Daniel 6 | Kathryn Alban

What is your biggest fear?

....Spiders, heights, violence....

Friday was just Halloween, a time of the year that is dedicated to fear.

Scary movies come out.

People put up spooky decorations.

some dress up in spooky costumes.

The nights get longer.

It’s this time of the year that fear seems to be more present than ever.

In our scripture for today, Daniel is met face to face with fear....

Intro:

Before we dive into Daniel chapter 6 I want to give a little background of who Daniel was.

Daniel lived during the time when King Nebuchadnezzar conquered Jerusalem. At this time the Babylonians went into lands that they conquered and would take young men to bring to Babylon and train in their ways.

Often times these men were of royal of noble families.

So when the Babylonians conquered Judah. Daniel was one of the young men that the babylonians took from their families and brought to train and become one of them. The Babylonians were people who worshiped false Gods.

We see throughout Daniel’s life that, though he lived in Babylon and found favor with the Kings and officials, Daniel never lost sight of who his God was.

From the very beginning of Daniel being brought to babylon and refusing to eat the food given to them because it had first been offered to the pegan Gods, we see Daniel stand firm in his convictions to do was is right in the eyes of the Lord.

In Daniel 6 we see that Daniel rises up in ranks:

Daniel 6:1–3 ESV

It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom 120 satraps, to be throughout the whole kingdom; and over them three high officials, of whom Daniel was one, to whom these satraps should give account, so that the king might suffer no loss. Then this Daniel became distinguished above all the other high officials and satraps, because an excellent spirit was in him. And the king planned to set him over the whole kingdom.

Ok so here set’s the scene for today’s scripture.

Daniel, a man who was taken from his family and lived his adult years as a Babylonian, is now an older man who is going to be put as overseer of the entire kingdom.

This will not come without trouble..

1. Opposition/ Adversity:

Daniel 6:4–9 ESV

Then the high officials and the satraps sought to find a ground for complaint against Daniel with regard to the kingdom, but they could find no ground for complaint or any fault, because he was faithful, and no error or fault was found in him. Then these men said, “We shall not find any ground for complaint against this Daniel unless we find it in connection with the law of his God.” Then these high officials and satraps came by agreement to the king and said to him, “O King Darius, live forever! All the high officials of the kingdom, the prefects and the satraps, the counselors and the governors are agreed that the king should establish an ordinance and enforce an injunction, that whoever makes petition to any god or man for thirty days, except to you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions. Now, O king, establish the injunction and sign the document, so that it cannot be changed, according to the law of the Medes and the Persians, which cannot be revoked.” Therefore King Darius signed the document and injunction.

Here we see the adversity come against Daniel.

We can live according to how God would want us to, we can live above reproach and please our Lord.

But in this world Satan will use others who view this as a threat because of their own selfish ambitions and pride.

(Becareful not to be used by satan to tare others down).

Playing Catan and people always putting the robber on Miguel

We certainly see in our story that Daniel is being targeted because of his faithfulness and achievements.

According to Persian law, once signed, the decree could not be changed — not even by the king himself.

So these jealous men know the only way to take Daniel out is to use his faith in the one true God against him.

Knowing that he prays faithfully, the trick the King into signing this law.

Forcing Daniel to choose between his God or being thrown into the lions den and facing his death.

This would cause immense fear in many people. The thought of being torn to pieces by lions is not something that anyone want’s to face.

Daniel here is tested, will he allow fear to overcome him, or will he remain faithful to God.

2. Reaction:

Daniel 6:10–13 ESV

When Daniel knew that the document had been signed, he went to his house where he had windows in his upper chamber open toward Jerusalem. He got down on his knees three times a day and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as he had done previously. Then these men came by agreement and found Daniel making petition and plea before his God. Then they came near and said before the king, concerning the injunction, “O king! Did you not sign an injunction, that anyone who makes petition to any god or man within thirty days except to you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions?” The king answered and said, “The thing stands fast, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be revoked.” Then they answered and said before the king, “Daniel, who is one of the exiles from Judah, pays no attention to you, O king, or the injunction you have signed, but makes his petition three times a day.”

Miguel and I were watching a movie called Harriet the other day. This movie is about Harriet Tubman and her struggle to break free from slavery and not only that, but break so many others free as well. In the movie we see Harriet faithful to God. She is seen knowing His voice and following after His wisdom. At a point in the movie Harriet is about to be sold to another slave owner and taken away from her family. Getting a vision from God to run that is was she does.

She drops everything to run north to find freedom. Unfortunately this would mean traveling 100 miles on foot through woods, and if she was caught at any point it would mean a cruel death.

At the start of her journey she meets with her pastor and he tells her. “Fear is your enemy. Trust God”

1 John 4:18 ESV

There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.

We see that Daniel’s love for God, the One True God, could not be stopped by fear.

When Daniel learned the decree had been issued, he didn’t panic or hide. Instead, he went home, opened his windows toward Jerusalem, and prayed — just as he had always done — giving thanks to God three times a day.

His actions did not change. He did not let fear stop him.

Daniel’s reaction to opposition was to remain faithful and pray. Let’s continue to see where this reaction take Daniel:

3. Protection:

Daniel 6:16–23 ESV

Then the king commanded, and Daniel was brought and cast into the den of lions. The king declared to Daniel, “May your God, whom you serve continually, deliver you!” And a stone was brought and laid on the mouth of the den, and the king sealed it with his own signet and with the signet of his lords, that nothing might be changed concerning Daniel. Then the king went to his palace and spent the night fasting; no diversions were brought to him, and sleep fled from him. Then, at break of day, the king arose and went in haste to the den of lions. As he came near to the den where Daniel was, he cried out in a tone of anguish. The king declared to Daniel, “O Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to deliver you from the lions?” Then Daniel said to the king, “O king, live forever! My God sent his angel and shut the lions’ mouths, and they have not harmed me, because I was found blameless before him; and also before you, O king, I have done no harm.” Then the king was exceedingly glad, and commanded that Daniel be taken up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no kind of harm was found on him, because he had trusted in his God.

Me at the playground with Ezra and her being scared to walk across the winging bridge.

I tried to tell Ezra it was ok. The bridge is good to walk across and no harm would come to her.

Of course, her being cautious, she didn’t believe me.

So I went in from of her and walked accrossed it myself. Even jumping on it to reinforce the point that even though it moves and my look a little scary, the sturdiness of the bridge would protect us from harm.

She then quickly followed after me.

Trusting too that it was safe.

Now where sometimes man made things malfunction and fail and I am sure sometimes things on playgrounds can break...God does not.

Daniel trusted in God and Because He trusted, God protected him.

The crazy thing is, Daniel’s faith not only protect him but brought others to know and follow God.

Later in Daniel 6 we see that King Darius turns to worship God and leads others in his kingdom to do the same.

When Daniel’s faith was tested, he did not fear, he trusted. This led to others being able to see God’s power at work in a dangerous situation.

Hebrews 10:23 ESV

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.

God is faith to fulfill his promises to us.

I am sure that some of you may also know the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. These three men where actually friends of Daniels.

And when they were put to the test of facing fear or trusting in God they said the famous words:

Daniel 3:17–18 ESV

If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.”

Some times God’s answer to our fears is not to rescue us but to be with us in them.

Still trust in God.

Do not let Satan use fear to keep you from what God has in store for you and for others.

Conclusion:

What do you fear?

Philippians 4:6–7 ESV

do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Will you respond the same way Daniel did? Remaining faithful to a faithful God?