God's Faithfulness to Daniel

Recap:

Last week we looked Daniel’s resolve and purpose in his heart to stay true to His God

Even though he was in captivity

Even though he was being taught and instructed in the ways of a pagan kingdom.

I would venture to say that Daniel’s resolve went as far as a willingness to die before going against the command of God

This was a no compromise

This was a not a chance that we were going to turn aside what he knew as right and good before God!

I want to say that this was a choice daniel made!

It is also a choice that each one of us are faced with every day of our lives

To resolve, or purpose in our hearts

To do this before the time comes when things are tough and difficult

Becuase if we wait that long then the reality is that we will more than likely cave

The patter of being fathful and true to God has to be established long before we ever face hardship and diffictulty

Because when you look at life and the choices we make, seldom do we make choices on a whim and fancy, really we make our choice based upon the patterns and convictions that we have set up before we have to make that choice

But what we saw as we finished out our section in chapter 1 last week:

Daniel and his friends wer faithful to God and His commands

So God was faithful Daniel and His friends

Giving them a healthier appearance before the Cheif of Eunuchs

On only vegetables they were in better shape then those who had the best of the kings table offered to them.

Like I said I believe in miracles too!

Bu the principle applies to us today as well

If we are faithful and obedient to God

God will be faithful to us!

Introduction:

In our cultuer today we assume that if God is faithful to us, that if God is blessing us then it should look a certain way, don’t we?

Maybe in the form of good health and no sickness

Maybe it is the form of financial security

Maybe it is with nice material thing

There are many more that we can add to this list!

And I want to be clear that there times where these things are the blessing and faithfulness of God in our lives

But that doesn’t everyone

And it doesn’t mean all the time.

So what does God’s faithfulness look like?

What does it mean for us this morning that God is faithful?

How do we apply that trugth in our lives today?

God is Faithful:

What we need to know this morning is that God doesn’t just show himself faithful occasionally.

God’s faithfulness is part of who He is, It is part of His character!

Psalm 25:8–10 ESV

8 Good and upright is the Lord; therefore he instructs sinners in the way. 9 He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble his way. 10 All the paths of the Lord are steadfast love and faithfulness, for those who keep his covenant and his testimonies.

As God is Love, So God is faitfhul!

It is sure as the sun rising and setting

Sure as shooting God is faithful

Faithful do do what he says

Faithful to fulfill all His promises

Faithful to his children

To love them

To chastise them

To bless as they obey as He sees fit

This is what we see with Daniel and his friends after Daniel showed remained faithful to God during what was a difficult challenge to their faith!

God’s Faithfulness takes different forms!

Daniel 1:17 ESV

17 As for these four youths, God gave them learning and skill in all literature and wisdom, and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.

Check that out!

Becuase of their faithfulness to God God gave them:

Learning and skill

In literature - Skill in the understanding of culture and history

Wisdom - The ability to apply knowledge or experience or understanding or common sense and insight.

Daniel had understanding in vision and dreams

Daniel had teh ability to udnerstand in interpret dreams

This would be a very valuable skill later when he is called upon by Nebuchadnezzar who is troubled by his dreams

I think we need to be intellectually and spiritually honest when we look at this verse!

God’s faithfulness to these men was his preparation for somthing greater

God was preparing them for what he had to them while simultaneously blessing them for theif faithfulness to Him.

The Bible Knowledge Commentary 1:17

These four … men being prepared by Nebuchadnezzar for positions of responsibility in the royal court were actually being prepared by God. For God gave them knowledge and understanding in many realms. “Knowledge” has to do with reasoning skills and thought processes. They were able to think clearly and logically. “Understanding” has to do with insight. This points up their ability to discern the nature of things clearly and to interpret them in their true light. The literature and learning in which God gave them ability was broad (cf. comments on v. 4). By divine enablement and through his years of instruction under able teachers, Daniel gained a wide knowledge of arts and sciences.

That is why we can say that God’s blessing and faithfulness to us doesnt always look the same for everyone!

God blesses us and is faithful to us in differnt ways becuase he is preparing us for what he has for us!

God’s Faithfulness on Display for all to see!

Daniel 1:18–20 ESV

18 At the end of the time, when the king had commanded that they should be brought in, the chief of the eunuchs brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar. 19 And the king spoke with them, and among all of them none was found like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. Therefore they stood before the king. 20 And in every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the king inquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters that were in all his kingdom.

When I read verses like this I always get a smile on my face!

Because when God shows up, when God works, When God does what God does, it always makes the competeition look like children!

Put to the test:

Daniel 1:18 ESV

18 At the end of the time, when the king had commanded that they should be brought in, the chief of the eunuchs brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar.

At the end of the three years of learning Babylonian culture and ways the king wanted to see how his investment into these young men turned out!

Which makes sense if you are Nebuchadnezzar:

You were preparing these young men for service in your court

You were preparing them to advise you on important issues

You want to know that they would be able to do the job well!

So Nebuchadnezzar called the chief of the Eunuchs to bring them before them

The Test Results Came Back:

Daniel 1:19 ESV

19 And the king spoke with them, and among all of them none was found like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. Therefore they stood before the king.

He put their knowledge to the test

He gave them situation and asked how they would advice

He gave them scenarios and asked what they woudl do and what they woudl adavise

He effectively ran them through the ringer!

It is in situations like this that you realize that your intellect is not what brings you through but your faith!

Faith in a loving and gracious God

Faith in the provision of God in that moment

Faith in the plan and purpose of God for your life

We can have faith because He is first faithful to us!

And as we look here we see that the king was impressed, that is they passed with flying colors!

God’s Faithfulness on Full Display:

Daniel 1:20 ESV

20 And in every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the king inquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters that were in all his kingdom.

When Nebcghadnezzar tested them he found them not to be adequate, but to be 10 times better than the competition!

10 times better in every matter of wisdom

10 times better in every matter of understanidg

10 times better than all the magicians and enchanter in all the kingdom

Like I said I smile when I read thing like this

Magicians and enchanters were often the pagan kings go to for wisdom because of their supposes connection to the supernatural

But Daniel and the other were in a relationship with the God who created all, knows all, is in all, and through all

Who did you think was going to come out on top in this battle

Not those who sought after demonic and satanic inlflence to sway their decisions.

But that day, in the kings court, God was on full display

His mercy

His grace

His faithfulness

Concluding Thoughts:

God is Faitfhul who called you:

1 Thessalonians 5:23–24 ESV

23 Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.

God is faithful when we need Him:

Hebrews 2:17–18 ESV

17 Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. 18 For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.

God is faithful in our suffering for His name sake:

1 Peter 4:16–19 ESV

16 Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name. 17 For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18 And “If the righteous is scarcely saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?” 19 Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.

God will never leave nor forsake you:

Deuteronomy 31:6 ESV

6 Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.”

Hebrews 13:5 ESV

5 Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”