A Lifetime of Faith

Daniel is old now.

Served under the reign of Neb from 605-562 B.C. - 43 years.

Darius came to power in 521 BC.

Don’t be afraid to live an upright life!

Daniel had an excellent spirit.

King planned to set him over the entire kingdom.

The other officials were not happy!

They tried to find fault with him.

Upon examination “they could find no ground for complaint or any fault, bc he was faithful, and no error or fault was found in him.

Could this be said about you?

When they couldn’t find fault with him, they went after his faith in God.

You may find yourself in a culture that is hostile toward God.

Don’t be surprised if you are attacked for your faith, beliefs, church you attend, etc…

Kelvin Chocran picture

Fired as fire chief of Atlanta for a Men’s Bible study book he wrote for his church.

His views on sex and sexuality were attacked and he was put on administrative leave and then fired.

Mayor is quoted as saying, “This is not about religious freedom. This is not about free speech. Judgment is the basis of the problem.”

Apparently he showed poor judgment for standing on the truth.

Don’t be surprised by these things.

Daniel was attacked for his faith in God. A plan was hatched.

Vs 6-8

Daniel 6:6–8 ESV

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.”

King Darius signed the document.

What was Daniel’s reaction to the news?

He went to his house and prayed.

Daniel 6:10–11 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.

Daniel continued to pray. Continued to worship. Its possible he continued to pray according to the prophecy of Jeremiah.

Jeremiah 29:1–10 ESV

These are the words of the letter that Jeremiah the prophet sent from Jerusalem to the surviving elders of the exiles, and to the priests, the prophets, and all the people, whom Nebuchadnezzar had taken into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon. This was after King Jeconiah and the queen mother, the eunuchs, the officials of Judah and Jerusalem, the craftsmen, and the metal workers had departed from Jerusalem. The letter was sent by the hand of Elasah the son of Shaphan and Gemariah the son of Hilkiah, whom Zedekiah king of Judah sent to Babylon to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon. It said: “Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, to all the exiles whom I have sent into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: Build houses and live in them; plant gardens and eat their produce. Take wives and have sons and daughters; take wives for your sons, and give your daughters in marriage, that they may bear sons and daughters; multiply there, and do not decrease. But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare. For thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: Do not let your prophets and your diviners who are among you deceive you, and do not listen to the dreams that they dream, for it is a lie that they are prophesying to you in my name; I did not send them, declares the Lord. “For thus says the Lord: When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will visit you, and I will fulfill to you my promise and bring you back to this place.

The trap was set and now sprung. Vs 12-13

Daniel went from being distinguished to despised.

Daniel was thrown into the lions den.

Be prepared to suffer for your faith!

Not trying to scare you. Just recognize the reality of the world we live.

Don’t be surprised - 1 Peter 4:12, 14

1 Peter 4:12–14 ESV

Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.

Keep praying!

Keep putting your faith and trust in God regardless of the circumstances you encounter.

You will be misunderstood for taking a stand for God.

Not because you are more holy.

Not because you are “better” than others.

Because you are different! Not “acting” like everyone else.

Remember the game plan of the world.

Insert previous slide here.

So why do we obey…?

Slide: We obey because we love God more than we fear man.

We obey because we love God more than we fear man!

Are you ready?

God is able to deliver you.

God shut the mouths of the lions.

God is able to make you prosper among the “enemy”.

Remember God suffered for you.