Destiny

Intro:

In every life, there are pivotal moments when destiny is defined for that person. The decisions made at those crucial times usually set the course for the rest of our lives. I was watching a documentary a few days ago about the life of Martin Luther. In his early 20’s he was studying to be an attorney. He had developed some close friendships at the university. Unexpectedly the plague hit that area and three of those close friends died. I’m sure that heightened Luther’s awareness of his own mortality, to lose those people who had become so close to him. Shortly after that he took a trip from the university back to his hometown to visit his family. He was alone on horseback when caught in a fierce thunderstorm. It was a life-threatening situation. In that crisis, Luther made a commitment to God that he would forsake his worldly ambitions and become a monk. He came back and joined an extremely strict Augustine monastery. Luther had come to a pivotal moment in life. There alone in that thunderstorm he made a major life decision that took him on a new direction.i

Elisha was the son of a wealthy farmer. We know that because he was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen. One day the famous prophet Elijah came to his farm and threw his mantle on Elisha, which was a call to follow him as an apprentice prophet. At that moment, Elisha could have said, “No, I’ve got it pretty good here. Thanks for the offer; but I need to stay and keep this farm going.” Had he made that decision, at that pivotal moment, we probably would not know his name today. In a brief moment of time and space, a decision was made that turned the course of Elisha’s life.ii

Each of the disciples had similar experiences. One rich young ruler could have become a close disciple, but at the crucial moment decided to enjoy his wealth instead.iii

But this morning, I’m really not talking about any of those people. I’m talking about you and the major decision points in your life. I’m particularly talking about those decision points that will be coming your way in the days ahead. Some of those moments come and go rather quickly. And we usually cannot reconstruct them after the fact. We either went one way or the other. God is always redemptive. So regardless of where we are in life and regardless of past decisions we have made, we can still walk with Him and move forward in a positive way. But my focus this morning is on those opportunities that pop up in our lives and must be seized at the moment of opportunity.

Peter and his brother, Andrew, were busy fishing on the Sea of Galilee when Jesus walked up to them and said, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.”iv Did they have the option of saying to Jesus, “We really would like to get with you, in a couple of years we should be able to wrap this up. How can we get in touch with you then?” Then the offer would have expired. Jesus was offering three years of training that would set the course of their lives. The time table was already set. They accepted the offer on God’s terms or they turned it down. Some things with God are not negotiable. Of course, we know that the next verse says they “immediately” left their nets and followed him. And you know the rest of the story; a pivotal point in those men’s lives.

I wonder what crucial decisions are being set before us by God as we speak. I wonder what I may step into tomorrow or the next day. I wonder why God is having me preach this message!

Is there a decision you’re about to make that will make a lot of difference in the course of your life?

In our text today, Daniel found himself

I. Placed in a Crisis That Was Pivotal

Follow with me as we read (Read).v

Daniel 2:1–13 NIV

In the second year of his reign, Nebuchadnezzar had dreams; his mind was troubled and he could not sleep. So the king summoned the magicians, enchanters, sorcerers and astrologers to tell him what he had dreamed. When they came in and stood before the king, he said to them, “I have had a dream that troubles me and I want to know what it means.” Then the astrologers answered the king, “May the king live forever! Tell your servants the dream, and we will interpret it.” The king replied to the astrologers, “This is what I have firmly decided: If you do not tell me what my dream was and interpret it, I will have you cut into pieces and your houses turned into piles of rubble. But if you tell me the dream and explain it, you will receive from me gifts and rewards and great honor. So tell me the dream and interpret it for me.” Once more they replied, “Let the king tell his servants the dream, and we will interpret it.” Then the king answered, “I am certain that you are trying to gain time, because you realize that this is what I have firmly decided: If you do not tell me the dream, there is only one penalty for you. You have conspired to tell me misleading and wicked things, hoping the situation will change. So then, tell me the dream, and I will know that you can interpret it for me.” The astrologers answered the king, “There is no one on earth who can do what the king asks! No king, however great and mighty, has ever asked such a thing of any magician or enchanter or astrologer. What the king asks is too difficult. No one can reveal it to the king except the gods, and they do not live among humans.” This made the king so angry and furious that he ordered the execution of all the wise men of Babylon. So the decree was issued to put the wise men to death, and men were sent to look for Daniel and his friends to put them to death.

Imagine that situation. King Nebuchadnezzar is not only demanding the impossible; but he is threatening severe punishment if they don’t accomplish the impossible. This looks like a no win situation. If you don’t come through, “I’m going to cut you to pieces.” Sounds to me like a good time to leave town. Everybody is in a panic.

Its times like these that the question comes to mind, “Why Me?” I’m sure at least some of those counselors were thinking that. The king’s demand was not fair. Yet he had the power to impose it on them. Daniel and his companions had just been living their lives and doing their jobs when all of a sudden they are hit with this dilemma.

On the one hand, we can blame Nebuchadnezzar for the situation. But where did that dream come from? Who led Daniel into the company of wise counselors so that he would be vulnerable to this decree? “The steps of a good man are ordered of the Lord,” David wrote, in . Is Daniel a good man? According to Daniel chapter 1 we know that Daniel is devoted to the Lord. This is not some chastening from God that Job’s friends might imply. This is not the negative consequences of bad choices in the past. This is a set up by God Himself for Daniel!

God gave Nebuchadnezzar the dream. In verse 28 of this chapter, Daniel clearly says that. God Himself initiated this crisis by giving Nebuchadnezzar a troubling dream. That tells me that God is actively involved in the affairs of men, even in the lives of the ungodly. At this point, Nebuchadnezzar is a wicked, brutal idol worshipper. We might not think God would speak to someone like that.

Why wouldn’t God give a special dream like that to some godly person that’s seeking His face? God has strategies for the advancement of His kingdom that do not always fit into our little religious boxes. I’m expecting some unexpected strategies of God to immerge in the days ahead. Only those willing to risk stepping into unknown territory with Him will be in on it. Hiding in the comfort of safe environments and known experiences is probably one way to miss out on something big. What God does will always be consistent with His character; will always be consistent with the revelation He has already given in His word—but it will not always be done the same way, with the same methods as in the past.

Think about the crazy journey Daniel has already been on up to this point. He is born to devout Jewish parents. But they live in a nation that has turned from God to idolatry. “Righteousness exalts a nation, But sin is a reproach to any people” (). Israel was no exception to that principle; neither is America. God’s judgement came on Israel and it affected Daniel’s life. He was taken captive by Nebuchadnezzar, and made a slave in Babylon. Daniel had been victimized by the iniquity of others; yet he does not embrace a victim mentality. He does not become absorbed with self-pity. The question, “Why me?” probably crossed his mind; but He did not camp there because His mind was on the Lord. Everything he does revolves around his devotion to God. God’s judgement on his nation does not shake Daniel’s devotion to God. Jeremiah had prophesied these things; and they were coming to pass.

does not become absorbed with self-pity. The question, “Why me?” probably crossed his mind; but He did not camp there because His mind was stayed on the Lord. Everything he does revolves around his devotion to God. God’s judgement on his nation does not shake Daniel’s devotion to Jehovah. Jeremiah had prophesied these things; and they were coming to pass.

Once in Babylon, Daniel immediately faced another crisis. He was provided food that had been consecrated to the pagan gods of Babylon; foods that violated Jewish law. Some of you know the story in chapter one where he was able to persuade the Chief Eunuch to allow him to eat vegetables instead and keep himself ceremonially clean in that regard. So Daniel has behaved himself wisely in difficult situations already. He and his companions are recognized in the company of wise men who counsel the king.

But instead of all those good decisions leading to comfort, they have led him into a life and death crisis. It’s a very simplistic mindset that simply says good things happen to good people and bad things happen to bad people. That was the theology of Job’s friends and God Himself rebuked it. The ways of God are a bit more complex than that. Daniel and his friends, through no fault of their own, are providentially placed in a crisis situation. But they had also been

II. Prepared for the Crisis

This is the heart of the message because, if we don’t take God’s preparations, then when crisis comes into our lives we may make the wrong choices.

All of what we have just talked about were preparations in Daniel for the pivotal moment in our text. Daniel had proved God faithful in his appeal to the Chief Eunuch. He had looked to God during the attack of Babylon on Jerusalem. Prior to that, as a boy he had learned the word. He knew the Jewish law concerning which foods were and were not defiling. He had already become a person of prayer before the crisis of . He was prepared spiritually to deal with this pivotal moment.

Paul wrote in

2 Timothy 3:1–5 NIV

But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God—having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people.

2 Timothy 3

How do you prepare for perilous times like the ones Paul is describing here? Paul immediately talks about being equipped by the word of God, knowing the Scriptures, knowing God.vi There is some wisdom in laying up money for the future. Solomon tells us to consider the ant as an example of that.vii There is some prudence in anticipating a problem ahead and resourcing ourselves to deal with it. But there is ultimately one preparation you and I need above all others: that is our relationship with God, our grounding in the word of God, and our faith in His ability to see us through anything.

How do you prepare for perilous times like the ones Paul is describing here? Paul immediately talks about being equipped by the word of God, knowing the Scriptures, knowing God.vi There is some wisdom in laying up money for the future. Solomon tells us to consider the ant as an example of that.vii There is some prudence in anticipating a problem ahead and resourcing ourselves to deal with it. But there is ultimately one preparation you and I need above all others: that is our relationship with God, our grounding in the word of God, and our faith in His ability to see us through anything.

There is a lot of ambiguity in the Bible about events of the last days, especially timing of events. I cannot tell you for sure when the rapture will occur. But I can tell you that you and I need the same preparation for the rapture that we need for a tribulation: “the people that do know their God” are ready for either one.

“Arise, shine; For your light has come! And the glory of the LORD is risen upon you. 2 For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, And deep darkness the people; But the LORD will arise over you, And His glory will be seen upon you.”

I am not Polly Anna about the future; but I am confident in God’s ability to shine through His people even in the darkest of times, just as He did through Daniel and his companions. talks about some very dark events in the last days; but in the mist of all that verse 32 says, “And such as do wickedly against the covenant shall he corrupt by flatteries: but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits (KJV).” There is a hint at the essential preparation that must be made. The exploits are done by “the people that do know their God.” I want to know Him in a way that I am ready for anything!

There is a lot of ambiguity in the Bible about events of the last days, especially timing of events. I cannot tell you for sure when the rapture will occur. But I can tell you that you and I need the same preparation for a rapture that we need for a tribulation: “the people that do know their God” are ready for either one.

David was prepared for the crisis he faced. When David walked into the camp of Israel and heard the threats and challenges of Goliath, he was prepared for the crisis. What was his preparation? Did he have more swords than anybody else or better amour? No, he actually picked up the stones as he was walking into battle with Goliath. His preparation was his relationship with God and the faith he had as a result of that relationship.

Stephen had a very different experience from the one David had with Goliath. Stephen faced a life and death crisis with the Sanhedrin.viii Instead of slaying a Goliath, he was slain as the first martyr of the Church. But he was victorious in his crisis and he was prepared for the moment. What was his preparation? says he was “a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit.”

Daniel’s preparation, David’s preparation, and Steven’s preparation were all the same. It was their relationship with God. We can make our own prudent preparations for the days ahead; but if we leave off our relationship with God we will not be prepared.ix

Back in everyone is panicking. But Daniel does not panic.

(Read)

Daniel 2:14–19 NIV

When Arioch, the commander of the king’s guard, had gone out to put to death the wise men of Babylon, Daniel spoke to him with wisdom and tact. He asked the king’s officer, “Why did the king issue such a harsh decree?” Arioch then explained the matter to Daniel. At this, Daniel went in to the king and asked for time, so that he might interpret the dream for him. Then Daniel returned to his house and explained the matter to his friends Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah. He urged them to plead for mercy from the God of heaven concerning this mystery, so that he and his friends might not be executed with the rest of the wise men of Babylon. During the night the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision. Then Daniel praised the God of heaven

For the sake of time we won’t read the rest of the chapter. Daniel gives praise to God for revealing to him the dream and interpretation. He goes before King Nebuchadnezzar and reads his mail—gives him the dream and the interpretation. We see the end result in (Read).

Daniel 2:47–49 NIV

The king said to Daniel, “Surely your God is the God of gods and the Lord of kings and a revealer of mysteries, for you were able to reveal this mystery.” Then the king placed Daniel in a high position and lavished many gifts on him. He made him ruler over the entire province of Babylon and placed him in charge of all its wise men. Moreover, at Daniel’s request the king appointed Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego administrators over the province of Babylon, while Daniel himself remained at the royal court.

So now Daniel is:

III. Propelled by Crisis into Destiny.

Since he was prepared for the moment, the moment of crisis became a moment of opportunity. When the king’s decree went forth, all the wise men were looking for a place to hide. They wanted to distance themselves from the king as much as possible. All they saw in this was danger. They’re running backwards on their heels.

But Daniel is a man of a different spirit. Instead of backing off, he steps forward—putting himself at even more risk. We can calmly read this story, with very little emotion—unless we ask ourselves the question. What would have happened if Daniel had missed it? He steps forward and tells the king he has the dream and interpretation. What do you think the crazy king would have done if Daniel had given him the wrong dream? It doesn’t get much worse than being cut in little pieces; but if anybody could have come up with a more painful way to go, Nebuchadnezzar would have been the one to do it. Don’t think Daniel’s courageous act was easy. First, even before he heard anything from the Lord, he stepped forward in faith and asked the king for time. Look at verses 16-18 closely. He is essentially telling the king, he’ll be back with the answer. What if God had not given him the answer? I would have preferred to get the revelation of the dream before going to the king, wouldn’t you?

Nebuchadnezzar would have been the one to do it. Don’t think Daniel’s courageous act was easy. First, even before he heard anything from the Lord, he stepped forward in faith and asked the king for time. Look at verses 16-18 closely. He is essentially telling the king, he’ll be back with the answer. What if God had not given him the answer? I would have preferred to get the revelation of the dream before going to the king, wouldn’t you? When God first called me to preach, it was a major struggle. I did not want to get up in front of people; and I certainly didn’t want to be standing up there without the word of the Lord. So after I had preached a few times, when pastors asked me to preach, my answer was, “I’ll get back with you if God gives me a message.” A message did not come, so for a good while I did not preach. Finally, the Lord told me to submit to their authority and when they asked, say yes in faith: trust God to give the message. It was amazing how God would speak to me when I did that.

“Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”xi The revelation of the dream came to Daniel because he acted in faith: four things Daniel did right. (1) He put himself on the line by saying he would get the answer from God while he still didn’t have it. (2) He went to God in prayer looking for the answer. (3) He involved fellow believers in the process with him. (4) He took to the king what God revealed to him; even though he did not have absolute proof that the king would recognize it as the dream and the right interpretation.

Leadership emerges in crisis. Were it not for the threat of Hitler and the crisis of World War II, you and I would probably not know the name Winston Churchill. Were it not for the crisis of segregation and discrimination in America, we would probably not know the name, Martin Luther King, Jr. Were it not for the crisis of British oppression and taxation of the early colonies, George Washington might have just been another wealthy farmer in Virginia.

When the crisis came in our text, Daniel knew God to be sufficient for any crisis. He knew God is able to do exceedingly, abundantly above all that we could ask or think.xii Therefore he responded to the crisis in faith. That response turned the crisis into an opportunity. Seizing the opportunity propelled Daniel forward in his destiny.

How will you respond to the pivotal moments that lay ahead in your life? It depends on the preparations you allow God to make now. It depends upon your understanding of God and His relationship with you. It depends upon a willingness to step forward in faith and trust God for a good outcome, even when others can’t see that possibility.

God Himself Placed Daniel in a Crisis; but He had already prepared him for that crisis; and therefore Daniel’s response to the crisis propelled him into his destiny for the days ahead.

The crucial preparation for Daniel was his devotion to God. Even as a boy, he committed himself to the Lord. Have you committed your life to the Lord? Are there spiritual preparations you need to make? Now is the time for those commitments; now is its own opportunity.