I. The example of Daniel
- Daniel was one of the first of the Jews to be taken into captivity.
- During his captivity he served under five kings.
- He was given a Babylonian name, Babylonian training, and a Babylonian job
- but he never forgot who he was or the God he served.
- Even under the Persian kings he was faithful.
II. Daniel in the Lion’s Den
- The character of Daniel: Daniel 6:1-4
III. The other satraps were jealous.
IV. The plotted to have him removed or killed.
- The decree of Darius: Daniel 6:7-9
- The law would be binding on all people and officials.
V. The law could not be changed.
- The actions of Daniel: Daniel 6:10
- This was his custom since the early days. He was doing what he had
- always done.
- The jealous officials told Darius who tried to deliver him, but could not.
- The king put him in the lion’s den but with the hope that God would
- deliver him.
- The salvation of Daniel 6:18-24
- Daniel was cast into the lion’s den because he chose to continue what he
- had set his mind to do since his earliest days.
VI. Daniel purposed in his heart
- The real strength of Daniel is that he purposed in his heart from his earliest
- days that he would serve God.
- It would have been easy to say “God has given up on us, I’m going
- to give up on Him.”
- Daniel realized that they were in captivity because of their
- It was promised in Deuteronomy 28.
- Daniel also realized that Isaiah prophesied that they would be
- brought back into the land after 70 years after they repented.
- It would have been easy for Daniel to say, “The Babylonians are the
- rulers, we will do whatever they say, even if it violates God’s law. I’m
- not going to rock the boat or push my religion on them.”
- They were still Jews and still were God’s covenant people and
- were to still obey him.
- Certainly many did conform to the Babylonian customs and
- turned back on the God of their fathers (remnant returned).
- Daniel decided instead to serve God even if he was not in Israel.
- Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not violated God’s dietary laws.
VII. Read Daniel 1:3-8 Summarize the rest
- It would be a simple thing to ignore such a “small” commandment of
- After all, it’s only food.
- The Jews had certain foods that were allowed and forbidden.
- Daniel would not defile (same as pollute, desecrate) himself.
- There are, of course, no small commandments.
- He did not defile himself and God blessed him and he was useful to God in
- carrying out great work for the Jews.
VIII. His friends purposed in their hearts.
- The friends of Daniel, whom we know best by their Babylonian names
- Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, also purposed in their hearts to
- serve God while in captivity.
- They also would not defile themselves with the king’s food.
IX. God blessed them as well, Daniel 1:19; 2:49.
- However, they could not be persuaded either by their new power and prestige
- to disobey God.
- The fiery furnace
X. The command: Daniel 3:1-6
- The men would not bow down and they were brought before the king.
XI. They remained faithful: Daniel 3:14-18
XII. God saved them: Daniel 3:22-23; 26-28
- When did they decide to do what was right?
- When the trumpets were blown? When the decree was given?
XIII. They determined to do what was right long before.
XIV. The same spirit is in Joshua.
- In his declaration towards the end of his life to the Israelites he urges them to
- make a decision to serve God or not: Joshua 24:15. His decision was made.
- Joshua made his decision long before, in his youth, and it was reflected in the
- faithful stand that he made with Caleb to be faithful to God.
XV. We must purpose in our heart to serve God.
- Too many people fall because they fail to make the decision and commitment
- to serve God, no matter what.
- Some will serve God but when problems come they fall, Mt. 13:20-21.
- Some wll serve God until the “king’s delicacies” and the cares of the
- world become more important: Mt 13:22; 19:21-22 (young ruler)
- The problems cause them to fall or the riches lure them away because
- they do not have the commitment to God.
- Luther Blackmon: Many people know what is right, but lack the conviction to
- make a firm decision and stick to it. Unlike Daniel, they are attracted by “the
- king’s dainties” that they are unable to “purpose in their hearts” with any firm
- As a result their religious life is a patchwork of frustration and failure.
- Too conscientious to enjoy living in sin, and too weak at heart to do anything
- much about it, they play around the edge, evidently hoping that the Lord is not
- going to give them what they deserve at the judgment. But I wouldn’t depend
- on that.”
- We must make a conscious decision to serve God despite the consequences,
- regardless of the circumstances, and whatever the cost.
- Luke 14:25-33 - We must evaluate the cost and determine if we will
- pay it or not.
- We cannot let our circumstances determine our faithfulness.
- Daniel in a foreign land.
- Company from out of town > forsake the assembly?
- Invite them!
- Show your commitment to God over them.
- Certain friends/places cause us to talk and act in a way that is
- not right? School situations?
- Philosophy class
- Girl hiding Bible
- Many of our life decisions will be made once we make that total commitment.
- When did you decide you were going to church this morning?
- Most people decided a long time ago?
- Will you actually have to make a decision tonight (Wednesday)
- or has that decision been made a long time ago?
- When did you decide how much you were going to contribute?
- We are commanded to “purpose” our giving, 2 Cor. 9:7
- Does that mean check the wallet in the morning to see what is
- there or a plan, a determined amount, to give?
- When will you decide whether you will drink or get drunk?
- At a bar where all your friends are ordering drinks?
- Did your decision to live soberly in all aspects of your life cause
- you to purpose that you would not even go into bars or get into
- situations where you would be tempted to drink?
- When do we decide not to commit fornication or adultery?
- When the situation is presented?
- Our decision must be made long before with our commitment
- to God and, when married, our commitment to our spouse.
XVI. Joseph is an example of this.
XVII. God knows best for us, we must trust this.
- If we wait until a temptation is presented to make a decision, we are
- likely going to fall into the snare of the devil.
- We must make the decisions with clarity of mind long before we
- find ourselves in difficult situation.
- If we plan in this way, we can even see situations develop that
- could lead us to sin and take a safe path.
- If we know our weaknesses we can take specific measures to
- make sure that we do not put ourselves into bad situations.