Daniel’s Testimony

Introduction:  I want to talk to you about Daniel and what others thought about him and his testimony to them.

We pick up his life in Daniel 6:1-2,1 It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom an hundred and twenty princes, which should be over the whole kingdom; 2 And over these three presidents; of whom Daniel was first: that the princes might give accounts unto them, and the king should have no damage

Darius was king over the Persian empire. The Jews had been in captivity and some of them were back home rebuilding the temple

So why did Darius put Daniel over his people as a president?

It was all about his testimony with God and every king he served under saw that testimony and like what they saw and use him

Lets take a look at what kind of testimony he had:

I.       The princes were out to get Daniel (Verse 4)

A.    There were 120 princes and 3 presidents, which Daniel was first.

1.     They did not like him.

2.     He was an outsider and not one of them

3.     They could not find something to complain about

a)     What a testimony!

B.    In verse 3 God tells us that Daniel was preferred above all

1.     Because he had excellent attitude toward all things

2.     He was filled with the Holy Spirit

3.     Daniel followed the things of God

4.     And because of his testimony the King set him above all the rest

II.     King Darius saw the testimony of Daniel

A.    The king like what he saw and trusted him with everything

1.     In verse 3 the king set Daniel over the realm

B.    Jump down to verse 13 tells us that Daniel prayed three times a day to God

1.     It was Daniel’s practice to pray to God 3 times a day. He had a relationship with his God

2.     Daniel keeps his testimony no matter what the problems are around him

3.     The princes and presidents had Darius make a royal statute that within 30 day no one could pray to any other God

C.    I want to note here that Daniel and all of the Jews are captives in another land at this time.

1.     Being in this situation Daniel continues to honor God in all that he does

2.     Daniel does not render evil for evil, but his relationship with God gives him gives him patience to endure and be a testimony to all men even his captors

3.     God teaches us here that we can be happy through the worst of problems, under the heaviest trials just as Daniel did during his time in captivity

III.    The King (who is not saved or knows about God) goes out of his way to help Daniel

A.    Look in verse 14

1.     First the king is displeased with himself

a)     He had made a law which he could not stop or broken

2.     Than the king sets his heart to deliver Daniel

a)     He labors all day to find a way (a loop whole) to get around the law

b)     But he could not find one

B.    The King tells Daniel that his God can delivery him

C.    Then we read in verse 18-19 that the King fasted, and that he did not sleep that night and rose up very early to go see if Daniel was still alive

Conclusion:

And finally, in verse 20 the King sees that Daniel is still alive and that his God saved him.

I like what it says in verse 23 “no manner of hurt was found upon him, because he believed in his God”

Remember, we all face problems each day. What will you do with these problems? Be a Daniel and trust God, He will deliver you in His way

Daniel did not tell God if you do this and this for me, I would serve you

Than in Daniel 6:25-28,25 Then king Darius wrote unto all people, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth; Peace be multiplied unto you. 26 I make a decree, That in every dominion of my kingdom men tremble and fear before the God of Daniel: for he is the living God, and stedfast for ever, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed, and his dominion shall be even unto the end. 27 He delivereth and rescueth, and he worketh signs and wonders in heaven and in earth, who hath delivered Daniel from the power of the lions. 28 So this Daniel prospered in the reign of Darius, and in the reign of Cyrus the Persian

What an ending, Daniel’s testimony and faith saves him and God blesses and others around him saw the Great God in heaven work and be glorified

That is what it is all about.

Here is something else to think about, the people who wanted Daniel dead and made a plan to have him put to death actually made the plan for their own death

Ladies and Gentlemen, God is in control, serve the living God

Sunday morning Biker Service 9/21/08