AM - POWER Over Problems - Part III

INTRODUCTION

Turn in your Bibles, this morning, to Daniel 6.

This Morning, we are coming to the climax, to one of the most intriguing passages found in the Word of God!

I mean, in the background - the suspense since the opening of Daniel 6, could not be mistaken in its progressive building,

Perhaps you might have been able to pickup on the low-toned instruments in an orchestra

As they are sounding their dismally low features -

While the dastardly plot begins to thicken and play out.

No doubt, the mood seems to be shifting towards a cataclysmic moment -

For this one particular Hebrew, situated within the nation of Babylonia!

For all practical purposes, this helpless & unawares Daniel, is about to be (IN TODAY’S LINGO) - “THROWN UNDER THE BUS!”

His future, at this point, in the eyes of the world - does not seem to be very certain -

Other than, to be a mere snack in the mouths of some angry, blood thirsty, man-eating lions!

YET - we all know that this building anticipation is only short lived, due to the miraculous intervention from the God of Abraham, Isaac, & Jacob!

It seems that God had put a bad taste for Daniel that night, in the lion’s mouths, and the rest (AS THEY SAY) IS HISTORY!

Before, we go closing the chapter on Daniel 6 -

Before, we turn our minds away from this building of suspense -

We need to evaluate Daniel, UNDER THE TRIAL’S PRESSURE, a little closer!

We know that Daniel kept his integrity before God and man -

And likewise, his continuous actions served as the springboard for such events taking place - here in Daniel 6 and the dreaded den of lions to come!

BUT - what can we gather from this most popular Sunday School lesson that has dazzled children of all ages for many years?

Again, I draw your attention to the words of the Apostle Paul in Romans 15:4 “For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.”

That seems to be what saint and sinner alike, are looking for - HOPE!

There is ONLY ONE TRUE HOPE - and it is found in the POWER OF GOD!

Ladies & Gentlemen - IF YOU ARE GOING TO ACHIEVE VICTORY IN THE LORD, STARTING IN 2024 - just as we know Daniel was victorious in his trials, or problems -

YOU MUST PREPARE FOR YOUR OWN FUTURE STANDING IN TRIALS, BY ACTIVELY UPON YOUR KNEES NOW, GAINING STRENGTH FROM THE GOD OF ALL HEAVEN!

Jeremiah 29:13 -“And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.”

Jeremiah 33:3 - “Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.”

1 Peter 5:7 - “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.”

Ephesians 3:20 -“Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us”.

What you are witnessing here, in the life of this elder statesman Daniel, IS NOTHING NEW IN THE BIBLE, & can be found true in the lives of many of God tried & true servants -

Like Moses - who spent much time in intercessory prayer!

Like David - who spent much time, and penned many verses denoting time in prayer before God

Like Elijah - who prayed at Mt. Carmel and defeated the prophets of Ba’al, who also prayed and it rained during a drought.

Like Isaiah - who prayed for national repentance.

Like Nehemiah - who was just as much a prayer warrior, as he was a builder.

Like Esther - who called for prayer & fasting before meeting with the king.

Like the Apostle Paul - who wrote much on the privilege of intercessory prayer.

Like the Apostle Peter - who prayed often and saw God perform many miracles due to the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man.

Like Stephen, James, John, Abraham, Jeremiah, Job, Hannah, Samuel, Ezekiel, Zechariah, Elisha and many others!

THEREFORE - GO TO HIM NOW, RUN TO HIM NOW, CLING TO HIM NOW!

If you have found Daniel 6, and are physically able to stand - PLEASE STAND FOR THE READING OF THE WORD OF GOD!

Daniel 6:10–15 - “Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime. Then these men assembled, and found Daniel praying and making supplication before his God. Then they came near, and spake before the king concerning the king’s decree; Hast thou not signed a decree, that every man that shall ask a petition of any God or man within thirty days, save of thee, 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 altereth not. Then answered they and said before the king, That Daniel, which is of the children of the captivity of Judah, regardeth not thee, O king, nor the decree that thou hast signed, but maketh his petition three times a day. Then the king, when he heard these words, was sore displeased with himself, and set his heart on Daniel to deliver him: and he laboured till the going down of the sun to deliver him. Then these men assembled unto the king, and said unto the king, Know, O king, that the law of the Medes and Persians is, That no decree nor statute which the king establisheth may be changed.”

Let’s Pray and we continue in the Message - “POWER Over Problems”!

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So - let me start out the message this morning, in this manner:

When Daniel found out the news according to, OUR TEXT IN VS. 10 - as we will see in a moment - would did he do?

When you purposefully set yourself in accordance to honor Almighty God, and consistently seek to do the right things found IN THE WORD OF GOD - only for the bottom to fall out, what do you do?

Paul reminds us in Philippians 2:14 “Do all things without murmurings and disputings:”

And also in Philippians 4:4 “Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.”

LADIES & GENTLEMEN - WHEN TRIALS COME, DO YOU COMMENCE TO FUSSING, GRIPING, & ALLOWING BITTERNESS TO SET IN?

Like jumping in on Facebook to complain about your problems, like others really care to hear!

Like trudging through life, bitter at how unfair circumstances have treated you!

Or, will you allow the trial to make you BETTER instead of BITTER~

YOU CAN REST IN THE PROMISE OF - Romans 8:28–29 “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.”

THE TRUTH, TO TAKE IN - GOD ALLOWS TRIALS INTO OUR LIVES -

For Your Good -

For HIS GLORY!

As we will see proven true this morning, Daniel Transacted Godly Testimony EVEN DURING THE TESTING!

We know that he transacted a Godly testimony since the opening chapters of the Book of Daniel!

When the TEST was put in front of him, the way that Daniel had been previously set to respond, his reactions did not change ONE lick!

We do NOT find any records, in the Word of God nor from the history books - that Daniel threw a temper-tantrum when the news hit of his pending doom!

We do NOT find any certainty that Daniel went and cowered in fear, as to what was going on, and futuristically would be taking place!

We do NOT know of any attempts on Daniel’s part to compromise and deal-make with the enemy, in order to lessen the severity of the judgement!

Hence - ONE of the greatest lessons that can EVER come from the Written Word of God - involves the Achieving of One’s Victories, Not By Force or by Might, BUT BY PRAYER!

Spurgeon stated that prayer was 'the grandest power in the entire universe, that it is more omnipotent than electricity, attraction, gravitation or any such secret forces... Prayer has as palpable, as true, as sure, as invariable an influence over the entire universe as any of the laws of matter.

Daniel Had A Ministry From God.

Daniel Prepared By Praying.

As the news made its way from the king’s palace, through town, and into the ears of Daniel - a NEW LAW HAD BEEN ENACTED AGAINST PRAYER TO ALL OTHERS, BUT THE KING!

Daniel was NOT slighted by the pronouncement of punishment, as the offender, of this new sabotaging law!

He responded just like he always had, and in future light of what would take place in Acts 5.

When seized and threatened to not teach anymore about the Lord Jesus Christ, the apostles respectfully replied in Acts 5:29 “Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.”

As we noted previously, Daniel did NOT go into a tailspin before God -

And shut the windows of his house, so others would not see him!

He did NOT meet with his subordinates in order to attempt re-writing the law

THAT WAS PERMANENT - ACCORDING TO THE LAW OF MEDES & PERSIANS!

We do NOT read of Daniel being laden with panic, and a wringing of the hands in a cold sweat!

Daniel did NOT try any ulterior means, to escape his predetermined responsibilities before God, just to save his neck!

THE TRUTH SADLY RESOUNDS - THAT MANY OF US, WOULD RESPOND FAVORABLY CONCERNING OUR MESSAGE OF PRAYER, BUT GRAVELY LACKING IN THE EVIDENCE OF MANNERS!

In times of trial, and proof of genuine religious piety, we come up lacking due to a weak or nonexistent prayer life!

THAT IS WHERE THE SOURCE OF OUR STRENGTH OUGHT TO LIE, IN FAITHFUL PRAYER UPON THE PROMISES OF GOD!

CONSEQUENTLY - Daniel Prayed Publicly! - Daniel 6:10 - “Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.”

Daniel HAD PREVIOUSLY Made the Choice to Follow God!

Mark my words down, as we have noted over the past couple of weeks looking into POWER Over Problems -

Anytime that you set out to serve God with ALL of your heart - God is NOT interested in just your PART-TIME service - He is a Jealous God, and Desires YOUR Comprehensive Service!

GRAVE REMINDER TO Revelation 3:15–16 - “I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.”

Setting out to serve God WILL cost you something - JUST MARK IT DOWN, & DETERMINE TO DO RIGHT, NO MATTER IF THE STARS FALL - STILL DO RIGHT!

We Could Say this ANOTHER WAY -

DETERMINE NOW A PURPOSEFUL PRAYER LIFE, AND FAITHFULLY FOLLOW 1 Thessalonians 5:17 - “Pray without ceasing.”

But then expect to be put to the test, and face it like THE MAN OF GOD, did!

When you learn to fear God - the fear of man is NOT quite so intimidating!

What is the worst that man can do to you - take your physical life?

Have you ever stopped to consider the testimony of the Apostle Paul, outlined simply in Philippians 1:20 21 “According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death. For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”

Paul, just like Daniel, was not afraid to die!

He was more concerned with letting God down, according to these verses in Philippians 1!

AND THAT WAS THE KEY, for Paul, and for Daniel alike - and ultimately, YOU must determine THAT for yourself, if you ever want to ACHIEVE VICTORY IN THE LORD!

Someone listed 3 Reasons, this determinate lifestyle seen in Daniel and Paul, IS the ONLY MEANS OF LIVING. When you consider the positive results of fearing God more than personal death -

You are FREE to focus on the things that really matter the most (AS WE WILL SEE SHORTLY!)

AGAIN - let me reiterate, from last week -

I am NOT condoning going outside of the judicial authority of the Laws of this land

Trying to be a mercenary, and winding up a martyr in the process!

When man’s laws contradict God’s laws, the determinate heart to please God WILL rule out, and will thus open the doors to honor God, and in the process be a testimony in the land, to others!

You are INDIFFERENT to your own personal fate! (Paul knew death only meant, absent from the body and present with the LORD)

You are UTTERLY Consumed With Doing God’s Will!

Therefore - LADIES &GENTLEMEN, Resist the Temptation of Satan to Timidity!

Satan will cast every lie available to curb your predetermined purpose for God - in the midst of the TEST!

“What will others think of you, you pathetic Christian? - YOU’RE A TROUBLE-MAKER!”

“Will you REALLY point others to Christ by TAKING such a stand against God-Ordained Government?”

If you haven’t paid any attention - Satan’s practices ALWAYS seek to divide and separate!

He is a master at deception and division!

You MUST kick him to the curb!

The Apostle Paul corrects the correct handling of such cowardly temptation, laid out in Romans 1:16 “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.”

Ladies & Gentlemen, as a Child of God -

If you truly DESIRE to be Victorious in Achieving Victory - you MUST PREPARE NOW, & NOT BE ASHAMED AS A CHILD OF GOD, IN THE DAY OF TRIAL!

David Offered Intercessory Prayer For Others. - Daniel 6:10 - “Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.” (turn back to 2 Chron. 6)

Take Into Account - The Context of the Timing.

WHERE was Daniel, and the existing exiled captives located at this present time?

They Were Situated In Babylonian Captivity!

WHY were they situated as captives exiled to Babylonia?

They had become spiritually adulterous, as God’s people -

Becoming more and more idolatrous than the other seven surrounding nations around Israel - AND GOD WAS WATCHING!

They had been warned time & time again - and would NOT heed the WARNINGS, given by God through His Prophets!

HOW LONG would they be in Babylonian captivity?

Dr. Warren Wiersbe explains - “During the first year of Darius, Daniel had learned from the book of Jeremiah, that the Jewish captivity would end after seventy years, and he would turn this great promise into prayer. Daniel was interceding for his people and asking God to keep His promise and deliver them.”

Take Into Account - The Call for Obedience.

Daniel, as One Who Sought to Please God, Offered Intercessory Prayer, ON BEHALF OF OTHERS, & Towards Jerusalem!

He was praying, as instructed by Solomon in 2 Chron. 6 - with repentance and faith, THAT GOD WOULD HEAR AND FORGIVE HIS PEOPLE!

Notice 2 Chronicles 6:38–39 - “If they return to thee with all their heart and with all their soul in the land of their captivity, whither they have carried them captives, and pray toward their land, which thou gavest unto their fathers, and toward the city which thou hast chosen, and toward the house which I have built for thy name: Then hear thou from the heavens, even from thy dwelling place, their prayer and their supplications, and maintain their cause, and forgive thy people which have sinned against thee.”

Christian - What Excuse Have You for NOT OBEDIENTLY Praying for Others?

James 5:16 - “Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.”

1 Timothy 2:1 “I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;”

Philippians 4:6 - “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.”

Colossians 1:9 - “For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;”

Matthew 5:44 - “But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;”

Romans 15:30 - “Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ’s sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in your prayers to God for me;”

What if Daniel had NOT been obedient to GOD, FIRST & the SCRIPTURES SECOND, and exercised NOT the responsibility to earnest prayer?

What if Daniel would have prayed with his windows closed,

What would have happened had Daniel only offered prayer silently, so to not attract attention,

What if he had sought ANOTHER place to offer prayer unto God for others and himself?

THE ANSWER - WIERSBE STATES, “THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN UNBELIEF AND COWARDICE! HE WOULD HAVE BEEN SCHEMING JUST LIKE THE ENEMY, AND THE LORD WOULD HAVE WITHHELD HIS BLESSINGS!”

APPLICATION - We miss out, on many victories, due to not exercising obedience unto God. We can NEVER allow ourselves to substitute obedience for offered sacrifices!

1 Samuel 15:22 “And Samuel said, Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, As in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, And to hearken than the fat of rams.”

So - ANY sacrifices, outside of the realm of obedience, cannot warrant the blessings of God! Obedience brings the blessings of God, while disobedience warrants our heartaches!

Daniel Sought to Please God, Through Intercessory Prayer, ON BEHALF OF OTHERS

Daniel, Also Sought to Please God, Through Habitual Prayers - Daniel 6:10 - “Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.”

NOTICE - The Prayers Did NOT Commence When the TEST Started! (REPEAT)

Notice the last phrase of the verse - “as he did aforetime.” MARK THAT IN BIBLE

Not only is it indicative of the pattern of prayer, found in Daniel -

PROVING THE CLAIM - You Will ONLY Do THEN, What You Do NOW!

It was also the purpose, for the law enacted AGAINST Daniel - in the first place!

PROVING THE CLAIM - Daniel’s Life Proved His Relationship WITH God!

HOW ABOUT YOU, Christian?

Are either of these CHARACTERISTIC OF YOU?

My Question would be why - “If NOT....WHY?”

“Why Don’t We Pray More Often?”

We are familiar with the definition of PRAYER as, “Asking and Receiving.”

James 4:2 is there to confirm “We have not because we ask not.”

SO - AGAIN! WHY ARE WE SO HESITANT TO SPEND MUCH TIME IN PRAYER?

While studying, I came across this interesting article about prayer -

And someone else defined PRAYER as, “A Declaration for Dependence.”

And “THAT” struck me wildly, and answered the question. as to WHY, we are NOT faithful in prayer!

THE PROBLEM WITH MOST CHRISTIANS - WE ARE “NOT” TOTALLY DEPENDENT UPON GOD!

NOW! Before you go throwing maters at the preacher - LISTEN UP!

For the MAJORITY of Christians - WHEN DO YOU DO YOUR MOST FERVENT PRAYING?

IF WE ARE TOTALLY HONEST BEFORE GOD WHO SEES YOUR HEART -

WE MUST CONCLUDE THEREFORE, THAT WE ARE INDEPENDENT OF GOD, UNLESS - THERE IS SOMETHING GOING ON COMPLETELY OUTSIDE OF OUR CONTROL!

For example - go back to last week, when everything that could be done, HAD BEEN DONE - THEN, people FINALLY TURNED to God in prayer, over the elections!

LET’S GO BACK FURTHER - how about to the days of 9/11? Which was only short-lived!

HEY - Daniel’s Pattern of PRAYER Should Serve as a REMINDER to Be Consistently PRAYING, Before the TRIALS Happens!

Consider if our prayer habits, as Christians, were made public - the sad part is that most of us would be ashamed!

I mean, it’s certainly ONE thing to talk about prayer -

IT’S QUITE ANOTHER THING, TO CONSISTENTLY PRAY ABOUT EVERYTHING!

Dr. Paul Chappell says, “Christians who don’t faithfully attend churcvh arent’t likely to begin when mandates are passed prohibiting assembling. Christians who aren’t already regularly reading and studying Scriptures are unlikely to begin when mandates are passed identifying the Bible as hate speech. Christians who aren’t already sharing their faith are unlikely to begin when it becomes illegal. And Christians who do not pray regularly are not likely to begin when doing so would lead to mocking, ridicule, or arrest.”

APPLICATION/CONCLUSION - DANIEL WAS FOUND PRAYING DURING THE TRIAL, DUE TO SURRENDERING TO PRAY BEFORE THE TRIAL SURFACED!