Heavenly Living in Hostage Times Daniel 6 Continued

Introduction

I remind you that Daniel 6 is the story of Daniel and the Lion’s Den. Thus far, we have not read to the point of that great scene in the Word of God due to the richness of study leading up to that point in the story and the same holds true tonight.

Turn in your Bibles to Daniel 6:10-17.

Daniel 6:10-17

Daniel 6:10–17 NKJV

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. 12 And they went before the king, and spoke concerning the king’s decree: “Have you not signed a decree that every man who petitions any god or man within thirty days, except you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions?” The king answered and said, “The thing is true, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which does not alter.” 13 So they answered and said before the king, “That Daniel, who is one of the captives from Judah, does not show due regard for you, O king, or for the decree that you have signed, but makes his petition three times a day.” 14 And the king, when he heard these words, was greatly displeased with himself, and set his heart on Daniel to deliver him; and he labored till the going down of the sun to deliver him. 15 Then these men approached the king, and said to the king, “Know, O king, that it is the law of the Medes and Persians that no decree or statute which the king establishes may be changed.” 16 So the king gave the command, and they brought Daniel and cast him into the den of lions. But the king spoke, saying to Daniel, “Your God, whom you serve continually, He will deliver you.” 17 Then a stone was brought and laid on the mouth of the den, and the king sealed it with his own signet ring and with the signets of his lords, that the purpose concerning Daniel might not be changed.

The Importance of the Spiritual Disciplines VV. 10-11

I have a tremendous appreciation for those that exercise disciplines. And oh that we were all challenged to be disciplined in certain areas of our lives.

In verse 10, Daniel “knew” the writing had been signed by King Darius. He knew the seriousness of a violation of that decree, but note closely some details that the scriptures teach us.

He went home “as was his custom.”

I appreciate those that exercise certain mental disciplines. There is great benefit to reading, exercising your mind, reading fiction, non-fiction, the news, playing Scrabble, Sudoku, etc. It is a great thing to exercise our minds. Always attempting to learn something new as staying up with computers for example.

Furthermore, I appreciate those that maintain certain physical disciplines. I have a brother in law that is in his 70’s and he rides his bike 50 miles per day 7 days a week. He is in great shape. The discipline of diet, the discipline of financial management, and the list goes on. Do you admire those that are disciplined?

And dearly beloved, how important that we are spiritual disciplined.

Bible Reading, Bible Study, Bible verse memorization, Prayer, Generosity-charity, Fellowship, Fasting, Journaling, Meditation.

Daniel practiced spiritual disciplines. Specifically tonight we read of his spiritual discipline of prayer.

“as was his custom since his early days.”

As we think about this spiritual discipline that sustained Daniel for what was to come. What was his secret? What can we take from Daniel to have a vibrant prayer life?

Psalm 5:7 NKJV

7 But as for me, I will come into Your house in the multitude of Your mercy; In fear of You I will worship toward Your holy temple.

Daniel had a focused place

1 Kings 8:29–30 “29 that Your eyes may be open toward this temple night and day, toward the place of which You said, ‘My name shall be there,’ that You may hear the prayer which Your servant makes toward this place. 30 And may You hear the supplication of Your servant and of Your people Israel, when they pray toward this place. Hear in heaven Your dwelling place; and when You hear, forgive.”

-playing the radio, background music, in front of the computer, with your cellphone close at hand.

Daniel had a secret & secure place to get with God.

Daniel prayed in his home. his home was private and His home was comfortable and secure.

Matthew 6:6 NKJV

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.

Daniel had a set period to get with God

He knelt three times a day and prayed. There was a consistency to his prayer life. The first thing we may think is the God timing that Daniel was caught praying in supplication to Jehovah God when the men.

Daniel 6:11 NKJV

11 Then these men assembled and found Daniel praying and making supplication before his God.

You might say- interesting that is, God is an on time God and He is, but Daniel was disciplined in that his prior habits also affected the timing of when these men came and caught him in the act.

Daniel was in an upper room on his knees. Daniel was not readily able to be seen but they were looking for him to catch him in the act. They knew Daniel’s past and they knew that if they were nosy and looked for him, they would find him.

The Importance of Sound Decisions V. 12

Daniel 6:12 “12 And they went before the king, and spoke concerning the king’s decree: “Have you not signed a decree that every man who petitions any god or man within thirty days, except you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions?” The king answered and said, “The thing is true, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which does not alter.””

King Darius did not think of the ramifications of his decisions. We learn that it is not best when the majority rule our decisions, but the Master of our lives, the Lord rules our decisions.

Acts 16:16–24 NKJV

16 Now it happened, as we went to prayer, that a certain slave girl possessed with a spirit of divination met us, who brought her masters much profit by fortune-telling. 17 This girl followed Paul and us, and cried out, saying, “These men are the servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to us the way of salvation.” 18 And this she did for many days. But Paul, greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” And he came out that very hour. 19 But when her masters saw that their hope of profit was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace to the authorities. 20 And they brought them to the magistrates, and said, “These men, being Jews, exceedingly trouble our city; 21 and they teach customs which are not lawful for us, being Romans, to receive or observe.” 22 Then the multitude rose up together against them; and the magistrates tore off their clothes and commanded them to be beaten with rods. 23 And when they had laid many stripes on them, they threw them into prison, commanding the jailer to keep them securely. 24 Having received such a charge, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks.

There will be times we face decisions that are motivated by a popular influence, but we are to make decisions based on principal not popular influence.

The Importance of Sorrowful Displeasure with our Actions V. 14

Daniel 6:14 “14 And the king, when he heard these words, was greatly displeased with himself, and set his heart on Daniel to deliver him; and he labored till the going down of the sun to deliver him.”

Darius is to be admired here and we can learn a great trait from King Darius.

Darius was displeased with Darius. Are you one that always passes the buck and blame shifts for every thing that has happened in your life or for every wrong you have ever committed? Is it everyone’s fault but yours?

Speaking of unpopular today, it is a rare sight today to see people to own up to their mistakes. If you learn to do this you will find it very liberating to be transparent and simply say, “I made a mistake, I messed up. Please forgive me. I am so sorry. I made a poor choice there.”

The beginnings of positive direction is realizing the direction you are heading is wrong.

“set his heart on Daniel to deliver him”.

We all know that God rescued Daniel from that lion’s den, but I have to think that once Daniel’s heart was made right and he saw the err of his ways and he was determined to do right, God helped him right his wrong in the process.

The Importance of Sold Out Dependence on God V. 16

Daniel 6:16 “16 So the king gave the command, and they brought Daniel and cast him into the den of lions. But the king spoke, saying to Daniel, “Your God, whom you serve continually, He will deliver you.””

Are your spiritual disciplines making a difference in the lives of others? Brother Luke, what does that have to do with the price of tea in China?

Isn’t the issue at stake Daniel’s life and saving himself from the lion’s den?

What is amazing is to see how God works in the lives of His people. Daniel was fulfilling a job. Doing his job each day to the best of his ability and trusting God in what had been for some 70 years a persecuted place. Leadership changes again and Daniel’s deepened trust was found in God to provide, to sustain, and to carry him in this transitional period of his life. Trust God and he will take care of the rest.

The Lord influenced bystanders in the midst of the trials and Daniel was found faithful. God worked in the life of Darius and grew His faith and Darius began to show boldness that Daniel’s God would somehow succeed in saving Daniel. Only God can do that.

Notice the growth, the maturity and the influence of a faithful Jewish leader in the life of the King-”Darius said, “He will deliver you.”

When life has its struggles, you feel as if you are being tested, and you stay faithful, know people are watching. Know that God is using you to turn on some lights in the lives of others. Let’s pray.