Faith in times of Crisis

Faith in a catastraphy

Opening story

Friends wife got a call that her grandparents and parents contracted COVID at a family gather

Flying to california to be with them as they recover

Her Grandfather progressed, hospitalized and eventually die

Her mother was hospitalized but was getting better and discharged

In the morning, she went to check on her mom after no response to her calls/text

no answer at the door

in through the window

found mother on bed and purple

performed CPR on her mother but she died

days later grandmother gets worse

Our worlds change in moments…our morning are normal and by evening we have a completely differnt life

lost loved ones

lost jobs

sudden moves

From community into isolation

Pandemic has left its mark on the world.

Question: How do you respond when the bottom falls out of your life?

What emotions do you experience?

What is your attitude and posture towards God?

How do you treat others?

When the Ground falls

Read Daniel 2:1-13

Key points

King won’t tell the dream to anyone to ensure the interpretation is true

Begins to kill off all the wise men of Babylon

Daniel and the 3 are confronted by the guards to be killed very hastily

Every human will have to respond to crisis. (this is not a lesson in crisis aversion)

The question we must wrestle with is how to deal with our crisis’

Caveat: as we get better at dealing with crisis the heat gets turned up!

If we don’t get better, the crisis can consume us

Crisis Response 1: Don’t forget to pray

Read Daniel 2:14-18

Crisis tend to give us the perception that

we have no time to act and we only can respond....Knee jerk recations

We are alone

What are elements of Daniel’s response to the command to kill all the wisemen of Babylon.

He bought time by going to the King (v.16)

He shared with friends (v.17)

Petitioned/prayed to God (v.18)

What does prayer signify in times of crisis

Confession of our need of God…the only one bigger than our problems

Confess of our weakness

We are unable to change our circumstance let alone a crisis

When we pray we affirm that we need and are depended on the resources and help of God

Question: With what we know about Daniel, apart from prayer, how could he have dealt with this situation?

leveraged his power and chief advisor

reasoned with the king for a different plan of action

Question: What resources do you tend to use in your own crisis?

Serves as a spiritual litmus test with regards to what difference we think God actualy makes in our lives.

Our faith is not a mental acknowledgement that we need/want/believe in God.

Our faith is a belief that is accompanied by an action.

Crisis Response 2: Praise

Daniel 2:19–23 NASB95

19 Then the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a night vision. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven; 20 Daniel said, “Let the name of God be blessed forever and ever, For wisdom and power belong to Him. 21 “It is He who changes the times and the epochs; He removes kings and establishes kings; He gives wisdom to wise men And knowledge to men of understanding. 22 “It is He who reveals the profound and hidden things; He knows what is in the darkness, And the light dwells with Him. 23 “To You, O God of my fathers, I give thanks and praise, For You have given me wisdom and power; Even now You have made known to me what we requested of You, For You have made known to us the king’s matter.”

Upon receiving the night vision of the interpretation Daniel praises God. Something difficult to do.

The interpretation of the dream does not guarantee Daniel life…Remember, Daniel is about to go and tell the king that his kingdom, while great (Gold head), will come to an end. Never an easy message to deliver to a narcissistic leader. (Remember Eli and Samuel)

Question: Why is praising God in the midst of a crisis difficult?

Nevertheless, Daniel praises God. Praise of God transitions our minds from the size of our problem to the sovereignty and greatness of God.

Daniel 2:21 NRSV

21 He changes times and seasons, deposes kings and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding.

It brings perspective to our problems.

Yes, King Neb can end my life with a blink but My God is far greater that Kings are like His pawns.

Crisis Response 3: To God be the Glory

Daniel has the opportunity to steal the glory from God, which is tempting because his life is hanging on the line.

Remember: Daniel is a captive from Judah, has a different belief from the inhabitants of Babylon…He is at risk.

Daniel 2:27–28 NASB95

27 Daniel answered before the king and said, “As for the mystery about which the king has inquired, neither wise men, conjurers, magicians nor diviners are able to declare it to the king. 28 “However, there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries, and He has made known to King Nebuchadnezzar what will take place in the latter days. This was your dream and the visions in your mind while on your bed.

Daniel 2:30 NASB95

30 “But as for me, this mystery has not been revealed to me for any wisdom residing in me more than in any other living man, but for the purpose of making the interpretation known to the king, and that you may understand the thoughts of your mind.

Daniel while interpreting does not cut corners when revealing the dream…He give King Neb perspective

Daniel 2:37 NASB95

37 “You, O king, are the king of kings, to whom the God of heaven has given the kingdom, the power, the strength and the glory;

Purpose behind the Crisis: God Gloryfied

To God be the Glory....To God Gloryfied!

Daniel 2:47 NASB95

47 The king answered Daniel and said, “Surely your God is a God of gods and a Lord of kings and a revealer of mysteries, since you have been able to reveal this mystery.”