Life In Perilous Times

Introduction - Over the next several weeks, having finished the book of Jonah, I would like for us to look at a different book of the Bible that bears the name of penman found in the major prophets.

It is the book of Daniel. Over the next many weeks, will be dealing with a subject, that I believe is timely and relevant entitled, Living as Lights in a Dark World.

We will be reading a few verses out of that book in a few moments, But before we do please open your Bible to 1 Samuel 3 this evening.

How many by raise a hand would realize this that we're living in a dark world?

You might say to me, Pastor there's plenty of lights around and I don't know what you mean by this we're living in a dark world. What I mean by this Is that we're living in spiritually dark times.

The world by and large is spiritually dark. Individuals unfortunately in this world are spiritually dark. I hate it— even Christians in a large way are spiritually dark.

There is this passage of scripture that has moved me many times here in 1 Samuel 3.

In this chapter, it is a terribly sad time for the life of the nation of Israel…

They are coming out of the days of apostasy as recorded in the times of the judges and the book of Ruth.

It was a time according to Judges 21:25, “…there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes.”

And the nation was moving into the period referred to as the prophets.

These prophets beginning with Samuel heralded unashamedly the message of God and shook the hearts of the people.

And I'm so thankful that God always has a Preacher, even in the darkest of days, there is a light.

You know why that is? Because our God never fails—and He never fails us.

God sends these prophets—because He loves us so much and He will never be without a witness.

But before Samuel is called in this very chapter—- the Bible tells us in the very first verse about the dark days.

Notice with me 1 Samuel chapter 3 verse 1 the Bible says, “And the child Samuel ministered unto the Lord before Eli. And the Word of the Lord was precious in those days; There was no open vision.”

The reason this passage has moved me so many times, is that statement— the Word of the Lord was precious in those days.

That phrase the Word of the Lord was precious does not mean that people cared much for it, but rather it means this that there was no open prophecy—There was hardly a Word from God.

When you look at the temperature of the people in that day, indicative of Eli's sons Hophni and Phinehas and their actions,

And knowing all that befell the nation through the book of Judges it is no wonder that the Word of the Lord was precious in those days.

This was a period of darkness, and God would have His prophet stand and proclaim His Word.

And when we move forward in the nation’s history you enter into the times of the kings—

And following the reigns of three kings Saul, David, and Solomon— a full 120 years…

Things go up spiritually and then begin to decline to the place where the kingdom fractures.

From 1 Kings 12 moving forward— You have a Northern kingdom, which is completely apostatized…

For 200 years God was longsuffering toward those ten tribes in the north—the Lord calls her Oholah in Ezekiel 23–meaning idolatrous tent.

And then you have a Southern kingdom which vacillate between spirituality and carnality for another 125 years. The Lord calls Jerusalem— in that same chapter —oholibah the sister of idolatrous tent.

Until finally, the dark days return once again.

This is where we find ourselves in the book of Daniel.

And can I say to you—- that we too are living in dark days—- we are living in the last days.

Could I say it this way— we are in the last of the last days.

And I don't intend to be all doom and gloom, but we must begin with an understanding of the reality of the time in which we're living.

1 Chronicles 12:32 “32 And of the children of Issachar, which were men that had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do; the heads of them were two hundred; and all their brethren were at their commandment.”

That verse is given concerning the bands of folks that came to David ready to place into his hand the kingdom of the nation of Israel.

And it says of the children of Issachar — one of the tribes—- That they were men that had understanding of the times.

And do you know this, there is great wisdom in understanding the times. In fact, I’ve got a book in my library written about the days entitled that way—Understanding the times.

There's great wisdom from God for us to understand the time in which we live.

Ephesians 5:15–16 “15 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, 16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.”

I don't know about you, but I do not want to be foolish.

I wanna be wise. Paul continues and says redeeming the time because the days are evil.

Did you know this that Paul understood the time in which you lived?

Now Paul the apostle— in speaking to His son in the faith Timothy— warned Him of the days of darkness that were coming.

2 Timothy 3:1–5 “1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.”

And I want us to think—-about this thought this— Life in the perilous times.

Let’s Pray

You know not one of us choose the day in which we would be born… nor the day in which we are living.

In fact, I am sure many of you, like me have considered in your mind, what it must have been like to walk in the days of the Lord.

But the fact remains for us that we were born in this time.

And God has really given us such a precious gift in His Word…

The Bible tells us in Romans 15:4 “4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.”

God has given to us in His Word—- in His Word in just a random collection of historical facts…

Or poetic literature.

Or prophetic utterances.

But what He has given you and I is the wisdom we need to live in the time in which we are living.

Look with me at Daniel 1.

Daniel 1:1–2 “1 In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah came Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon unto Jerusalem, and besieged it. 2 And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, with part of the vessels of the house of God: which he carried into the land of Shinar to the house of his god; and he brought the vessels into the treasure house of his god.”

Now in the coming weeks, we're gonna be dealing with the passages in this book that deal with Daniel and his friends and will be Discovering how it is that Daniel and these three others were able to stand as lights in a dark world.

You see the entire book of Daniel really is broken up into two major categories of scripture.

We have portions of Daniel that are narrative and format and the guide us through the life of Daniel and his friends as they're in Babylon under Babylonian rule and eventually would be under Persian Ruhl.

And then there's also a wide ranging prophetic portion of scripture that God has allowed us to be able to read today specific prophecies that a recorded here about Kings and kingdoms, and towards the end of Daniel really a prophecy that reaches all the way out into eternity.

And we're not going to be necessarily emphasizing the prophetic portions of this scripture.

But I will tell you that we're living in those days of prophecy.

We are going to be looking at how Daniel and Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah were able in spite of such darkness and wickedness to live for God.

And the truth of the matter is, do you know what we need today?

We have got people need to live as lights in a dark world.

In Luke 12:35 “35 Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning;”

Those light speak of a preparedness of the time when the king of glory comes.

The Lord Jesus Christ said in Matthew 5:14–16 “14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. 15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”

Paul the apostle repeated the command of the Lord in Philippians 2:14–16 “14 Do all things without murmurings and disputings: 15 That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; 16 Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.”

All I'm simply trying to say by way of introduction to the small book is that there is a desperate need for us in this local church to stand as lights in a dark world.

There is a desperate need for Christians in this country to stand as lights in a dark world.

And we're gonna discover in the book of Daniel that God has given us an exemplary example of doing just that.

Imagine it, Daniel rushed of at such a young age into the capital of idolatry —-the kingdom of Babylon.

This kingdom can be traced all the way to the beginning— all the way back to the time of Nimrod in the book of Genesis— all the way back to the time of Babel—- and signifies man’s sinful against God.

I. The Lord Promotes and Puts Down

In verse 1, of our text—- during the perilous times—- we see Jehoiakim king of Judah is deposed Nebuchadnezzar.

The kingdom of Judah—-the remnant of the Nation of Israel is judged.

It began back with Josiah—- reign— but His sons lead wickedly.

And the nation as a whole is judged.

These are dark days.

Now we know—- looking at the rest of the Bible that it would be through Judah that Christ would come. We know— that after 70 years this nation would come out of captivity.

But imagine living in this time—- of uncertainty.

Imagine living in this moment, when the forces of evil and decimate the land.

It perilous days, its perilous times….

It seems that darkness is winning.

And friend were reminded here that in the powerless days in the dark days that God is still on the throne.

Look at it with me in the second verse.

Daniel 1:2 “2 And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, with part of the vessels of the house of God: which he carried into the land of Shinar to the house of his god; and he brought the vessels into the treasure house of his god.”

Do you see the phrase, “And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand…”

And one of the key things that you and I must never forget— in the life of perilous times…. is that our Lord still reigns.

If you were looking at this from a worldly view, you would see exactly what we see today….Nations warring against nations.

You have seen political parties, moving to the forefront and pushing agendas.

You see men and people in government and powerful places, making decisions that make impacts that ripple through the entire world.

But if you look at this to the lens of scripture….You began to understand what the Psalmist said….

Psalm 75:4–7 “4 I said unto the fools, Deal not foolishly: And to the wicked, Lift not up the horn: 5 Lift not up your horn on high: Speak not with a stiff neck. 6 For promotion cometh neither from the east, Nor from the west, nor from the south. 7 But God is the judge: He putteth down one, and setteth up another.”

I want you to know this morning— if we are going to be circumspect— if we are going to live as lights in a dark world— we must first come to the understanding—

That the Lord reigns supreme. He promotes—- and He also Puts Down.

I'm just trying to tell you tonight that listen this world is not just hopelessly spinning out of control…But our God has a plan.

And I don't know about you, but that is some of the greatest comfort to know that, though I'm living in perilous times the Lord promotes and He puts down.

In fact, later on in this book— when Daniel wanted a measure of comfort—- He went back to the Scriptures—-

Do you know he did? He read how the prophet Jeremiah— that prophet that prophesied as the Babylonians were riding into town.

And reading His scroll discovered that God would have them in this place for a span of 70 years (Jeremiah 29:10).

And I wholeheartedly believe this, that part of the reason that Daniel was able to be the kind of light that he was because he understood that the Lord promotes and the Lord puts down (Daniel 9:2). Some even believe that Daniel might possibly have even heard of this prophecy of Jeremiah before He went into captivity— since this first reference to this conclusion of captivity is given in Jeremiah 27:1.

But secondly, I would like us to understand as we are living in the perilous days—- and want to be lights in a dark world,

II. The Lord Protects

Do you believe that God is able to bring you through?

Do you believe this further that God is not only able to bring you through but able to use you in a mighty and powerful way in spite of living in these dark days?

I am very encouraged to hear others edifying the people of God—- to not just get by and barely make it—- but to be the ones that stick out so mightily for God!

Read with me again the 2nd verse here in Daniel 1.

Daniel 1:2 “2 And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, with part of the vessels of the house of God: which he carried into the land of Shinar to the house of his god; and he brought the vessels into the treasure house of his god.”

This is quite amazing to me, improve that God has a way of protecting not only his things, but his people.

The Bible says in 2 Peter 2:9 “9 The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:”

Did you know that God made a point of putting in these first two verses in Daniel some information about these vessels of the Lord?

These vessels came out of the Temple and they were used in the Temple worship, and theTemple was laid waste.

This nation would spend 70 years in captivity and it wouldn't be until the times of Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther that they would come back and begin to rebuild by God's design.

And so, the Lord had these vessels taken away, but Nebuchadnezzar stores them up in a house of idolatry.

He protects them in a false house of worship.

It's an amazing thing to see how God protects.

Turn with me over to the book of Ezra—- And notice these verses beginning in the first chapter verse number seven what we read, they are about these vessels.

Ezra 1:7 “7 Also Cyrus the king brought forth the vessels of the house of the Lord, which Nebuchadnezzar had brought forth out of Jerusalem, and had put them in the house of his gods;”

Ezra 1:11 “11 All the vessels of gold and of silver were five thousand and four hundred. All these did Sheshbazzar bring up with them of the captivity that were brought up from Babylon unto Jerusalem.”

God kept these vessels in a pagan house for 70 years…

And I say to you how much more important to God or his people?

I believe Paul the apostle understood this that God would protect him and take care of him. Think of all that he went through and how could he bear through it being shipwrecked and imprisoned and beaten and stoned, being forsaken of his breathing….Because he knew the Lord not only promotes and puts down, but he also knew this that the Lord protects.

2 Timothy 4:16–18 “16 At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge. 17 Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. 18 And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.”

I think one of the necessary things for you and I to live as lights in a dark world is to believe what God says that he will take care of us.

Do you believe that God will protect you and take care of you?

It's been several times in my wife and I his life where the Lord has brought us to a place where we are really taking some steps of faith.

And I realize the entire Christian life is the faith life. But I also realize of certain times when the Lord stretches you, and it seems the step he's asking you to take as a giant step of faith.

Can I testify to you that the Lord protects?

III. The Lord Prepares

Last thing I'd like to say is this.

Not only does the Lord promote and put down. He also protects, But I think the third thing we must get down in our heart if we're gonna live successfully the life and perilous times….Is the Lord prepares.

Did you know that that God has specially prepared you to live in this time and to live in this day?

We understand this is the foreknowledge of God.

He knows you and even knows the very number of hairs upon our heads… (Matthew 10:30) By the way, when the Lord says that in Matthew chapter 10 verse number 30 he is simply trying to help us to understand that every minute detail of our lives God knows all about.

And certainly, he knows things that we do not know. Like I could confess to you this morning. I have no idea how many hairs are upon my head.

And you know what we're gonna find as we examine some of the narratives that are recorded here for us in the book of Daniel.

We're gonna find exactly what we find today in the local New Testament church that God brings the right people for the right time to be the right witness for his glory and for his honor.

Regardless of how careless the times are….Regardless of how dark the day seems.

Friend, I want you to be encouraged that God has you here at Liberty Baptist Church in this time and in this place if your child of God is part of the body of Christ for the very purpose of being a light in a dark world.

How many this morning would be willing to admit— pastor, I have forgotten— that God is the one promotes and God is the one that puts down…

Of there is the movement of men in this world— but I have been despairing—-forgetting that the Lord is still on the throne.

How many would say this—- Pastor— I am encouraged this morning, because God has assured me—- in this passage that He will protect me—- just as He did Daniel—- in spite of the dark days in which we live?

And lastly, how many would say pastor—- I want the Lord to work in my life in such a way—- that I can be a light in these dark days—- and want to commit to Him—- to be like Daniel…. like Haninah, Azariah or Mishael…?

Let’s have a time of invitation shall we?

Let’s Pray