Daniel (4)

The subject of prayer is an ongoing theme for us as a church. It is an area of faith that we must continue to grow and mature in constantly.

Transition: Brief review of context of the prayer. As we discovered last week...

Daniel 2:17-23 (Read)

Daniel 2:17–23 ESV

Then Daniel went to his house and made the matter known to Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, his companions, and told them to seek mercy from the God of heaven concerning this mystery, so that Daniel and his companions might not be destroyed with the rest of the wise men of Babylon. Then the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision of the night. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven. Daniel answered and said: “Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, to whom belong wisdom and might. He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding; he reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what is in the darkness, and the light dwells with him. To you, O God of my fathers, I give thanks and praise, for you have given me wisdom and might, and have now made known to me what we asked of you, for you have made known to us the king’s matter.”

Seeking mercy together

Acts 2:42

Not just a religious activity. Prayer is how we breath and sustain our lives.

This does not negate private, or individual prayer. Daniel shows that example as well. However, when we pray together we demonstrate a unified humility before God. Seeking the Lord for the same matters. Often, it’s in the corporate gatherings where we learn to pray. (Families, small groups, or the main gathering )

Transition: vs. 19 tells us that the mystery was revealed to Daniel. So God answered their plea for mercy. Which takes us to our next observation about prayer.

Praying according to the character of God.

Our Father in Heaven, is not withholding mercy to those who humble themselves and ask. He does not resist and stiff arm his kids. Jesus even said abut prayer, what father when he asks for bread will give his son a stone?? Often, we do not ask because our understanding of God is out of line. Daniel teaches us to pray in harmony with the revealed character of God! Notice how he begins in verse 20.

wisdom and might belong to God

God changes times and seasons (vs.21)

God removes kings and sets up kings (v.s 21)

God gives wisdom and understanding (vs.21)

God reveals deep and hidden things (vs. 22)

God knows what is in darkness (vs. 23)

Light dwells with God. (vs. 23)

Blessing God for His answers. Thanks and praise

Be anxious for nothing.. (Like king Nebuchadnezzar) Philippians 4:6-7

This is the will of God 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Example: Character of God cards. Challenge to pray this prayer… beginning with the “matter” that is afflicting your mind. Possibly end service with prayer time???

Transition: 1 John 5:14-15

Praying in faith- vs 24

God answer puts Daniel into action.

A true prayer of faith, is not passive.

Prayer as a means of outreach and evangelism. (Take note this was written in Aramaic.) Teaching those outside the faith how awesome God is. Example: Praying for someone's troubles at work, family, and etc.. and then following up with a questions, “How has God answered? Not to say their lives will always get better, or the problem will be fixed according to their own ideas…(certainly Nebuchadnezzar would think??)

Conclusion: Offer hope and help for those struggling to pray. 1. Nothing brings us to our knees in honest prayer like affliction. 2. The Holy Spirit helps us. Romans 8:31-39 3. When we pray together we are fighting the true battle. Ephesians 6:17-18

From last week: In contrast to the king’s rampage. Daniel goes to his friends to Ask God for mercy. A lesson for the church: God is accomplishing His purposes through His faithful people; like Daniel, prudence and discretion is needed to respond to difficulties. Maintaining a faith filled frame of mind when others are flipping out.Also, It is right and prudent to share our burdens with one another. It really is pride not to do so. However, we don't impose upon them the responsibility to deliver an answer, or wave a magic wand and take all the bad things away. No, rather, we seek God together. We pray and ask for mercy. James 4:10 tells us… And those who humble themselves to God will find mercy in time of need. Application: God responds to their prayer with mercy. The first thing we need in response to our great distress is mercy. Yes, Daniel received a direct answer and was hoping to save lives...mystery: Something that baffles our understanding. Something unexplainable. No plausible reasoning can be given. Something extremely difficult to understand.

Extras: Check out Psalm 137 “Sinclair Ferguson. How can we sing the Lord’s song in a strange land?Connection point: often we don't sing for Zion because we are too comfortable with Babylon. Like the exiles, like Daniel and his friends, when we are in Christ we are aliens in a foreign land. Our hope is in our future glory with Christ forever in Heaven; our eternal Zion.

Examples: “hand of God”, Nebuchadnezzar’s confessions. Darius's confession 6:26 Confessions of God’s sovereign power upon the mouths of pagan kings. Theme of humility: The rise and fall of nations. The rise and fall of kings. The power we have is not our own, and not one of us will keep it, but rather must give an account for how we stewarded the strengths we have been given. BEWARE OF PRIDE! Caution of desire: “What you want indicates what you are more than what you have.” (-Dever)I have a desire to also preach through Revelation.

As I've studied over the years, and received instruction from others, I have been told these two books of the Bible are very similar, and in order to understand the latter, we should comprehended the former. Notice some of the similarities between the two.

Summarized Bible: Complete Summary of the Old Testament Chapter One Striking Facts: This book is written by a man “greatly beloved” (9:23), and deals with much the same prophecies as those of Revelation written by “the beloved disciple,” (John). Note similarity between the two: 1. In captivity. Dan. 1:6 ; 8:2 ; Rev. 1:9 . 2. Beloved. 10:11; John 13:23 . 3. Heard the Lord’s voice. 8:16; 10:9; Rev. 1:10 . 4. Saw the Lord’s face. Dan. 10:6 ; Rev. 1:14 . 5. Prostrated. 10:8–9; Rev. 1:17 . 6. Quickened. 10:10, 18; Rev. 1:17 . 7 Angel taught. 10:11, 12; Rev. 1:1 .

5. What will it take to stir our hearts to be fully devoted to Christ? Daniel was already praying and practicing habits of godliness before his enemies attack. As a matter of fact, it was his diligence and devotion that made them find a way to get him out of the way. They knew he wouldn’t stop what he was doing, because they knew he was a man of devotion and integrity to His God. i. If we think our casual and convenient Christianity will remain faithful and steadfast through the crisis of enemy attack, we are wrong. If we think our compulsive knee jerk reaction to (for example) our government forcing idolatry upon us or attempting to take away our religious freedoms is a display of true devotion, we are sadly deceived. Fox hole religion, flash in the pan devotion, will not prove faithful through the hard times. As Jesus taught from parable of the sower. It was true in the days of Noah. It was true in the days of Moses. It was true in the days of Daniel. It was true in the days of Jesus. It has been true throughout the days of church history. It is true of our day. Just think of the flocks of people who turned up their devotion and flooded church facilities after September 11th, 2001. And shortly after, returned to their idolatry. This is why it is not wise to be aroused by crowds of Christians who demand that we rally against some immediate attack of evil or injustice. No, rather we need to discipline ourselves for godliness today, in the normal and nitty gritty matters of our hearts and habits. Then, when the attacks of injustice come, and they will come, we do not need to become faithful, simply we remain faithful. Get in line with patterns of godliness now.... if we wait for the lions den, it will be too late. Daniel continued to do in the den of lion that which he had already been devoted to. Simply, he had a change of location. Sometimes we think that we will be a better Christian if I change jobs, change churches, change Bibles, change spouses, change pastors, or change clothes. We must realize, that it is our own hearts that need changing. Even as a church, we must already be doing what we are called to by God to be the people He desires upon the earth. He can act upon evil in the way He has planned. We must honor Him, and need not fret against the so called attacks; or the real attacks of the devil.