Heavenly Living in Hostage Times Daniel 6

Introduction

If there were any incident in the Bible that was associated with the book of Daniel, the scene that sticks out more than any other scene is Daniel in the “lion’s den.”

Let’s get into it.

Daniel 6:1-5

Daniel 6:1–5 NKJV

1 It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom one hundred and twenty satraps, to be over the whole kingdom; 2 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. 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. 4 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. 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.”

Prayer

Message

God Honors Faithfulness

In Chapter 6 tonight as we have been on a spiritual pilgrimage through the book of Daniel, consider that Daniel 6 is the crest of the mountain.

The Preacher’s Commentary Series, Volume 21: Daniel Scripture Outline

This event took place in the days of “Darius the Mede” (5:31). This in itself is intended to be an indication of the message of the chapter and indeed of the entire book. Another king comes with another kingdom; kingdoms rise and fall but Daniel, the symbol of the kingdom of God, remains. He has seen Nebuchadnezzar and Belshazzar come and go. Now Darius the Mede has arrived, and Daniel is still serving the King of kings.

Hebrews 13:8 “8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.”

Let’s remember the title of this study.

“Heavenly Living in Chaotic Times.”

Sunday night’s new study “Love in Chaos”

What offers us such great hope is that when the tides of life are high and tumultuous or the seas are still as glass, God is always there. He prevails whether we find ourselves in the storms of life or the stillness of life. Amen?

Daniel 5:30–31 NKJV

30 That very night Belshazzar, king of the Chaldeans, was slain. 31 And Darius the Mede received the kingdom, being about sixty-two years old.

Kings came and Kings went. Nebuchadnezzar, Belshazzar, and now Darius, yet Daniel stood as representation of the solidarity of God.

Point #1 tonight. God honors faithfulness.

Daniel understood that serving his employer, his earthly leader that God honors when we live each day by the dictates of His Word.

Let’s look how Daniel was blessed.

120 Satraps

The International Standard Bible Encyclopaedia, Volumes 1–5 Satraps

SATRAPS, sā′traps, sat′raps (אֲחַשְׁדּרְפְּנִים, ’ăḥashdarpenīm, Ezr 8:36; Est 3:12; 8:9; 9:3, AV “lieutenants”; Dnl 3:2, 3, 27; 6:1 ff, AV “princes”): The viceroys or vassal rulers to whom was intrusted the government of the provinces in the Pers empire. The word answers to the Old Pers khshathrapāvan, “protectors of the realm.”

Esther 3:12 “12 Then the king’s scribes were called on the thirteenth day of the first month, and a decree was written according to all that Haman commanded—to the king’s satraps, to the governors who were over each province, to the officials of all people, to every province according to its script, and to every people in their language. In the name of King Ahasuerus it was written, and sealed with the king’s signet ring.”

3 Governors

• A Governor — A ruler of a region, city, or town.

OT

• Amon (governor) — Governor of the city of Samaria during Ahab’s reign in Israel.

• Joshua (governor) — Governor of Jerusalem during the reign of King Josiah.

• Quirinius — The Roman governor of Syria at the time of Jesus’ birth.

• Festus — Who succeeded Felix as governor, and sent Paul’s case to Rome.

• Felix — A governor in Caesarea who heard Paul’s case.

• Pilate — A Roman governor of Judea who authorized Jesus’ crucifixion.

Daniel held one of the three gubernatorial positions in the Medes-Persian Empire. Quite a feat.

Note that of the 120 Satraps reported to the Governors. I do not know if that meant any of the 120 reported to Daniel or if 40 were assigned to each Governor.

-All in all. Daniel had risen to a number 2 position in rank in the Medes-Persian Empire. .

Isn’t it interesting that some of the great heroes of the Bible rose to the rank of #2 in the Bible. Why is that?

Joseph

Moses shared a role as he was in Egypt. He shared a role with Aaron.

Joshua and Caleb were under Moses in their importance, Joshua was able to cross the Jordan. Moses was comfortable with God’s decision in that.

Abraham was the patriarch, yet he gave Lot the choice land. He took the back seat.

David had a period that he fell under Saul. David became like a brother to Jonathan, but yet there was Saul for a time period.

David was humbled by the words of Nathan the prophet and took his medicine even though he was King.

Why are there so many stories in the word of God about backseat positions?

Why are there these examples that the Lord chooses to exploit the stories of people that rose to the rank of #2 ? or had times in their leadership they humbled or succumbed to a greater authority?

You are only as good a leader for the Lord as you are a follower of God.

V. 3 “Then this Daniel distinguished himself above the governors and the satraps.”

“The king gave thought to setting him over the whole realm.”

Why?

An excellent spirit was in him.

they could find no fault or charge against him. Daniel was a man of integrity.

Integrity-in all which places it seems to carry the meaning of simplicity, or sincerity of heart and intention, truthfulness, uprightness.

Job 2:3 “3 Then the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered My servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil? And still he holds fast to his integrity, although you incited Me against him, to destroy him without cause.””

Job 2:9 “9 Then his wife said to him, “Do you still hold fast to your integrity? Curse God and die!””

Please say this statement with me:

You will never go wrong doing right.

Proverbs 11:3 “3 The integrity of the upright will guide them, But the perversity of the unfaithful will destroy them.”

“Because he was faithful”

I like when someone says, “you can take it to the bank with that person.” “You can count on them.” “They are solid as a rock.”

“nor was there any error or fault found in him”

This does not mean that Daniel was without sin. We have all sinned. It means he had no marks against him in the public eye. He never created struggles at the office water fountain. He was not one that kept conflicts going.

He was reputable man.

Daniel 5:12 “12 Inasmuch as an excellent spirit, knowledge, understanding, interpreting dreams, solving riddles, and explaining enigmas were found in this Daniel, whom the king named Belteshazzar, now let Daniel be called, and he will give the interpretation.””

The Lord gave Daniel many gifts, talents and abilities.

People like Joseph and Daniel are examples of men that took the gifts, the talents and multiplied them for His use and God honored them.

Story of using our talents.

Matthew 25:29 “29 ‘For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away.”

-Use it or lose it.

I want to be very pointed tonight. If you serve this church vocationally, are you doing the very best job you are capable of?

Would the Lord be proud of the job you are doing?

Why do I ask that question?

You do not work for this Pastor, You are not employed by the Finance Committee nor the Deacon body of this church. You work for the greatest employer in this world, you work for the Lord.

Would he say, “well done they good and faithful servant.”

Dearly beloved, I do not care how high your rank is in the secular world. I do not care if you are self employed, you are the boss or you are an owner, all of us fall under the authority of the Lord.

Now, tonight, we get a great lesson in the Sovereignty of God, His authority. At the end of the day and at the beginning of tomorrow, He is the Boss.

The attitude or question can always be asked or conveyed, Why did he or she get the promotion when I worked harder than the other person? If my boss only knows what that person does when their head is turned.

That brings me to my second point.

You can be Victimized in Your Innocence V. 4

Daniel 6:4 “4 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.”

Dearly beloved, I want to be forthright with you tonight. I am sickened of the day we live in that people have an entitlement attitude. This life owes me something.

What you and I are entitled to is a one way trip to hell. But in God’s great mercy, thank the Lord He chose to pursue a love relationship with us and we are gloriously saved, amen.

Do you know there is someone else that was a victim or circumstance.

Luke 23:4 “4 So Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowd, “I find no fault in this Man.””

Another Governor that thought He was in control said these comments on three different occasions in John’s gospel:

John 18:38 “38 Pilate said to Him, “What is truth?” And when he had said this, he went out again to the Jews, and said to them, “I find no fault in Him at all.””

John 19:4 “4 Pilate then went out again, and said to them, “Behold, I am bringing Him out to you, that you may know that I find no fault in Him.””

John 19:6 “6 Therefore, when the chief priests and officers saw Him, they cried out, saying, “Crucify Him, crucify Him!” Pilate said to them, “You take Him and crucify Him, for I find no fault in Him.””

Praise God that Jesus never belly ached “entitlement” for His journey. He could have said, I am God, I am the Son of God, I am without sin, Lord, why is this happening to me. Not once.

Then how in the world can we live in this life thinking that this world owes us something.

We are to be found faithful. Yes, we live in a world of fallen man and sin and there is unfairness everyday. But God in His great mercy chooses to honor those that are found faithful to Him. Choice. yes. It’s His choice ultimately. But because He is God and we understand the sovereignty of God, may we be found thankful those times He chooses to bless us. Amen?

Now, pray tell that not only can you find any reason in these first three verses, or skipping to the 5th verse can you give any explanation to why they had it out for Daniel.

Daniel 2:24 “24 Therefore Daniel went to Arioch, whom the king had appointed to destroy the wise men of Babylon. He went and said thus to him: “Do not destroy the wise men of Babylon; take me before the king, and I will tell the king the interpretation.””

There was no reason except that man is carnal and sinful. Mankind has agendas, self missions, malice, greed, jealousy and the list goes on. There are no reasons that these leaders should have had the attitude against Daniel that they had other than mankind is sinful and fallen.

Note that even Darius knew the state of mankind by his decision in verse 2.

Read 2 closely.

Daniel 6:2 “2 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.”

Your chances with the number three is it is difficult to pull off a conspiracy with an odd number and he stated why, “so that the king would suffer no loss.

All of these leaders had an agenda, the King had an agenda, and Daniel had one agenda, to serve the Lord.

If any of us are ever accused of having an agenda, may we all pleas tonight that is our agenda. You call me out. You are right. I have an agenda. My agenda is to serve the Lord faithfully.

Daniel 6:6–9 NKJV

6 So these governors and satraps thronged before the king, and said thus to him: “King Darius, live forever! 7 All the governors of the kingdom, the administrators and satraps, the counselors and advisors, have consulted together to establish a royal statute and to make a firm decree, that whoever petitions any god or man for thirty days, except you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions. 8 Now, O king, establish the decree and sign the writing, so that it cannot be changed, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which does not alter.” 9 Therefore King Darius signed the written decree.

Satanic Influence Can be Creative in its Influence VV. 6-9

John 8:44 “44 You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.”

When you see something that you can pick up there are ulterior motives, note that the Father of lies is at work.

Let’s go back for a moment to the garden experience with Adam & Eve.

Genesis 3:1–4 NKJV

1 Now the serpent was more cunning than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said to the woman, “Has God indeed said, ‘You shall not eat of every tree of the garden’?” 2 And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat the fruit of the trees of the garden; 3 but of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God has said, ‘You shall not eat it, nor shall you touch it, lest you die.’ ” 4 Then the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die.

“Has God indeed said, You shall not eat of every tree of the garden?” That question alone was the birth of muddled truth today. In other words, someone’s truth today is their truth, not absolute truth. Satan is cunning the Scripture states.

And we live in a world where his cunning influence is at work.

Why do I say that in this case?

“So the governors and satraps thronged before the king.”

Thronged is a strong word.

Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Thesaurus (thronged)

thronged adjective

synonyms ALIVE 5, abounding, overflowing, replete, rife, swarming, teeming

related words crawling

Let’s read verses 6 & 7 slowly and closely:

Daniel 6:6–7 (NKJV)

6 So these governors and satraps thronged before the king, and said thus to him: “King Darius, live forever! 7 All the governors of the kingdom, the administrators and satraps, the counselors and advisors, have consulted together to establish a royal statute and to make a firm decree, that whoever petitions any god or man for thirty days, except you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions.

I want to ask you an important question. Who do you consult with when you sense something may be striking you in a carnal way? We all know there are times that something is said to us, an action is taken toward us, there is something stated that does not set well with us. The question I have for you that is important.

When you get in a funk. Do you consult with someone of great faith or do you consult with another individual in the same funk?

Let me ask you to make an observation here. If these men were so quick to see a man die that was so innocent to bring him to a death in the lion’s den, do you believe these men really had some great loyalty to King Darius or they were more concerned about their own selfish welfare of position and power?

They consulted with each other who were all in a deviant mindset that drove them to deviant action.

Let’s look where Daniel went.

Daniel 6:10–11 “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. 11 Then these men assembled and found Daniel praying and making supplication before his God.”

I remind you that earlier in Daniel that Daniel and his buddies teamed up in prayer-Shadrach, Meshach, and Abidnego.

The Bible talks about our secret places. God heres our prayers in our secret, private places.

Matthew 6:6 “6 But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.”

Luke 6:12 “12 Now it came to pass in those days that He went out to the mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.”

Luke 5:16 “16 So He Himself often withdrew into the wilderness and prayed.”

Luke 22:40–44 “40 When He came to the place, He said to them, “Pray that you may not enter into temptation.” 41 And He was withdrawn from them about a stone’s throw, and He knelt down and prayed, 42 saying, “Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.” 43 Then an angel appeared to Him from heaven, strengthening Him. 44 And being in agony, He prayed more earnestly. Then His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.”

Jesus Himself is God. Jesus was equal in the trinity of God. Yet, Jesus Himself chose to humble Himself to His heavenly Father and counsel with Him and the Holy Spirit in prayer.

Jesus being #1 sets the example of being a great leader we must be a good follower.

Philippians 2:5–11 NKJV

5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. 9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Our points tonight:

God honors faithfulness

WE can not be a great leader until we learn to be a great follower.

Jesus is our ultimate example in that while He is God, He humbled Himself to the counsel of the Heavenly Father and the Holy Spirit and conformed to the desire of His heavenly Father.

Will you at times be victimized in your innocence. We can call that persecuted. Everything we get is grace. What we deserve is eternal punishment, but God in His great mercy chose to save us.

WE should not have an attitude of entitlement.

When you sense an action, a word, a decision is carrying you in the wrong direction carnally, choose carefully who you consult with to wade you through the storm.

Daniel chose to talk to the author and finisher of His faith.

Who do you talk to?

Let’s pray.