how did daniel prove his faith in god

Describe Daniel and his friends from information in Daniel 1. Fishing Pictures week ending June 8, 2014, Recreational Boating Safety Stand-Up Paddle Boards. - now, please think back to that situation I asked you about a moment ago.when you had an opportunity to take a stand for God this week. Yet skeptics today are questioning its accuracy and validity. - friend, let me ask you this.why did God want you to hear what weve just said? In some measure this must be true of every Christian who is determined to be faithful to the Lord. Zavada, Jack. God is the One who controls the future of this world and has the power to foretell future events. Daniel 9:1-23 Introduction As I was reading through a reprint of E.M. Bounds book, "Power Through Prayer," I was struck by the proverbial saying that "nothing really ever changes." E.M. Bounds served the Lord through the Civil War until his death in 1913. Let us consider the relationship between Daniels success and his faith in God. This is a story of both courage and bravery, but most of all, of faithfulness. Even though Daniel was an old man at the time, he refused to take the easy way out and abandon God. He and his wife, Kris, were married in 1982 and have two married daughters, a son, and five grandchildren. This faithhas powerful consequences according to the book of Daniel: What would it take to destroy your faith in God? Poor Daniel! While the Bible encourages us to be law-abiding citizens, some laws are wrong and unjust and are overruled by, Daniel was taken into captivity at the same time as. He does this three times a day, and today is no exception. "The Story of Daniel in the Lions' Den." He was the Prime Minister, and at this time he was between 80 and 90 years of age. It is actually life-threatening to kneel before anyone other than the king today. Pastor Viars leads and equips Faith Church as Senior Pastor with a focus on preaching and teaching Gods Word and using his organizational skills in guiding the implementation of the Faith Church mission and vision. . - the reason its so important is because we can learn how the people just prior to Christ interpreted the OT. At sundown, they threw Daniel into the den of lions. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); By Georgia Osten The 4th of July fell at an unusual time this year. 2) They changed his name to one that would have been very offensive to him..no resistance. I found myself going back to the scene of Daniel in the den of lions over and over. Looking up to heaven Accounts of these conflicts are found in the apocryphal book of 2 Maccabees. But the book clearly claims it was written by Daniel, who was taken captive from Jerusalem and wrote for many years during the sixth century B.C. Daniel's parents chose a Hebrew name for their son meaning "God is my judge," testifying of their faith in the one, true God. 2) Mammon, the god of wealth, the hoarding of resources, self-indulgence, shopping as a culturalpursuit, manipulative advertising, money as a taboo subject in the church. Lets face it. - did you have opportunities this week to do that?..we all did..howd you do? Imagine the results if Daniel had closed his windows to pray! - we said not only did he know when to take a stand but he knew how to take a stand. ), surnamed Epiphanes (God manifest) but called by his Jewish enemies Epimanes (madman). We do not know what tests of faith our children will have to face later in life. But revealing the future is what God does. Daniel was arrested and thrown into the lions' den. Bring forth your strong reasons, says the King of Jacob. It is surely impossible to be one-hundred-per-cent loyal to the Lord Jesus and to escape persecution - see 1 Peter 4:12-14. Remember, the book of Daniel was probably completed by 530 B.C., and this fourfold division of Alexanders empire occurred about 323 B.C. When we bow our knees to Him and decide that no matter what comes along, we will not abandon our God, then He rewards us richly. - in chapter 1 verse 8, Daniel takes a stand. In chapter four, Daniel used King Nebuchadnezzar's conversion to affirm that the repentant reap the rewards of grace, however bleak their pasts. But when Daniel was a young manaround 13 or 14Jerusalem was besieged by Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, and Daniel and many others were taken into captivity. Jesus Christ refers to this prophecy in Matthew 24:15, where he speaks specifically of Daniel the prophet foretelling the abomination of desolation. Historically, this is referring to Antiochus IV who attacked Jerusalem around 169 B.C. - but just before the time of Christ, a group of people translated the OT into Greek. Darius was the king of a new empire, Medo-Persia. Book of Daniel Overview - Insight for Living Ministries - so counseling becomes whatever is the latest fad of the day..like the Athenians in Acts 17 who spent their time in other other than telling or hearing some new thing. He later is called upon to interpret dreams and then honored by the king. Daniel was one of the young men taken back to Babylon to be trained as a civil servant. Look at verses 16 and 17. He ran into several trying situations that may have caused him to lose faith or bend from his beliefs, but Daniel stayed strong. - Nebuchanezzar took a group of the choice young people, along with some choice articles from the Jewish temple, and carted them back with him to Babylon. Read Daniels inspiring story about faith in God through all things. Christians throughout the world and through history have faced such persecution. Had Daniel been weak in the faith he would surely have given up his worship of God, his prayer habit of years, and he would have found some excuses for not obeying the dictates of his enemies, but he remained loyal in the hour of testing. The teaching and worship in some churches does not help. UBF Resources : Daniel's Life of Prayer / Daniel 6:1-28 So they tried to use Daniel's faith in God against him. Look at verse 22. All rights reserved. Daniel 2. In this study we will notice the faith of Daniel - the quiet trust that he had in his God! As they stand strong in the face of trails, they bear witness to the reality of their Lord and Savior. 1. Though we don't like to think about it, we all know the unthinkable can happen. - he asked permission to not have to eat the food..he addressed this commander with the word please. - hold on tight --- theres an important point to be made here. In 605 B.C., the Babylonians conquered Israel, taking many of its promising young men into captivity in Babylon. It is a man determined to serve the Lord, period! Are you putting your faith in God to rescue you? The record of this incident is a great strengthener to faith, it is a challenge to stand firm in a time of testing and trial, and it is a marvellous demonstration of the power of prayer. Ask, "What did Daniel prophesy would happen (Christ would die 483 years in the . - It looked like it was going to be the perfect weekend for this football great. The threat of an agonizing death did not change his trust in God. 6:1-28. Imagine getting such a message from heaven, "You are dearly loved! This has long been a beloved Bible story - and no wonder. Joy is for sharing. Antiochus IV was one of the cruelest rulers of all time. This conflict broke into open rebellion in 167 B.C. Daniel acted on the basis of deep faith and genuine commitment. He was fearless to stand up and speak out for what he believed, and Daniel was certainly favored by God. Larger deportations of hostages. Daniel's Holiness What a great verse this is! He rapidly conquered the Medo-Persian Empire and formed the Greco-Macedonian Empire. We should not missthe deeply political significance of the phrase Jesus is Lord. The chief of the eunuchs feared that the king would be dismayed at what appeared to be disobedience. His backbone and sense of loyalty to God earned him the position of leadership in a godless kingdom. God's people are in the minority because they are different. And made mention to the "kingdom which would never be destroyed" (v. 26). Who Was King Nebuchadnezzar in the Bible? He was from a family of high social status, strikingly handsome and intelligent. What Is the Bible's Definition of Temptation? Prophecy 1: Alexander the Great. What do you do when things just go horribly wrong? With God's help he stood for his convictions, revealed the meanings of dreams and won the respect and admiration of men even in thresholds of great power. 7 Fascinating Facts That Will Change How You Read the Book of Daniel - But later that evening, Eugene Robinson was arrested by the Miami police for soliciting a prostitute. a. Nebuchadnezzar the king made an image of gold: There is considerable debate regarding when this happened. In Daniel's response to the collapse of his own circumstances, we will learn what faithfulness to God looks like when the bottom does fall out. - are you purposing in your heart? They inspire and challenge us to also stand strong for God's truth and righteousness. Daniel acted on the basis of deep faith and genuine commitment. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego did not operate on the popular notion that faith is about having confidence in expected or desired outcomes. Daniel lived out this kind genuine holiness. Daniel overcame his difficulties because his integrity was founded on faith in God. Indeed you are nothing, and your work is nothing; he who chooses you is an abomination (Isaiah 41:21-24). Sunday school pictures of a ruddy-faced lad in a lions' den have scant resemblance to the actual situation described in this sixth and last chapter of Daniel's life story. - most of us, could take a lesson from him there. - and you could feel the pressure of the mold - someone was trying to make a a Babylonian out of you. salt. Then the large horn was broken and four notable ones came up in its place (verse 8). In this article we will see that the book of Daniel is a very inspiring book because of its fulfilled prophecies as well as its announcement that in the end God will establish His wonderful Kingdom. Here is a prophecy that has not yet been fulfilled, and yet it is the most important of all. Dare to have a firm purpose, and dare to make it known. Daniel relied on an Authentic Trust in God 1.1. small group of hostages when Nebuchadnezzar conquered Jerusalem for the first. Read Steve Viars Journey to Faith for the full account of how the Lord led Pastor Viars to Faith Church. 2:15 - to prove yourselves doers of the word and not hearers only - James 1:22 - to prove yourselves zealous for what is good - I Peter 3:13. We know that Daniel was taken to Babylon from Jerusalem with the relatively. - this principle helps us identify two clear extremes in this matter. - fret, fume, struggle and complain? In the same way, perhaps He has allowed you to be cast into the prison of ill-health, or loss, or sorrow, or some other testing. Nebuchadnezzar the king made an image of gold, whose height was sixty cubits and its width six cubits. We may not actually be promised atrouble-free and prosperous life or taught that setbacks are the result of our sin; but we may beencouraged to expect blessings as normal. So he shall return and show regard for those who forsake the holy covenant. Psalms 56:3,4 - Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You. - Quoting from James Davison Hunter, the author of the book Culture Wars, Pastor Henderson rightly pointed out that what divides us as a culture is not so much our views on abortion, homosexuality, euthanasia, or capital punishment.. - the real issue is our view of truth.. - whether absolute, final truth is revealed to human beings through an outside source. - or whether human beings have the ability to find fresh truth within themselves to apply to contemporary life. One of those men was Daniel. If you are not completely satisfied with the product you purchase, please. The doors of opportunity were obvious on every hand and Daniel used them all to glorify his Master. In Daniel's case, glorious gospel truths that have been building through the chapters describing his life in Babylon reach their climax. - this morning wed like to look at the life of a young man.probably a teenager.who was faced with a terrible trial.. - no parental accountability.great pressure to compromise..the desire by those around him to literally make a Babylonian out of him.. - but God enabled this young man to know how to take a stand. God actually allowed His servant to be put into the den, just as previously He had allowed Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego to be put into the fiery furnace (Daniel 3:17-23); just as He allowed Paul and Silas to be cast into prison (Acts 16:23-24); and just as He allowed Fanny Crosby, the hymn-writer, to spend ninety of her ninety-five years in blindness. I want to be that kind of servant, don't you? Daniel was uncompromising. And forces shall be mustered by him, and they shall defile the sanctuary fortress; then they shall take away the daily sacrifices, and place there the abomination of desolation.. Bill Jahns graduated from Ambassador College in 1969, and he has worked full time in the ministry since then. Learn Religions, Sep. 3, 2021, learnreligions.com/daniel-in-the-den-of-lions-700198. (1) The image is made and set up. Daniel learned of the decree but did not change his habit. - now, theres an obvious contrast going on in this text on this particular point. - now why was that? Daniel's history had been proof of it. Nebuchadnezzar gave orders to his servants and militia that they were to chose children in whom was no blemish (Daniel 1:4), but well-favored, and skillful in all wisdom, and cunning in knowledge, and understanding science, and such as had ability in them to stand (or serve) in the kings palace and whom they might teach the learning and the tongue of the Chaldeans. Speculation should always be taken with a big grain of. Is God able? - whats the answer? This prophecy is strong evidence that the Bible is true and that there is a God who controls the destiny of mankind. Daniel's enemies knew it would not take more than this to indict him. Daniel from a child loved God with all his heart and soul. Jack Zavada is a writer who covers the Bible, theology, and other Christianity topics. And God honored Daniel by giving him wisdom. For ships from Cyprus shall come against him; therefore he shall be grieved, and return in rage against the holy covenant, and do damage. This is one reason why I love Daniel and thank God for the example left to imitate. - so youve got the king of Judah on the one hand, despising and rejecting Gods Word, and this young teenager Daniel, loving and obeying Gods Word.and at the risk of his popularity, and his future, and his career, and his own life..was willing to stand up for Gods Word. It was great for Daniel to be the Prime Minister - but look at 2 Timothy 3:12. - thats why Paul said in Col. 4:6 - Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. - I believe that God gives us such opportunities all the timeto take a stand .to stand up for whats right.to do whats right..to prove our faith. - to prove that were his disciples - John 15:8 - to prove the good and acceptable and perfect will of God - Rom. - its time to purpose in your heart.. - its impossible to live like Daniel until you have established a personal relationship with God through trusting in the shed blood of Christ. - My friend David Henderson who pastors at Covenant Presbyterian wrote an article in the paper two weeks ago about the dividing line in our culture. - and he walks in the door and the house is a wreck, and the kids are screaming, and dinner hasnt been started. - now, whats the most important thing in this equation? Daniel, in his young wisdom, asked for a ten-day trial period of eating the diet he believed to be right for him consisting of vegetables and water. Prov 9:10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of Wisdom. "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. While we most often remember Daniel as the one in the lions' den, there was a lot more to his life. He served the God of heaven among a world of pagan idols and still the king rejoices over his deliverance. 10 Daniel always prayed to God three times every day. - eating this food would have been a violation of OT dietary laws, and it had probably been offered to their pagan gods.. - so on both counts, Daniel had a biblical reason not to participate.so what determined when Daniel took a stand and when he didnt was whether or not he was in danger of violating the Word of God. You have to ask yourself, What kind of man can accomplish so much and influence so many? Never! His depth and substance can surely be attributed to his regular, daily contact with God. Look at verse 20. Then to the mommy and daddy of the cute kids. Let us be given vegetables to eat and water to drink. Daniel and his friends faced two kinds of active persecution: the demand that they worshipanother god (ch. 1) They deported him to a foreign nation.no sign of resistance. - that principle has significant application to the growth process, or the sanctification process, or the biblical counseling process,,,, - the ideas you place in your heart are going to have a significant impact on your behavior. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your devices and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. - Last Sunday was the culmination of any football players dream. Wouldn't it be wonderful if all Christians today influenced others in the same way. Does the Big Bang Theory Require a Miracle? He went up to the upper room of his house and opened the windows that faced toward Jerusalem. Learn Religions. How many Christians today would just sit it out for the thirty days and wait for a more convenient time to worship? [contact-form-7 404 "Not Found"]. Dr. Steve Viars has served at Faith Church in Lafayette, IN since 1987. Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson. - but His will is the important thing. - but then they offered him their food ---- and he asked permission to not have to eat it. God hears the prayers of the faithful! Daniel 1 Holy people are powerful tools in the hands of God. Even though Daniel was an old man at the time, he refused to take the easy way out and abandon God. Show the things that are to come hereafter, that we may know that you are gods; yes, do good or do evil, that we may be dismayed and see it together. 1. Through the years I have found it comforting to spend some time getting to know this character better through the pages of the inspired record. The Story of Daniel in the Lions' Den. However, let me speculate. Do what Daniel did - trust in God; and do not be surprised that your faith is being severely tested. The key is not to put your focus on your situation but on your all-powerful Protector. - and the reason that is important is because thats so different than what many in our world would say. Please enter your email address to subscribe|Privacy Policy, Registered Charity in England and Wales, number 1125640 - Registed Charity in Scotland, number SC048506. You can find out more about our use, change your default settings, and withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future by visiting Cookies Settings, which can also be found in the footer of the site. It contains prophecies that are so precise that some who do not believe that God foretells the future cannot believe it was written in the sixth century B.C. In fact, Daniel was so honest and hardworking that the other government officialsthose who were jealous of himcould find nothing against him to cause him to be removed from office. Daniel had moral, as well as physical, courage. And in his upper room, with his windows open toward Jerusalem, he knelt down on his knees three times that day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as was his custom since early days. He set it up in the plain of Dura, in the province of Babylon. Let us have the same mindset as Daniel had, so that we pray to God every day for grace to be preserved in His will. This ruler of the Seleucid Empire was descended from one of Alexander the Greats generals. - by the way, this has huge implications to counseling. Sign up for our newsletter: Do we trust in God because things are going well, or in spite ofdifficulties and pressures? What would thirty days hurt? Because of Daniel's faith and influence the king issued a life-long decree, unchangeable. Used by permission. He called him the "living God, steadfast forever". But this one was kind of super cute. Reading Daniels entire story, we find that he was found faithful to what he believed and had been taught. This is still 100 years after the time liberal scholars suppose the book of Daniel was written. - and hes had a hard dayand he just wants some peace and quiet. - and he just wants to enjoy a nice dinner.and sit in his perfectly cleaned home.and just relax in his castle.

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