Proactively Thankful

Introduction

From an early age we are taught the phrase thank you. Someone gives you something you typically say thank you. In a grocery store line you might say thank you to the cashier. When you receive a gift you might utter the words thank you. Thank you has been curated as this phrase of reception, so much so that it’s challenging to be thankful proactively. When life is challenging, we often times have to be reminded of what it means to be thankful. We take so many things for granted. If you can take a deep breath right now there’s someone on a ventilator that would trade places with you. If you walked in this building this morning there’s some who would trade places with you right now.

Thanksgiving, being thankful, an attitude of gratefulness from a proactive place can help our perspective when we are facing tough trials. In Daniel 65 we are introduced to a young man by the name of Daniel who is not only a leader amongst the people of God but a leader within the political confines of the community.

Daniel 6:1–5 “It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom one hundred and twenty satraps, to be over the whole kingdom; 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. 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. So the governors and satraps sought to find some charge against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find no charge or fault, because he was faithful; nor was there any error or fault found in him. 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.””

Daniel renamed Belteshazzar, meaning God protect his life had quite the reputation for faith and serving God. Daniel and his three friends Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah experienced the trauma of captivity and the furnace only to be saved by God. Often times we can’t seem to figure out why someone is so thankful in life. When you have been through some furnaces and you come out unscathed you find some things to be thankful about.

A Thankful Attitude Can Cause Jealousy

Everyone isn’t supportive of your ability to trust God and be thankful regardless of the circumstance.

Daniel 6:3 “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.”

Daniel 6:5 “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.””

This story is for anyone who has ever had an issue at work.

Jealous of your success

Jealous of your perspective

Jealous because your positive presence brings a sense of joy to the office.

The issue wasn’t Daniel the issue was the fact that he might be promoted and they wanted to kill him. Understand something, sometimes the world doesn’t want a believer in charge. It doesn’t matter how gifted you might be, how much experience you have, how talented you are people don’t like those who walk in light because sometimes you can expose the darkness!

This conspiracy was done in effort to get rid of Daniel, as Christians we should be aware of decisions by political figures that look like they are a benefit but when in all actuality it’s just to further oppress people.

Conspiracy Begins

According to the old Greek the way the decree is written was simply to ask that the King confirm the decree and not change it. This shows up other places in scripture as well. Look at the crooked nature of the politicians they cite the Medes and the Persians nonetheless we also see such decrees in scripture like Esther 8:8 “You yourselves write a decree concerning the Jews, as you please, in the king’s name, and seal it with the king’s signet ring; for whatever is written in the king’s name and sealed with the king’s signet ring no one can revoke.””

This was not foreign at this time but it was basically done because they wanted to get rid of Daniel.

Don’t be surprised at the lengths people are willing to go to ruin your name.

No matter how holy and Christian you are, everyone isn’t happy about that

Even the righteous are condemned

Understand that this was done is such crafty way. Historically it was easy for an escape clause to be written in these laws. Nonetheless by having this marked by the seal of the king the laws in some cases were preserved even after the death of a king.

Thankful From the Jump

Daniel 6:10 “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.”

Daniel was accustomed to being thankful, thanksgiving was a part of his relationship with God. Daniel knew and still prayed. See if we’ll open up a window unto God, he’ll protect us.

The first thing Daniel did was pray.

Daniel’s “open windows!”

Windows looking toward the land of vision, Jerusalem … “home!”

Looking away from worldly Babylon, “strange language” and all!

Looking forward to the coming Kingdom of God, the “real Ruler” of all the earth!

Looking around to all who were observant (even Daniel’s enemies), illustrating the mighty power of God, who truly “delivers” from permanent danger!

Pray more, complain less!

More prayer = more thanksgiving

Daniel always knew where his protection came from! When I know who sustains me and protects me I know who to thank for my well-being - Daniel 6:21 “Then Daniel said to the king, “O king, live forever!”

We Can Change Our Community

Daniel 6:26–27“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. 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.”

Daniel’s faith changed his community forever.