This last stanza says this,
I will boast ever only in the Lord my God,
is to glory by God and to be satisfied with Him forever.
And so for those of us who are believers,
those of us who call ourselves followers of Christ,
this really is the objective.
The objective that our life is lived to the glory of God.
And so what happens is,
if God's glory is our objective,
regardless of what happens to us,
then we consider it to be good.
As we've been working our way through the book of Daniel,
we find ourselves this morning in Daniel chapter 6.
And I would encourage you to open up your Bibles,
if you would please, to Daniel 6.
If you're using the pew Bibles, that's on page 743.
We continue to follow this story in the life of Daniel,
and we're kind of coming to the end of this narrative section in Daniel,
and we're going to be wrapping up this study, this series,
next week as we finish Daniel chapter 6.
But this morning what we're going to find
is that Daniel wears this truth,
that he boasts ever only in the Lord.
And because of that,
whatever happens to Daniel,
Daniel sees as good.
Whether he's in positions of authority,
positions of title,
positions of prominence,
positions of influence,
or whether he's in the background.
Daniel is convinced in his heart
that whatever God decides for him
is good for him
because he's living for the sake of God's glory.
We come to this last chapter
in the narrative sections of Daniel,
and we find another transition,
a major shift has taken place
where up until this point,
Babylon, the empire of Babylon,
has really been in the front,
has been in the forefront of our attention.
And now all of a sudden,
this massive shift has taken place,
and another kingdom will come,
and another king will take the throne.
Cyrus is now on the scene.
This media Persian empire will come into view.
And we'll continue to see that
while kingdoms come and go,
somehow God's servant
as a representative of the eternal kingdom of God
will remain.
We're going to see this lasting quality
of the kingdom of God that is present.
Daniel, we saw it promoted
under the reign of King Nebuchadnezzar.
In Daniel chapter 2, 48, it says,
he was given to be ruler
over the whole province of Babylon
and chief prefect
over all the wise men of Babylon.
Then Daniel kind of fades into the background,
and for 23 years,
he's kind of anonymous,
and then Belshazzar finally needs
some help in his desperate time
of interpreting a writing on the wall.
Daniel is called up,
and for the next couple of hours,
he's promoted to be number three
in the Media Persian Empire,
third ruler in the kingdom.
Now, here we are in Daniel chapter 6.
He's promoted again.
We're going to find that he will be
the chief civil official
over the entire kingdom,
the entire empire of Media Persia.
What was Daniel's secret to success?
What in the world did Daniel do?
What was his strategy
to keep finding himself
at the very top of the list
of officials who are just under the king,
providing this authority
and oversight over the entire region,
over the entire empire?
How does he keep finding himself
in these places?
Well, if you were to follow
the strategy of culture,
we would find ourselves,
and Daniel would find himself
looking out for number one,
that he would do whatever it would take
to get himself into positions of authority,
whatever it takes to get ahead.
You have to care about yourself.
The ends justify the means.
You've heard the phrases,
it's a dog-eat-dog world,
or nice guys finish last,
or if you want something,
then you've got to go for it.
That's what our culture would say.
But this isn't the practice
that we find so infused
into Daniel's normal way of living.
Rather, it's the spirit of this age,
the spirit of this world
that is captured in a poem
that you may be familiar with
called Invictus
that was written by
William Ernest Henley
who lived in the late 1800s.
And he's writing this poem
as one who's experienced
great adversity in his life,
and he speaks in this final stanza
about standing before the judgment seat
in heaven,
this straight and narrow gate,
the book of life is read,
and listen to what he says
in this final stanza
of this poem Invictus.
It matters not how straight the gate,
how charged with punishments the scroll.
I am the master of my fate.
I am the captain of my soul.
The future is yours for the taking.
Just grab it by the horns
and you can have it.
It's a truth that our,
or it's one of those things
that our culture would like us to believe,
and perhaps a strategy
that many of us have even employed
in our own practices
throughout life
and seeking to get and gain attention
and promotion
in the various places we find ourselves.
Daniel seems to be unconcerned
about power,
position,
or title,
or prominence.
Daniel seems to be completely engaged
and secure
in God's plan for his life.
He's trusting in God
and we see this flourishing
of excellence,
of character in Daniel.
Daniel is so committed to God
and he rests in the fact
that God will instrumentally
put Daniel at the right place
in the right time.
This is the theme
that consistently we see
throughout the scripture.
This is the way for success
of the leaders
who follow after God.
Humility and faithfulness
is the key to usefulness.
Humility and faithfulness
is the key to usefulness.
Remember Abraham.
It's said of Abraham
in Deuteronomy chapter 7,
I didn't choose him
because he was the greatest
of all the peoples.
I chose him
because he was the fewest.
I chose him
to allow my glory
to shine
through his weakness.
And Joseph,
who was sold into slavery
and then rose
within the ranks
of Potiphar's house
and then he's thrown
into prison
and he rises
within the ranks
of that prison cell
and then he's elevated
to be the second
in charge
of all of Egypt.
Moses,
who,
when he takes
the reins
and he pushes through
and he seeks
to have his own way,
well,
what happens to Moses?
Well,
he gets kicked out of Egypt.
He gets sent into Midian.
He's in the backside
of a desert
in isolation
until finally,
after 40 years,
the lesson has been
cemented in his heart.
this lesson of humility,
this lesson of needing
to be faithful to God
and then finally,
God can put him
to work in usefulness
to lead his people
out of Egypt.
How about David,
the shepherd boy,
who is the last
among even his brothers
of being chosen,
forgotten,
but growing in humility
and faith.
Then we turn
to the New Testament
and we see
John the Baptist,
the man who was clothed
in camel's hair,
ate locusts
and wild honey
and was out
in the wilderness,
isolated,
alone.
How about Mary?
How can we forget
God's servant,
Mary?
Humble servant
who is faithful
to the Lord.
Do to me
as what seems good
in your sight,
she says
to the angel Gabriel.
Or the apostles
who are uneducated men,
part of the riffraff
of society,
chosen by Christ
to be useful for him.
We see this theme
in 2 Timothy 2,
verses 20 and 21,
where Paul writes
to Timothy and says,
Now in a great house
there are not only
vessels of gold
and silver,
but also of wood
and clay,
some for honorable use,
some for dishonorable.
Therefore,
if anyone cleanses
himself
from what is dishonorable,
he will be a vessel
for honorable use,
set apart as holy,
useful to the master
of the house,
ready for every good work.
You see that?
In order to be useful,
in order for God
to put you into work,
in order for God
to call you up
and to place you
into his service,
there needs to be
this quality
of obedience
and righteousness
and purity
of heart,
at least pursuing
that as a pattern
of your life,
a desire to put off
what is dishonorable,
to put on what is honorable
before God
and then,
when you are ready
for every good work,
you can guarantee
that God will put you
to work.
Do we trust in God
to put us
in the right place
at the right time?
or are we the master
of our fate,
the captain
of our soul?
What will it be?
As we've looked
at the story of Daniel,
we've seen a man
who is so committed
to dwelling in submission
to God
and faithfulness to him
and trusting
in God's providence
to put him
in the right place
at the right time.
This morning,
we turn to Daniel chapter 6
and we have
this transitional statement
at the end
of Daniel chapter 5
where we find
that very night,
Belshazzar,
the Chaldean king,
was killed
and Darius the Mede
received the kingdom
being about 62 years old.
Records from history
would indicate
that Cyrus the Great
would invade
the empire of Babylon
and achieve a major victory
on October 10,
539 B.C.
A victory in the city
of Sippar.
Two days later,
his commander
would ride into Babylon
on October 12
and would take the city
without a fight.
This would happen
because the armies
of Persia
would divert
the Euphrates River
and would be able
to walk under
the walls of the city
and take the city
without a fight
while all the generals
were partying
with the king
and blowing their minds
in drunkenness.
The armies of Persia
would walk
under the walls
and without even a fight
would take the city.
The Nabonidus Chronicle
would help us understand
that on October 29,
Cyrus the Great himself
would march
into the city
and he would be met
by a group
of individual citizens
of Babylon
who would actually
celebrate his arrival
and receive him
as their king.
The clear message
throughout the book
of Daniel
is that God
raises up rulers
and puts rulers down.
Nebuchadnezzar himself
will say in Daniel
chapter 4,
verse 35,
he says,
all the inhabitants
of the earth
are accounted
as nothing.
He does according
to his will
among the hosts
of heaven
and among the inhabitants
of the earth
and none can stay
his hand
or say to him,
what have you done?
God is the one
as we see
throughout this book.
God is the one
who raises up leaders
and who puts them down.
You can't chalk it up
to Cyrus' military genius.
You can't chalk it up
to the foolishness
of Belshazzar.
You can chalk it up
to the sovereignty
of God
and speaking his plan
into place
and then working it through.
After all,
it was God
who 60 years earlier
had given a dream
to Nebuchadnezzar.
This dream
of this image,
this head of gold,
these shoulders
of silver
that represented
the media Persian empire.
God himself
had declared
60 years before
exactly what would happen
on this night,
October 12th,
539 B.C.
And then
150 years
before this occasion,
God would actually
name Cyrus
as his servant
in Isaiah chapter 44
verse 28.
it says,
who says of Cyrus,
he is my shepherd.
He shall fulfill
all my purposes,
saying of Jerusalem,
she shall be built
and of the temple
your foundation
shall be laid.
150 years
before Cyrus
would even emerge
onto the scene,
before Cyrus'
great,
great grandpa
would be in his prime,
God himself
would name Cyrus
through his prophet Isaiah
and said,
he will be
the one.
And he will be the one
not only to emerge
as king,
but he will be the one
to send
the exiles home
and be instrumental
in allowing them
to build the temple.
Again,
God did that.
We find in the next chapter,
Isaiah 45 verse 1,
thus says the Lord
to his anointed,
to Cyrus,
whose right hand
I have grasped
to subdue nations
before him
and to loose
the belts of kings
to open doors
before him
that gates may not
be closed.
And then in verse 4
it goes on,
for the sake
of my servant Jacob
and Israel
my chosen,
I call you by name.
I name you
though you do not know me.
I am the Lord
and there is no other.
Besides me
there is no God.
I equip you
though you do not know me
that people may know
from the rising of the sun
and from the west
that there is none beside me.
I am the Lord
and there is no other.
There is no other
explanation
for the fact
that Isaiah
was able to name
this distant king
who by the way
the media Persian empire
wasn't even
in the works
at that point.
Here God
names Cyrus
and says exactly
what he will do
through his reign
in allowing the people
of Israel
to come and return
back to Israel
and be instrumental
in establishing
their tabernacle,
their temple.
God is the one
who raises up kings
and puts them down.
God is the one
who raises up
his servants
and uses them
and puts them in place.
He uses them
instrumentally
to accomplish
his purposes.
Do we trust
in the sovereignty
of God?
God is the one
who is the one
who is in the driver's
seat of history.
He is the one
who is the captain
of this history
ship
as it were.
He is the one
who will use
his servant Daniel
instrumentally
time and time again
to point
to his glory
to point
to his power.
So if you're there
with me
in Daniel chapter 6
let me read for you
the first three verses.
We're going to begin
to see throughout
our lesson this morning
throughout this passage
that it is God
who exalts Daniel.
It is God
who is the working
force behind
Daniel's promotion.
Daniel chapter 1
verse 1
says this.
6 verse 1
says this.
It pleased Darius
to set over the kingdom
120 satraps
to be throughout
the whole kingdom
and over them
three high officials
of whom Daniel
was one
to whom these satraps
should give account
so the king
might suffer
no loss.
Then this Daniel
became distinguished
above all the other
high officials
and satraps
because an excellent
spirit was in him
and the king
planned to set him
over the whole
kingdom.
God is the one
who exalts
Daniel.
And this first point
this morning is
it's not dependent
on Daniel's
connections.
Daniel isn't
networking.
Daniel doesn't
have a linked
in account.
Daniel isn't
trying to pull
his connections
or pull the strings
in some way.
Daniel is so
committed to the
timing of God
and God putting
him into place
that Daniel is
completely secure
in God's plan
for his life.
Daniel is trusting
in God to put him
in the right place.
And Daniel's role
in the Babylonian
empire could have
actually been a
liability in the
sense that because
he had connections
and had loyalty
to the empire
of Babylon
he could have
been a threat.
But even in
the face of that
it is Daniel
that we'll see
through our passage
that gets promoted
into this place.
Darius seeks to
establish his rule
over this new
kingdom.
and he establishes
it through these
120 satraps.
A satrap is kind
of like a governor
who is able to
wield considerable
amount of power.
During the Babylonian
rule satraps
we've seen them
before in the
book of Daniel
but satraps
under Nebuchadnezzar's
rule had kind
of a dual
responsibility
of overseeing
not only the
civilian life
but also
military affairs.
But under
Persian rule
and especially
under King Cyrus'
power
the authority
of satraps
was kind of
narrowed
to focus
on civilian
affairs.
And these
satraps
were set
over the
kingdom
to be
throughout
the entire
kingdom
we see
in verse 1.
About 50
years later
during the
media Persian
empire
we read
in the book
of Esther
chapter 1
verse 1
now in the
days of Ahasuerus
the Ahasuerus
who reigned
from India
to Ethiopia
over 127
provinces.
This is the
same kingdom
that we're
speaking about
only now
that 50
years have
transpired
there's more
land in
control.
But at the
height of
the media
Persian empire
2.1
million
square miles
were within
their domain.
2.1
million
square miles.
This graphic
will show you
it stretched
from the
Balkans
in Egypt
west
to the
Indus
valley.
It included
West Asia
and parts
of Africa.
At its
peak
the media
Persian
empire
oversaw
44%
of the
world's
population.
Almost
50%
of the
world's
population
were under
the control
of the media
Persian
empire.
These
provinces
which were
127
during
Ahasuerus'
reign
and likely
around
120
during
Cyrus'
reign
would
exercise
authority
over these
either small
like countries
or regions
or large
states.
These high
officials
which were
also designated
kind of
governors
or presidents
three of
them would
oversee
these
satraps.
And the
purpose of
this administrative
structure is
found for us
in verse
2.
Notice
so that
the king
might suffer
no loss.
This will
be important
for us
next week.
So that
the king
might suffer
no loss.
Essentially
might suffer
no loss
in relationship
to revenue
but also
civilian affairs
and civil
obedience
and showing
concern for
the welfare
of the people.
Whatever
leadership
needed to be
exercised
in this
vast empire
in a civilian
kind of
way
these
presidents
or governors
or officials
or satraps
were in
charge
of ensuring
the peace
and stability
of this
empire.
The Persian
kingdom was
known for
its humanitarian
face.
History would
even suggest
that the
people of
Babylon
actually
celebrated
the coming
of Cyrus
the Great
and proclaimed
himself
king
of Babylon.
Cyrus
Cylinder
portrays
the victorious
Cyrus
as pleasing
the Babylonian
god
Marduk
and it
deliberately
shows
Cyrus
that he
improved
the lives
of the
citizens.
He
repatriated
displaced
people
meaning
those who
had been
transported
from other
countries
he sent
them back
and he
restored
the temples
in cult
sanctuaries.
King Cyrus
was a notable
ruler
a well-celebrated
ruler.
We see
Daniel rising
to power
not because
of his
connections
but we
find in
verse 3
it was
because
of Daniel's
distinctive
character
his distinctive
!
character is
what we see
here in
verse 3
notice
So how
does Daniel
keep finding
his way
to the top?
Not because
of positioning
himself for
success
not because
of compromising
his convictions
not because
of
convincing
resume
or pulling
the right
strings
in his
network
or selling
out his
opponents
Daniel was
one who
was aligned
to his
God
we see
this
distinctive
character
an excellent
spirit
was in
him
it was
clear
that Daniel
was different
from the
others
because
Daniel's
humility
and
faithfulness
positioned
him for
usefulness
his humility
his faithfulness
positioned him
for usefulness
Daniel had a
posture
of service
you've heard
the phrase
nice guys
finish last
well they
haven't met
Daniel
Daniel was
distinguished
this is a
word in
the Aramaic
that describes
the intensive
reflexive
aspect of
this condition
this character
meaning
this was
something that
Daniel strove
hard at
this was
something that
he worked
very hard
to refine
his character
he was
introspective
in growing
in relationship
to God
his character
to being
refined
this word
distinguished
is having
a reputation
of excellence
it's to be
preferred
it's to show
oneself
prominent
Daniel
distinguished
himself
among the
others
because of
his
exceptional
qualities
his spirit
or his
good attitude
his abilities
he was
obviously
in touch
with the
gods
and of
course
in touch
with
the
God
of
heaven
God
put him
right
where
he
wanted
and Darius
would
recognize
this
everything
that
Daniel
does
in managing
this business
or managing
this empire
these responsibilities
that he has
demonstrates
one of
skill
Daniel's
work ethic
is unmatched
the efficiency
of his team
the way
he conducts
his business
the decisions
that he makes
his effectiveness
the unified
spirit of those
that he's working
with
his attention
to detail
his genuine
concern for people
his understanding
his recall
of conversations
his ability
to know policies
and how to get
things done
all the things
that you would
expect
in a manager
of a major
business
Daniel brought
to the table
in excess
Daniel was
skilled
in every way
even
at age
80
85
Daniel
was mentally
sharp
he seemed
to have
endless
energy
an ability
to manage
large amounts
of data
to gain
the respect
of brilliant
and sophisticated
leaders
he made
decisions
definitively
he was able
to stir
the confidence
of his team
to be seen
as a
people's
man
Daniel
has gone
the distance
because of
his character
in pursuing
the things
of the Lord
and Daniel
became distinguished
above all the
other high officials
because
an excellent
spirit
was in him
understand this
it was Daniel's
character
that positioned
him
for this
role of
leadership
God
put him
into place
because he
saw in Daniel
one
who loved
him
who obeyed
him
who was
faithful
so God
in the one
who can
raise up
leaders
and put
them down
instrumentally
puts Daniel
in his place
in this place
of a leadership
and position
of influence
so the king
planned to set
him over
all the kingdom
we see
in verse
three
now
when God
puts
his man
in place
we often
find
there are
enemies
that come
to seek
to destroy
God's
plans
and we
turn to
verse four
that's exactly
where we find
God's enemies
plot
to destroy
Daniel
God's enemies
plot to destroy
Daniel
notice in verse
four
then the high
officials
and sat
traps
sought to
find a
ground
for complaint
against
Daniel
with regard
to the
kingdom
but they
could find
no ground
for complaint
or any
fault
because he
was faithful
and no error
or fault
was found
in him
then these
men said
we shall
not find
any ground
for complaint
against Daniel
against this
Daniel
unless we
find it
in connection
with the law
of his God
this word
sought to find
is again
intensive
in action
and it
conveys this
ongoing
strategy
of seeking
to uncover
whatever they
can to
expose Daniel
as one
who is
unfit
for this
position
for us
who are
now living
in this
in an
election
year
we can
understand
a little
bit
about
this
tactic
for the
candidates
who are
running
everything
is scrutinized
in order
to find
a way
to discredit
to undermine
to expose
to call
into question
so that
every word
every decision
every conversation
every interaction
with others
every judgment
every result
of leadership
every suspicion
of integrity
is called
into question
did he take
a bribe
did he change
his position
has his life
included any
indiscretion
has he broken
or twisted
any of the
rules
no doubt
no stone
was uncovered
to explore
and investigate
Daniel's life
records
that were
checked
interactions
were evaluated
and for 120
governors
who had
unrestricted
access
to all
of the
paperwork
you can bet
they checked
it all
and yet
the result
is no ground
for complaint
was found
in Daniel
no fault
because
he was faithful
and again
this word
faithful
is a word
that's in
this continuous
action
of Daniel
who is
demonstrating
a character
of life
that is so
committed
and faithful
no error
or fault
was found
in him
here he is
at age 90
we begun
to see
Daniel
at the beginning
of this book
as a young
teenager
and through
the course
of his life
the integrity
has demonstrated
a commitment
to God
at every
stage of life
and here he is
towards the end
here he is
towards the finish
line
as it were
and the
legacy of his
life has
demonstrated
a commitment
to God
in every
course
so that in
Daniel chapter
6 5
they say
we shall
not find
any ground
for complaint
unless
we find it
in connection
with the law
of his God
Daniel's
humility
and faithfulness
established him
or set him
up for usefulness
and now here
it begins
to preserve
him
the defamation
the shame
that they sought
to bring on
Daniel
was preserved
because of
integrity
because of a
commitment
to follow
after the Lord
so faithful
he was
as an official
so dependable
so precise
so skilled
so thorough
and yet so
committed
and devoted
to worship
and trust
and obedience
to God
the only way
they're going
to ruin
Daniel
is to bring
him down
in relation
to his
consistent
faithful
example
in following
after
the God
of heaven
so we find
in verses
69
their manipulative
decree
we find
their plan
is now coming
to fruition
notice
then these
high officials
and satraps
came by
agreement
to the king
and said to him
oh king
Darius
live forever
all the high
officials of the
kingdom
the prefects
and the satraps
the counselors
and the governors
are agreed
that the king
should establish
an ordinance
and enforce
an injunction
that whoever
makes petition
to any god
or man
for 30 days
except to you
oh king
shall be cast
into the den
of lions
now oh king
establish the injunction
and sign the document
so that it cannot
be changed
according to the law
of the Medes
and the Persians
which cannot be
revoked
therefore king
Darius
signed the document
and the injunction
right there
at the beginning
they came
by agreement
this Aramaic
word agreement
is actually
a word
that means
to tumult
or to be
tumultuous
or to be
thronging
and essentially
it provides
this idea
that they're
coming as a mob
they're amped up
they're agitated
you can tell
they are
really revved up
about this
injunction
and they're
coming
by agreement
to try
to take
Daniel down
they make
this
they offer
this
decree
or this
suggestion
that
for the next
30 days
anyone who
makes a petition
to any other
god
should suffer
some consequences
this word
to make a request
really alludes
to what a priest
would do
and kind of
being a mediator
as it were
for worship
so across
the kingdom
the idea
would be
that anyone
whatever god
that they are
worshiping
would come
and present
to Cyrus
or to Darius
here
would present
kind of
their petitions
before him
and he would
act as a mediator
to their gods
one commentator
says thus
Darius
was not
proclaiming
himself
to be god
during this
30 day period
but was acting
as a mediator
for the gods
of all the nations
subject
to him
as a means
of proving
loyalty
in this
transition
of power
it was a logical
step to take
much like what
Nebuchadnezzar did
at the very beginning
of his reign
in setting up
the golden image
and kind of
asking
all of the
officials
of the land
to come
and to pledge
their allegiance
their loyalty
in this show
of worship
there before
the image
so these men
come before
the king
they act
as this
representative
body
it kind of
brings
some force
this collective
opinion
as it were
they're appealing
to his sense
of leadership
of course
it made sense
nationally
for him
to do this
they also
appealed
to his pride
it made sense
to him
personally
kind of
buttered him
up
as it were
and they
carefully
set a brief
window
which makes
it seem
as a reasonable
request
it convinced
him
that the
consequences
should be
severe
that
whoever
breaks
this law
this decree
would be
cast
into the
lion's den
and finally
they cement
it with
this document
this recommendation
for an
unbreakable
ordinance
or a decree
and it seems
that they come
prepared
notice verse 8
now oh king
establish this
injunction
and sign
the document
so that it
cannot be
changed
it seems
as though
the document
had been
written
it seems
as though
they came
prepared
they're ready
for this
immediate
response
this knee-jerk
response
from the king
all the paperwork
is ready
and the king
before he knew
it signs
this decree
now how
will Daniel
respond
how will
Daniel's
character
his submission
and faithfulness
to God
how will
it play out
well we see
that in verses
10 to 13
where we see
God's servant
in action
now in the
remaining parts
of our
of our text
actually moving
to verse 16
notice verse 10
it says this
when Daniel
knew
that the document
had been signed
he went to his
house
where he had
windows in his
upper chamber
open towards
Jerusalem
he got down
on his knees
three times
a day
and prayed
and gave
thanks
before his
God
as he had
done
previously
Daniel
is a man
of action
Daniel
heard
and prayed
here in
verse 10
a man
of action
who heard
and prayed
Daniel
is one
who seems
to always
know
the right
thing
to do
next
he is
one
who is
driven
by this
sense
of conviction
there seems
to be
this certainty
there seems
to be
this decisiveness
he always
seems to be
clear headed
and exactly
know
what's next
the document
is signed
and it seems
without hesitation
Daniel
is on his
way
this impulse
of his
life
in going
home
to pray
this was
not
an act
of defiance
this was
not a
statement
of civil
disobedience
this was
not a
show
of protest
notice
this is
something
that he
had done
previously
this is
something
that had
been built
in to
the rhythm
of his
life
this expression
of constant
worship
before the
Lord
this custom
of turning
to God
in prayer
turning his
face towards
Jerusalem
as Solomon
during the
dedication
of the
temple
had encouraged
those who
were experiencing
discipline
repeatedly
he says
Solomon
throughout his
prayer
in 2nd
Chronicles
chapter 6
he says
when they
come and
pray towards
this place
then hear
from your
dwelling
and maintain
their cause
Daniel
faithfully
praying
towards
Jerusalem
doing this
three times
a day
likely doing
it during
the third
and sixth
hours
and the
ninth
hour
praying
during the
morning and
evening
sacrifices
and then
praying
during the
midday
as David
does in
Psalm
55
verse 17
it says
evening
and morning
and noon
I utter
my complaint
and moan
and he
hears
my voice
but notice
how Daniel
begins
this prayer
notice what
it says
towards the
end of verse
10
he got
down on
his knees
three times
a day
and prayed
and gave
thanks
before
his God
Daniel's
prayer
was punctuated
by
thanks
giving
unlike
many
of our
prayers
unlike
many
of my
prayers
in this
moment
of crisis
in when
things are
getting hot
when
desperation
is beginning
to press
in
and the
pressures
of life
are coming
our
normal
response
is
Lord
help
take away
this
problem
help me
in my
time of
distress
but what
does
Daniel do
he turns
to God
in prayer
he knows
exactly
what is
going
down
and instead
of
praying
this away
Daniel
gives
thanks
God I
thank you
I thank you
for this
situation
I don't
know what
he says
I'm just
speculating
I imagine
that given
what we see
in Daniel
chapter 9
Daniel again
through the
60 years
of public
ministry
and seeing
God's
faithfulness
here he is
again
God thank
you for
another
opportunity
to show
this new
kingdom
that you
are dependable
thank you
God for
the chance
that I
have
again to
refine my
character
and to
trust you
through hard
things
this expression
in heart
of thanksgiving
not what you'd
expect from an
ordinary person
but what we find
consistently
in the life
of Daniel
who had
given himself
to a spirit
that was
growing
in grace
growing
in God
in verses
11 to 13
we find that
Daniel is
discovered
and accused
discovered
and accused
notice
then these
men came
by agreement
and found
Daniel
making petition
and plea
before his
God
now just
pause for a
moment
okay
now imagine
for a moment
now these
really dignified
officials
who are
overseeing
this entire
empire
here they
are
hiding
in the
corners
and following
Daniel
I'm just
guessing
and they're
following
after him
and then
they catch
him in
the act
the glee
that must
have been
on their
hearts
and then in
verse 12
then they
came near
and said
before the
king
concerning
the
injunction
O king
did you
not sign
an injunction
that anyone
who makes
petition
to any
God or
man
within
thirty
days
except to
you
O king
shall be
cast into
the den of
lions
the king
answered and
said
the thing
stands
fast
according to
the law
of the
Medes
and Persians
which cannot
be revoked
then they
answered and
said before
the king
Daniel
who is one
of the
exiles
from
Judah
he pays
no attention
to you
O king
or
to the
injunction
that you
have signed
but makes
his petition
three times
a day
Daniel's
discovered
and accused
and the
accusation
that these
satraps
will bring
against
Daniel
is to
seek to
discredit
him as
much as
they can
notice
there in
verse 13
Daniel
is one
of the
exiles
he's not
one of
us
he's not
loyal to
us
he doesn't
care about
this
kingdom
so
that's
why you
should call
his character
into question
he pays
no attention
to you
king
he doesn't
care about
this edict
that you
have put
together
or
the
injunction
that you
have
signed
he gives
no regard
to you
and as a
matter of
fact
we come
to know
although we've
just caught
him once
during this
day
we come
to understand
that he
makes petitions
three times
a day
in defiance
of you
these
officials
go to
spy on
Daniel
and then
do whatever
they can
to discredit
God's
servant
Daniel
was like
clockwork
and no doubt
they were
tracking him
down
and his
devotion
to God
was personal
not flamboyant
but obvious
if you knew
where to look
undoubtedly
this was better
than these
officials could
imagine
the injunction
or decree
gets signed
in the morning
likely
Daniel goes
home at
noon
once he
hears that
the decree
has been
signed
he goes
home
at noon
he prays
as he's
always done
he gets
caught
in the
act
the
presentation
the accusation
gets presented
before the
king
and before
the
afternoon
even
expires
Daniel
has played
into their
hands
everything
was unfolding
exactly
as they
had dreamed
but of course
God was
sovereign
over all
of this
and God
was using
Daniel's
faithfulness
and his
submission
to him
to position
him
for usefulness
we would
not have
the second
half
of Daniel
chapter 6
if it were
not for
the character
of Daniel
in following
after his
God
his faithfulness
to do
what God
had instructed
now we
see the
response
of the
king
Darius
we find
in verses
14 to
16
is distressed
and unsuccessful
distressed
and unsuccessful
notice
then the
king
when he
heard these
words
was much
distressed
and set
his mind
to deliver
Daniel
he labored
till the
sun went
down
to rescue
him
then these
men came
by agreement
to the
king
and said
to the
king
no
oh
king
that is
the law
the Medes
and the
Persians
that no
injunction
or ordinance
that the
king
establishes
can be
changed
then the
king
commanded
and Daniel
was brought
and cast
into the
den of lions
the king
declared
to Daniel
may
your
God
whom you
serve
continually
deliver
you
the king
who's
distressed
and
unsuccessful
it's
telling
in the
parts
of this
narrative
here in
verse 14
as you
look at
this word
to be
distressed
it's a
word that
means to
be bad
to be
displeased
to be
frustrated
and then
he labored
which is
this word
he set
his heart
to help
Daniel
the king
is emotionally
involved
in this
liberation
at least
venture
however long
months
perhaps
not even a
year
has gone
by
as Darius
is this
king over
Babylon
and the
connection
that Daniel
has with
the king
is so
close
is so
intimate
that the
king
this king
over the
media
Persian
empire
is emotionally
involved
and distraught
over the
affairs
that have
just
happened
and then
this word
to deliver
he sought
to deliver
Daniel
will be
important to
us as we
move to
the next
part of
our section
of chapter
six
because what
Darius
could not
achieve
God will
because God
is the one
who can
save
the king
in all his
power
the king
as the one
who is over
the known
world
is unable
to step
in
and to
deliver
but God
will
deliver
as we'll
see
in the
next
section
so when you
look at the
life of
Daniel
we come
to appreciate
the significance
of a life
of one
who is
committed
to following
after God
one who
has chosen
to humble
himself
before the
Lord
one who
has chosen
to faithfully
grow in
obedience
to him
his convictions
have driven
him to
faithfulness
and as a result
God has
employed him
in usefulness
I'm reminded
of the
apostle Paul
he says
to work
heartily
as to the
Lord
and not
to men
in our
working
is there
a striving
or in
our working
is there
a pleasing
a desire
to please
the Lord
and to trust
him
to place
us
in the
positions
in the
places
of influence
that God
desires
for us
to serve
even for
the students
you students
in jockeying
for position
on your teams
or trying to
have your way
in the play
or the music
the band
whatever it is
is our desire
as people
to trust
the Lord
in the
places
that he
would
instrumentally
put us
in
may God
help us
like Daniel
to trust
him
and to do
what Paul
says
in 1 Corinthians
15
where he says
be steadfast
immovable
always abounding
in the work
of the Lord
knowing
that your
labor
is not
in vain
in the Lord
may the Lord
help us
to labor
for him
not to be
the master
of our fate
or the captain
of our soul
but to trust
in the true
captain
over all the earth
over the universe
trusting him
to put us
in the places
where he desires
us to be
Lord we pray
that you'd help
us to be
faithful
I pray that you'd
help us
like Daniel
to be willing
to be in the
forefront
or to be willing
to be in the
background
wherever you
desire us
to serve
God may our
heart be
to serve
faithfully
to serve
with all our
heart
to be steadfast
in it
knowing that
our labor
is not
in vain
in the Lord
so God
go before us
this week
help us
to faithfully
follow your
steps
and to
consistently
work out
our salvation
with fear
and trembling
for this God
who works
in us
both to will
and to do
according to
his purposes
may we follow
after you
in Jesus name
amen