wanted to, he could have searched the royal archives and found evidence that there was a God in heaven Who could do what he couldn’t. Daniel said that God was One Who sets (establishes) kings and removes kings. He was resting in God’s power for he knew that Nebuchadnezzar wasn’t the one in control, but God was. Listen, you don’t have to fall to pieces when you know God is in control.
“There is no attribute more comforting to His children than that of God’s sovereignty. Under the most adverse circumstances, in the most severe trials, they believe that sovereignty has ordained their afflictions, that sovereignty overrules them, and that sovereignty will sanctify them all. There is nothing for which the children ought to more earnestly contend to than the doctrine of their Master over all creation--the Kingship of God over all the works of His own hands--the Throne of God and His right to sit upon that throne...for it is God upon the Throne whom we trust.” Charles Haddon Spurgeon.
C. He was reassured by God’s peace.
1. I want you to note the differences in these two verses.
Isaiah 57:21 There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked.
Psalm 85:8 I will hear what God the LORD will speak: for he will speak peace unto his people, and to his saints:
2. To those without integrity, to those without a relationship with God, there is no peace. Listen to what else Isaiah said.
Isaiah 57:20 But the wicked are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt.
I’ve been to Florida many times, but I’ve never been in a boat/ship on the ocean.
But I know sailors fear a troubled sea. The waters are agitated, and all the mulch and mire are stirred up from the bottom. The sea is always in motion, and never entirely calm. Often also it lashes into foam, and heaves with wild commotion.
The Hebrew is actually render as this, ‘For it never can be at rest.’ The Hebrew is stronger than our translation. It means that there is no possibility of its being at rest.
Philippians 4:7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
3. Daniel didn’t fall to pieces, but rather he rested, he was reassured by God’s peace. He was composed in crisis. Let me close this morning with the words from one of the great hymn writers of the church, Charles Wesley.
I rest beneath the Almighty’s shade,
My griefs expire, my troubles cease;
Thou, Lord, on whom my soul is stayed,
Wilt keep me still in perfect peace.
II. DANIEL WAS CONFIDENT IN PRAYER.
Psalm 34:15 The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry.
1. Here in this chapter, the language switches from Hebrew to Aramaic. Notice in verse 17-18 what Daniel does. He goes to Hananiah, Mishael, and Azaraih and the Bible says he made know to them what was happening. Then the Bible says, “That they would desire mercies of the God of heaven concerning this secret”. It is interesting to note that the Aramaic word for desire means to ask.
2. Simply put, Daniel and his three friends prayed and sought God. We all know how important prayer is before the Lord.
3. However, when you walk in integrity, when you are righteous before the Lord, God hears. As David said, “His ears are open unto their cry”. This means for the righteous, God hears their prayer.
4. Unrighteousness robs prayer of it’s power.
Proverbs 15:29 The LORD is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous.
5. Did you hear what the psalmist said, “God is far from the wicked.” They are not comforted by His presence, and God does not hear their cry.
6. Many of you have heard of Norman Vincent Peale, the founder and first editor of Guideposts. When Peale was a boy, he found a big, black cigar, slipped into an alley, and lit up. It didn’t taste good, but it made him feel very grown up. . . until he saw his father coming. Knowing his father would be displeased, he quickly he put the cigar behind his back and tried to be casual. Desperate to divert his father’s attention, Norman pointed to a billboard advertising the circus.
"Can I go, Dad? Please, let’s go when it comes to town."
His father’s reply taught Norman a lesson he never forgot. "Son, he answered quietly but firmly, "never make a petition while at the same time trying to hide a smoldering disobedience."
Isaiah 59:2 But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.
7. However, those with integrity have confidence in their prayer life. They know that the effectual, fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
8. Because of Daniel’s relationship with God, because he was a man of integrity, because he was living godly in an ungodly world, he had no fear of taking his need before the Lord in prayer.
9. When the world around you is falling apart, you don’t have to fall apart, you can carry your needs before the Lord, having confidence in prayer.
III. DANIEL WAS CAREFUL IN SUCCESS.
1. Here is where most people lose their integrity. Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah had success in prayer. They prayed and God sent the answer, by night, Daniel received the dream and the interpretation of it. When he appeared before Nebuchadnezzar, notice he was careful to give God the praise.
Daniel 2:27 Daniel answered in the presence of the king, and said, The secret which the king hath demanded cannot the wise men, the astrologers, the magicians, the soothsayers, shew unto the king; 28 But there is a God in heaven that revealeth secrets, and maketh known to the king Nebuchadnezzar what shall be in the latter days.
2. Many people would have marched in and told the king, O king, look at how smart I am, look at how intelligent I am, for I have the answer. I done this and I’ve done that. But not Daniel, he was careful to give the credit to God.
3. Integrity is often tested more and more clearly seen in times of success than that of difficulty. I have seen a lot of people come through difficult times seemingly okay, but fail God and fail Him miserably during times of success.
4. What is interesting to note about Daniel is that he did not let success change his relationship with God. Here in chapter two, God gets the glory. Through out Daniel’s life, God came first, just as I mentioned last week, for over 70 years, Daniel lived in Babylon, under several kings, often enjoying power and prestige unknown by others, even to the point of being promoted to being over all the providences of Babylon, making him an extremely powerful and successful man. Yet through all of this, God was still first in his life, he constantly maintained his integrity before the Lord. Remember this verse from last week.
Daniel 1:21 And Daniel continued even unto the first year of king Cyrus
5. Daniel did not change, times may have changed around him, but he did not change, his circumstances changed, but he did not change. Daniel was a prisoner of Babylon, but he still maintained his integrity before the Lord, Daniel was over the entire nation of Babylon, but he still maintained his integrity before the Lord, he was essentially forgotten about under the rule of Belshazzar, Nebuchadnezzar’s grandson, but he still maintained his integrity before the Lord, the Medes and Persians came to power, and Daniel maintained his integrity before the Lord, he was promoted again to prominence under the rule of Darius the king, and he still maintained his integrity before the Lord. Success nor adversity changed Daniel’s relationship with God.
