The Power of a Consistent Godly life

The power of consistency in godliness will be recognized by others ()

Explanation: The Kingdom is now in the hands of the Medes and Persians. One of their principles in governing conquered nations was placing natives in charge of affairs to maintain a smooth transition and to limit unrest. Darius, in just a short amount of time, appoints Daniel, an exile from another country, to a very powerful position in the new regime. Upon investigation, Darius and his advisors found Daniel to be a man who had a proven track record. And remember, that Daniel had been recently named to the 3rd position in the Babylonian power structure.

Illustrate: Billy Graham is respected around the world. With all the scrutiny, he has displayed consistency in his actions lining up with his beliefs.

Argument: At this point in his life Daniel is an elder statesman in his mid to late eighties. His life in captivity is readily known to others, and it doesn’t take much effort for Darius to pick up on it. His rise was not random; it was the result of obedience over the long haul.

Application: The Christian life is a marathon, not a sprint. The important issue is not how we start, but how we finish.

The Power of a consistent godly live will provide a resistance to attack ()

Explanation: While being consistent in one’s integrity is honoring to God, it gains the attention of the godless and invites their attack. Others fear what they don’t understand or cannot relate to. A man with no vices is viewed as dangerous. The other advisors wanted to shut Daniel down, so they placed his life under intense scrutiny in the hopes of finding political dirt. After a thorough search they came up with nothing. They realized their only option was an attempt to trip him up in the area of his spiritual beliefs.

Illustrate: Bernie Sanders attacked Russell Vought for his Christian beliefs during proceedings for Vought’s appointment to a deputy director’s position for budget management. The exchange took place in June 2017, and centered on an article Vought wrote for Wheaton College dealing with an Islamic issue in 2016

Argument: The person who strives daily to honor God and live a life of integrity will not be understood by the world system. He or she will be attacked through false reports, smear campaigns, and general hostility. Living for Jesus will invite ridicule and hardship in this walk of life.

Application: Take spiritual inventory and check to see how well you fit in with those around you. If you are buddying up to the world and not causing any friction, you are probably not living for Jesus in a transparent manner.

The power of a consistent godly life will be seen in the ability to refuse to Compromise in the face of adversity ()

Explanation: The other advisors manipulated King Darius into signing the 30 day law. When Daniel was informed of the new law he immediately understood is was a set up. He realized the attack for what it was. Armed with this information he had to make a choice. Go along with the law or remain faithful to God. Daniel made the decision to continue with his regular practice of prayer. To not pray at all for 30 days would have kept him physically safe, but to discontinue his established habit of prayer to God would have been a compromise

Argument: Life brings challenges to our faith. Living for God is not easy, but it is possible. But understand that we will face a series of tests during our lifetimes. We will be under constant temptation to compromise our faith in an effort to go along with the crowd, to not take a stand so as not to make a disturbance. This is not a “one and done,” it is the normal Christian life in action.

Application: Be aware of spiritual reality. God promised to be with us, not to keep us from the trials of life. Use discernment. Know that every choice has consequences; our choices will impact us for years.

The Power of a consistent godly life is displayed in Reliance on God and leaving the results to Him ()

Explanation: Daniel knew the penalty for disobedience was time with the lions, but he chose to honor God, regardless of the consequences. As a result, Daniel was thrown in with the lions, in spite of the king’s efforts to save him. As we know from the historical account, God covered the mouths of the lions and spared his servant’s life.

Argument: As we have repeatedly emphasized during this study, narrative is not normative, and it is God’s prerogative to choose how He will deliver His saints. The main point is that God will deliver His children. It may be out of, or it may be through, but He is faithful.

As for those who attack and persecute us, we are better off leaving them for God to deal with. declares it is God’s prerogative to avenge, not ours. His justice is unerring, even if it is not within this age.

Application: Simply trust God and keep on walking in faith. Very often, we cannot see the outcome. It is good to know that the believer can walk by faith, trusting in the Unseen Hand.

The Power of a consistent godly life is witnessed in God receiving the Glory ()

Explanation: When Darius finds that God had delivered Daniel from the power of the lions he was personally relieved, and he was impressed with Daniel’s God. The King realized that only God could have worked such a miracle. This is even more pronounced when the lions immediately devour the conspirators and their families (nothing wrong with the lions!)

As a result, the king made a public decree praising the God of Hosts. Darius understood him to be the Living God whose Kingdom will have no end.

Argument: We can know we are living for God when He gets the glory, not us. Darius liked Daniel, but he understood that it was God, not Daniel who had power over the lions. When we are consistent in living for God and trusting Him, His deliverance will have his stamp on it.

Application: Be intentional in giving credit to God for His goodness. We all need to remember that everything flows from His gracious hand. “What do you have that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it?” ()