WEBVTT

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 I'd like you to imagine with me, if you would, a young man, the age of 19.

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!

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 Some resolutions for his life.

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 Some commitments that were going to shape not only the immediate future, but in his heart,

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 in his mind, these were the resolutions that were going to kind of go the distance for

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 him and kind of shape his future.

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 Not the kind of resolutions, perhaps, that we find ourselves making or that I find myself

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 making at times.

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 The kind of resolutions that maybe last the day or last the week.

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 No, this is a kind of resolution that for Jonathan Edwards was life-shaping.

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 He began to sit down with a pen at about age 19 in 1722.

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 And for the next year, he would write these personal commitments.

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 Commitments that were derived from the Scripture.

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 Commitments that would shape the way that he related to others, the way he related to God.

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 And help to undergird him and provide direction and focus for his future.

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 His goal was not to boast about his piety, but to keep his heart and mind focused on God's will.

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 Some examples of these resolutions.

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 Resolution number five is resolved.

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 Never to lose one moment of time, but improve in the most profitable way I can.

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 And of course, that deriving itself out of Ephesians chapter 5.

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 Walk circumspectly, not as a fool, but as wise, redeeming the time because the days are evil.

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 And so these resolutions springing out of the Word of God and personalizing it and shaping the direction of his future.

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 Resolution number six, resolved to live with all my might while I do live.

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 Resolution number seven, resolved never to do anything which I should be afraid to do if it were the last hour of my life.

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 Resolution 69, resolved always to do that which I shall wish I had done when I see others do it.

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 When I look around me and I see the life of those who are also pursuing God.

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 And I wish for that for myself.

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 I'm resolved to adopt that attitude, that posture, that heart for myself in the way I live as well.

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 And of course, these resolutions reveal Edwards' unwavering commitment to the Lord.

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 And were used to help him have a life that was set apart from the world around him.

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 And because of a distinctive life that was concentrated on the glory of God,

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 God honored Jonathan Edwards' commitment.

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 Despite the trials and the challenges that he faced.

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 It would be Jonathan Edwards who would be a key figure in the greatest revival of American history, the Great Awakening.

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 His legacy would also be one who would be considered a great thinker.

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 Who still influences pastors and professors and philosophers of this age.

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 He's considered to be a towering intellect and the greatest mind of American history.

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 Not just the greatest mind of American preaching, but the greatest mind of history in totality.

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 That's what God did through this man who is devoted and resolved in his heart to focus on the glory of God.

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 And to point his life in the direction of dignity and honor.

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 A life that wore the scripture.

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 This morning we're going to get a taste of that same kind of commitment.

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 This resolution as it were.

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 It stands out in the opening phrase of Daniel chapter 1 verse 8.

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 This opening phrase, if you're following along with me, I would encourage you to turn to Daniel.

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 If you're using the Pew Bible, it's on page 767.

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 Either 767 or 737.

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 I forget which.

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 Somewhere in the 700s you'll find it.

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 It says,

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 But Daniel resolved that he would not defile himself with the king's food or with the wine that he drank.

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 This is a remarkable statement considering where Daniel is.

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 Daniel now in Babylon.

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 We get a taste or a sense of the context right there at the beginning of Daniel in verse 1.

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 In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim, it says,

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 King of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, came to Jerusalem and besieged it.

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 Of course, the history of Judah up to this point.

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 And especially in the latter days, Jehoiakim being one of the final kings of Judah's history.

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 We find the commentary of his life.

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 Very brief commentary.

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 And it says that he was an evil man.

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 Following the pattern of and traditions of his fathers.

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 Jehoiakim led the people into pagan worship.

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 Jehoiakim, it says in 2 Chronicles,

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 participated in things that were considered an abomination to the Lord.

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 Jehoiakim followed after the pattern of the kings before him.

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 And so it's easy to assume that he also did the things that those heathen, wicked kings did.

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 In terms of pagan worship.

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 In terms of raising up the high places.

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 In desecrating the temple.

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 In sacrificing his own children in the altars to these foreign gods.

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 God had faithfully warned his people time and again through the testimony of his word.

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 Not only the written word that came through Moses and through David.

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 But also the spoken word through his prophets.

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 Prophet after prophet.

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 Generation after generation.

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 Came and went as a testimony to God's faithfulness.

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 To send his word.

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 And of course, God also had to be faithful to keep his word.

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 That word that God had given.

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 That if you rebel against me, I will send you into captivity.

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 And that is exactly what God would do.

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 We find in verse 2.

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 The Lord gave Jehoiakim, king of Judah, into his hand.

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 So Nebuchadnezzar, on the surface, may have assumed that it was his power.

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 And the power of his Babylonian gods.

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 That was behind this conquering of Judah and Jerusalem.

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 And the bringing back of the captives to Babylon.

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 But God makes it very clear at the outset of this book.

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 God is the one who is writing his name across the events of history.

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 It is God who is the unseen force behind all that will unfold for us in this book of Daniel.

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 The Lord is the active agent in this narrative.

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 Make no mistake.

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 No empire, no king, no conquering takes place apart from his intervening power.

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 He is over it and through it and encircling it.

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 Last week, Nebuchadnezzar issued this command.

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 This command to draw from the captives of Judah and to raise them up.

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 To give them this unique opportunity to stand before him in his presence.

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 There are several features or characteristics that would need to be true about them.

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 We find from verses 3 and 4.

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 They are to be from the royal family.

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 They are to represent nobility.

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 They are to be from the court of Jerusalem.

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 They would be the ones who would be qualified to stand in the courts in Babylon.

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 They are to be young.

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 Probably around the age of 14 or 15.

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 And to work through this three-year education process.

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 So that by the time they are done.

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 By 17 or 18 or so.

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 They would now be able to stand before the king.

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 They were to be without blemish.

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 And I draw attention to this because this is going to weave itself in again throughout our passage this morning.

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 Without blemish.

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 Of good appearance.

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 These guys are striking.

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 These guys are solid.

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 These guys are the kinds of young men.

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 They walk into a room and every head turns.

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 They capture attention.

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 Yeah, that kind of guy.

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 Those who made it into this elite school represent the best of the best.

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 They are in the elite school of Babylon.

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 No doubt being trained by the brightest minds across the known world.

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 And this honor comes with special privileges.

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 Not only does Nebuchadnezzar issue this command to draw out this group of select individuals.

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 But he is also going to give them or assign them a portion of the king's food.

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 The delicacies that were fit for a king.

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 Made in the king's kitchen.

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 By the king's own chefs.

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 The best meat, produce, vegetables from the kingdom.

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 Literally, they are eating like kings.

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 They are also going to receive this education from this elite school of Babylon.

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 Which would have been the Harvard of Harvards as it were.

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 The brightest minds of the known world.

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 As Nebuchadnezzar is doing the same kind of thing for every other conquered nation.

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 Drawing from the smartest and best and wisest young men.

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 And raising them up in his kingdom.

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 An education process that would have taken about three years to complete.

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 But even then, it wasn't a guarantee that these recruits would be able to make it to the finish line.

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 And stand before the king.

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 Everything depended upon compliance.

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 Everything depended upon learning aptitude.

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 Everything depended upon maintained appearance.

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 Mental conditioning.

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 Broad categories of comprehension.

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 Problem solving.

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 Knowledge of laws and policy and language.

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 This was an opportunity of a lifetime they dare not jeopardize.

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 The pressure to conform.

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 To adapt.

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 To comply.

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 To fit in.

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 Would have loomed large over these young men.

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 And that's what leads us to our passage today.

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 With all of that external pressure.

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 What will Daniel and his friends do?

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 So as we turn our attention to Daniel chapter 1 verse 8.

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 We're going to see that God is continuing to write his name.

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 And his power across the landscape of our passage.

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 Last week we saw that God was faithful.

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 This week we're going to see consistently that God is able.

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 That God is able.

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 And here in verse 8 we're going to see that God is able to preserve his servants.

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 God is able to preserve his servants.

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 Just this opening phrase.

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 But Daniel resolved.

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 But Daniel resolved.

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 The king's command was given.

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 A selection was made.

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 Names were assigned.

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 Privileges were dispensed.

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 But Daniel resolved.

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 New culture.

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 New city.

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 New language.

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 New status.

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 New customs.

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 New clothing.

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 But same God.

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 And same commitment.

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 There's so much that can be said about this phrase.

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 What is Daniel doing?

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 By resolving.

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 He says to himself.

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 I will not be enticed by the opportunity.

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 I will not be influenced to compromise.

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 I will not renounce my convictions.

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 I will not bend the standard to fit my situation.

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 I will not flex because of the pressure.

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 I will trust that the God who faithfully led me to this place.

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 Faithfully preserved me from Judah into Babylon.

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 And provided this unique opportunity for me to stand in the presence of the king.

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 Is the same God who will lead me to the finish line.

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 I will remain committed to God.

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 After all.

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 The God I serve is the God who transcends culture.

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 He's not just the God that is located in Jerusalem.

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 He is the God who is overall.

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 He is the God who is transcendent.

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 He is the God of heaven.

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 He's overall.

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 And I will remain committed to that God.

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 I will not succumb to the pressures of Babylon.

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 And to believe the lies of my captors.

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 Who say that their gods are stronger than the God of heaven.

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 I will remain committed.

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 To the extent that I will not fit in for the sake of comfort.

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 And I will not compromise for the sake of position.

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 I will not see this opportunity to have this potential influence in the king's court.

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 As a means by which I will lay down certain convictions for the sake of having the greater good.

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 No, I will trust God from start to finish.

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 I will not compromise and he will get me through.

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 Because God is able.

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 But Daniel resolved.

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 Literally this phrase is he purposed in his heart.

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 And I think that's important for us to consider.

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 It's important for us to know that he purposed in his heart.

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 That is the literal rendition of this.

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 This is more than about a mental ascent.

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 This is more than just he made up his mind.

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 This is going to the deepest parts of who Daniel is.

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 It goes to his heart.

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 It goes to affection.

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 It goes to desire.

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 It is the desire that Daniel has that drives him to this commitment.

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 It drives him in true affection for God.

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 It drives him to true loyalty and to true worship.

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 It drives him to true fellowship with God because he understands that for him to defile himself,

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 he would sever this connection, this fellowship, this intimacy that he has with God.

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 And he would not have that.

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 Daniel resolved that he would not defile himself with the king's food or with the wine that he drank

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 because Daniel's affection for God led to a desire for fellowship with God.

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 It led to a craving for intimacy.

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 He would not jeopardize that by becoming unclean.

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 But in what way did Daniel think he would defile himself?

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 Well, there are at least a couple of ways in which the food that was offered to him through these delicacies

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 would have defiled him perhaps as a Judean.

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 First, many of the foods that were eaten at the Babylonian court were pork and horse flesh,

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 which would have been unclean ceremonially in the law of Moses.

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 They were also prepared without removing all of the blood.

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 And so that also would have been a defilement to Daniel and his friends.

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 But I think most importantly,

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 there was an understanding that the meat that was offered to these candidates

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 was also first offered to the gods.

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 And the wine that they drank was first poured out,

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 at least in part, to the gods of that nation.

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 And Daniel was not going to defile himself in that way.

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 It's remarkable considering that he was in Babylon because of idolatry of his nation.

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 This is where I want to draw out our point.

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 God is able to preserve his servants.

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 He was able to keep them.

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 Somehow, Daniel and his three friends were uniquely preserved

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 from the situation of idolatry that was taking place

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 and running rampant throughout Judah.

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 God preserves his people.

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 God uniquely sets them apart.

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 And so even this morning as you're looking around

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 and you are in a job situation or in a school situation

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 or even in your community,

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 you look around and wonder how many people are left

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 who truly love God the way I love God.

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 Be reminded of Elijah.

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 Elijah, who had a similar experience,

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 face to face with God and

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 criticizes God by saying,

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 only I am left!

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 In which God says,

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 no, no, Elijah.

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 I have kept 7,000 in Israel

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 who have not bowed the knee to Baal.

00:17:43.880 --> 00:17:47.940
 You can trust me because I am the God who preserves.

00:17:48.780 --> 00:17:50.960
 We find that in 1 Corinthians 10, 13.

00:17:51.280 --> 00:17:55.020
 Take comfort in the fact that God delights in preserving his people.

00:17:56.020 --> 00:17:56.340
 It says,

00:17:56.339 --> 00:17:58.199
 no temptation has overtaken you

00:17:58.199 --> 00:17:59.759
 that is not common to man.

00:18:00.059 --> 00:18:00.939
 God is faithful.

00:18:01.259 --> 00:18:03.679
 He will not let you be tempted beyond your ability.

00:18:04.000 --> 00:18:05.199
 But with the temptation,

00:18:05.639 --> 00:18:07.480
 he will also provide the way of escape

00:18:07.480 --> 00:18:09.899
 that you may be able to endure it.

00:18:09.980 --> 00:18:10.839
 Or I should say,

00:18:10.899 --> 00:18:14.179
 so you may be able to remain pure and holy

00:18:14.179 --> 00:18:15.639
 as God has called you to be holy.

00:18:15.640 --> 00:18:20.100
 God is over that experience.

00:18:20.940 --> 00:18:24.460
 God is able to help through the power of his spirit

00:18:24.460 --> 00:18:27.600
 to preserve you from those temptations,

00:18:27.840 --> 00:18:29.600
 to draw you into purity,

00:18:29.720 --> 00:18:31.420
 to draw you into obedience.

00:18:31.600 --> 00:18:33.820
 God is able to preserve his servants.

00:18:35.380 --> 00:18:39.759
 And then the second half of verse 8 to verse 14,

00:18:39.900 --> 00:18:43.060
 we also find that God is able to provide for his servants.

00:18:43.900 --> 00:18:45.040
 Not just preserve them,

00:18:45.039 --> 00:18:46.879
 but provide for them.

00:18:47.420 --> 00:18:48.460
 Notice what we find.

00:18:50.319 --> 00:18:51.639
 Halfway through verse 8.

00:18:51.740 --> 00:18:52.000
 Therefore,

00:18:52.920 --> 00:18:54.460
 he asked the chief of the eunuchs

00:18:54.460 --> 00:18:57.420
 to allow him not to defile himself.

00:18:59.559 --> 00:19:01.559
 This is important for us to understand

00:19:01.559 --> 00:19:04.599
 because this becomes the key

00:19:04.599 --> 00:19:07.440
 that unlocks the rest of the book of Daniel

00:19:07.440 --> 00:19:09.000
 open to us.

00:19:09.259 --> 00:19:12.440
 To understand what was it that drove Daniel.

00:19:12.680 --> 00:19:14.879
 What is this that allows Daniel

00:19:14.880 --> 00:19:17.000
 to be lifted up and promoted

00:19:17.000 --> 00:19:20.640
 into the eyes of this kingdom of Babylon

00:19:20.640 --> 00:19:22.220
 and to be useful for God.

00:19:22.340 --> 00:19:24.140
 It was this commitment

00:19:24.140 --> 00:19:27.420
 that Daniel has to God's faithfulness

00:19:27.420 --> 00:19:30.140
 and also his commitment to God's power

00:19:30.140 --> 00:19:33.760
 that preserves him in this difficult situation.

00:19:33.759 --> 00:19:38.259
 Daniel asked to speak with,

00:19:38.259 --> 00:19:38.859
 to search,

00:19:38.859 --> 00:19:43.019
 to inquire and desire knowledge,

00:19:43.140 --> 00:19:44.119
 desire information.

00:19:45.079 --> 00:19:47.220
 Daniel did not make demands.

00:19:48.220 --> 00:19:50.460
 He did not simply decide

00:19:50.460 --> 00:19:52.160
 and cross his arms

00:19:52.160 --> 00:19:52.879
 and say,

00:19:53.000 --> 00:19:53.700
 I'm checking out.

00:19:54.859 --> 00:19:57.379
 Daniel didn't throw a fit.

00:19:58.099 --> 00:19:59.339
 Daniel didn't protest.

00:19:59.339 --> 00:20:01.839
 He didn't dismiss himself

00:20:01.839 --> 00:20:03.359
 from the selection process.

00:20:03.359 --> 00:20:06.139
 He didn't rebel against the authorities

00:20:06.139 --> 00:20:07.639
 that God had placed over him.

00:20:07.959 --> 00:20:11.299
 He complied to the extent

00:20:11.299 --> 00:20:12.740
 that he trusted in God

00:20:12.740 --> 00:20:16.179
 to help work through this difficult situation.

00:20:17.220 --> 00:20:20.019
 Daniel understood that God was in this.

00:20:20.019 --> 00:20:23.720
 And so he sought to honor God through this.

00:20:24.639 --> 00:20:27.920
 He recognized that as God was in this situation,

00:20:28.240 --> 00:20:30.519
 that God would use this uniquely

00:20:30.519 --> 00:20:32.559
 to accomplish his purposes,

00:20:32.819 --> 00:20:35.279
 which in fact is exactly what God did.

00:20:35.579 --> 00:20:37.559
 God was using this situation

00:20:37.559 --> 00:20:40.480
 to set Daniel and his friends apart,

00:20:40.559 --> 00:20:43.019
 to distinguish him and his friends

00:20:43.019 --> 00:20:44.740
 uniquely as being servants

00:20:44.740 --> 00:20:46.559
 of the only God,

00:20:46.559 --> 00:20:48.639
 the one true God.

00:20:50.159 --> 00:20:52.359
 Who would dare to jeopardize this opportunity?

00:20:53.039 --> 00:20:54.940
 Who would dare to put this all at risk?

00:20:55.039 --> 00:20:55.899
 Well, Daniel.

00:20:57.039 --> 00:20:58.960
 Because Daniel remained,

00:20:59.339 --> 00:21:01.319
 desired to remain holy to the Lord,

00:21:01.500 --> 00:21:02.919
 was ultimate for him.

00:21:04.559 --> 00:21:05.319
 And since he believed

00:21:05.319 --> 00:21:07.159
 that God had brought him to this moment,

00:21:07.899 --> 00:21:09.039
 he didn't want to jeopardize

00:21:09.039 --> 00:21:11.700
 the very working that God had him in store.

00:21:11.700 --> 00:21:17.539
 the way in which God was going to use

00:21:17.539 --> 00:21:19.279
 Daniel and his friends

00:21:19.279 --> 00:21:20.819
 to accomplish the purposes

00:21:20.819 --> 00:21:21.640
 that God had set

00:21:21.640 --> 00:21:23.400
 for Daniel and his friends.

00:21:24.059 --> 00:21:25.660
 God provided for Daniel.

00:21:26.700 --> 00:21:27.799
 But God honored Daniel

00:21:27.799 --> 00:21:28.740
 because of his commitment.

00:21:28.880 --> 00:21:30.580
 We see that here in verse 9.

00:21:30.660 --> 00:21:30.880
 Notice.

00:21:31.660 --> 00:21:31.920
 It says,

00:21:32.180 --> 00:21:36.460
 And God gave Daniel favor and compassion.

00:21:38.220 --> 00:21:39.620
 Daniel set his heart

00:21:39.620 --> 00:21:41.279
 to trust in God.

00:21:41.279 --> 00:21:44.559
 Daniel obviously prayed to God

00:21:44.559 --> 00:21:45.920
 and God answered

00:21:45.920 --> 00:21:49.200
 by showing him favor and compassion

00:21:49.200 --> 00:21:51.480
 in the sight of the chief of eunuchs.

00:21:51.819 --> 00:21:52.359
 Verse 10.

00:21:52.879 --> 00:21:54.279
 And the chief of the eunuchs said to Daniel,

00:21:54.480 --> 00:21:55.779
 I fear my lord the king

00:21:55.779 --> 00:21:57.779
 who has signed your food and your drink.

00:21:58.019 --> 00:21:59.639
 For why should he see

00:21:59.639 --> 00:22:01.279
 that you are in worse condition

00:22:01.799 --> 00:22:02.599
 than the youths

00:22:02.599 --> 00:22:05.619
 who are of your own age?

00:22:06.299 --> 00:22:08.339
 So you would endanger my head with the king.

00:22:09.079 --> 00:22:10.480
 Then Daniel said to the steward

00:22:10.480 --> 00:22:11.880
 whom the chief of the eunuchs

00:22:11.880 --> 00:22:13.180
 had assigned over Daniel,

00:22:13.539 --> 00:22:13.819
 Hanani,

00:22:13.980 --> 00:22:14.420
 and Mishael,

00:22:14.539 --> 00:22:15.180
 and Azariah,

00:22:15.420 --> 00:22:17.720
 test your servants for 10 days.

00:22:18.539 --> 00:22:20.319
 Let us be given vegetables to eat

00:22:20.319 --> 00:22:21.299
 and water to drink.

00:22:21.980 --> 00:22:23.019
 Then let our appearance

00:22:23.019 --> 00:22:24.480
 and the appearance of these youths

00:22:25.019 --> 00:22:26.539
 who eat the king's food

00:22:26.539 --> 00:22:27.799
 be observed by you

00:22:27.799 --> 00:22:29.319
 and deal with your servant

00:22:29.319 --> 00:22:30.599
 according to what you see.

00:22:30.599 --> 00:22:32.939
 So he listened to them in this matter

00:22:32.939 --> 00:22:34.139
 and testified

00:22:34.139 --> 00:22:36.159
 or tested them for 10 days.

00:22:37.299 --> 00:22:38.439
 At the end of 10 days

00:22:38.439 --> 00:22:39.480
 it was seen that they were

00:22:39.480 --> 00:22:40.939
 better in appearance

00:22:40.939 --> 00:22:42.679
 and fatter in the flesh

00:22:42.679 --> 00:22:44.039
 than all the youths

00:22:44.039 --> 00:22:45.459
 who ate the king's food.

00:22:46.240 --> 00:22:47.879
 So the steward took away their food

00:22:47.879 --> 00:22:49.719
 and the wine which they were to drink

00:22:49.719 --> 00:22:51.759
 and gave them vegetables.

00:22:53.199 --> 00:22:54.599
 God worked to produce

00:22:54.599 --> 00:22:57.139
 the right response

00:22:57.139 --> 00:22:58.339
 in the chief eunuch.

00:22:59.240 --> 00:23:00.439
 There was every reason

00:23:00.439 --> 00:23:02.059
 for the chief eunuch to say

00:23:02.059 --> 00:23:02.759
 no,

00:23:03.519 --> 00:23:04.879
 absolutely not.

00:23:05.399 --> 00:23:07.599
 There is no way in the world

00:23:07.599 --> 00:23:09.659
 I'm going to entertain this request.

00:23:10.480 --> 00:23:13.599
 I'm not going to risk my life for this.

00:23:14.459 --> 00:23:15.919
 So Daniel proposes a test.

00:23:16.879 --> 00:23:17.539
 This is a way

00:23:17.539 --> 00:23:20.119
 to preserve the chief eunuch

00:23:20.119 --> 00:23:21.239
 and also a way

00:23:21.239 --> 00:23:22.899
 to preserve his own dignity

00:23:22.899 --> 00:23:23.899
 and purity.

00:23:24.119 --> 00:23:25.339
 And I want to just draw attention

00:23:25.339 --> 00:23:26.359
 to this briefly

00:23:26.359 --> 00:23:27.419
 because we're going to see

00:23:27.419 --> 00:23:28.539
 this repeated theme

00:23:28.539 --> 00:23:30.199
 as we make our way through

00:23:30.199 --> 00:23:31.299
 the book of Daniel.

00:23:31.559 --> 00:23:33.479
 Notice that Daniel cares

00:23:33.479 --> 00:23:35.039
 about his captor.

00:23:36.519 --> 00:23:37.779
 Daniel is interested

00:23:37.779 --> 00:23:38.839
 in the preservation

00:23:38.839 --> 00:23:40.959
 of this chief eunuch.

00:23:40.959 --> 00:23:43.939
 He does care about his head.

00:23:45.259 --> 00:23:45.799
 And we're going to see

00:23:45.799 --> 00:23:47.619
 the same thing in chapter 2

00:23:47.619 --> 00:23:49.639
 where Daniel even cares

00:23:49.640 --> 00:23:50.900
 about his competitors,

00:23:51.320 --> 00:23:52.380
 the other wise men,

00:23:52.580 --> 00:23:53.560
 the other sorcerers,

00:23:53.780 --> 00:23:54.800
 those who are caught up

00:23:54.800 --> 00:23:56.120
 in evil practices.

00:23:56.620 --> 00:23:59.120
 Daniel cares about people,

00:23:59.320 --> 00:24:00.120
 even his enemies.

00:24:01.340 --> 00:24:02.100
 That theme is written

00:24:02.100 --> 00:24:03.020
 across this book,

00:24:03.220 --> 00:24:04.540
 but it's tangential

00:24:04.540 --> 00:24:05.380
 to the theme

00:24:05.380 --> 00:24:07.000
 that I'm trying to draw out

00:24:07.000 --> 00:24:07.680
 at this point.

00:24:08.680 --> 00:24:12.180
 Daniel personally remains pure

00:24:12.180 --> 00:24:13.540
 to his convictions.

00:24:14.480 --> 00:24:15.220
 Test your servant

00:24:15.220 --> 00:24:16.480
 for 10 days, he says.

00:24:17.180 --> 00:24:19.020
 Give us vegetables to eat,

00:24:19.019 --> 00:24:20.099
 water to drink,

00:24:20.359 --> 00:24:21.440
 evaluate our appearance

00:24:21.440 --> 00:24:23.259
 after this is all done.

00:24:23.759 --> 00:24:24.740
 We've already seen

00:24:24.740 --> 00:24:25.619
 this word appearance

00:24:25.619 --> 00:24:27.639
 in chapter 1, verse 4.

00:24:28.299 --> 00:24:29.119
 We're going to see it

00:24:29.119 --> 00:24:30.220
 some more throughout

00:24:30.220 --> 00:24:31.079
 this passage

00:24:31.079 --> 00:24:32.639
 and as we move our way

00:24:32.639 --> 00:24:33.720
 into the next chapters.

00:24:35.079 --> 00:24:36.180
 It's the same word

00:24:36.180 --> 00:24:37.079
 that's used throughout

00:24:37.079 --> 00:24:37.759
 the Old Testament

00:24:37.759 --> 00:24:38.639
 to draw attention

00:24:38.639 --> 00:24:39.859
 to the uniqueness

00:24:39.859 --> 00:24:41.160
 of God's favor

00:24:41.160 --> 00:24:42.400
 on his people,

00:24:42.500 --> 00:24:43.500
 especially the patriarchs

00:24:43.500 --> 00:24:45.140
 and their wives.

00:24:46.220 --> 00:24:47.480
 Genesis chapter 12,

00:24:47.640 --> 00:24:48.339
 verse 11.

00:24:48.920 --> 00:24:50.640
 Abraham, speaking of his wife,

00:24:50.740 --> 00:24:51.019
 he says,

00:24:51.099 --> 00:24:51.940
 I know that you are

00:24:51.940 --> 00:24:53.279
 a woman beautiful

00:24:53.279 --> 00:24:54.119
 in appearance.

00:24:54.920 --> 00:24:56.000
 We find of Rachel,

00:24:56.119 --> 00:24:57.519
 Rachel was beautiful

00:24:57.519 --> 00:24:58.359
 in form,

00:24:58.460 --> 00:24:59.000
 in appearance.

00:25:00.339 --> 00:25:01.599
 And then in 1 Samuel,

00:25:01.700 --> 00:25:02.599
 chapter 17,

00:25:02.759 --> 00:25:03.660
 verse 42,

00:25:04.480 --> 00:25:05.000
 it says,

00:25:05.119 --> 00:25:06.640
 And when the Philistine

00:25:06.640 --> 00:25:07.839
 saw David,

00:25:08.200 --> 00:25:10.000
 he disdained him,

00:25:10.000 --> 00:25:11.420
 for he was but a youth,

00:25:11.619 --> 00:25:12.660
 ruddy and handsome

00:25:12.660 --> 00:25:13.460
 in appearance.

00:25:14.420 --> 00:25:15.880
 And then Genesis 39, 6.

00:25:15.940 --> 00:25:16.680
 I missed that one now.

00:25:16.740 --> 00:25:18.000
 Joseph was handsome

00:25:18.000 --> 00:25:20.099
 in form and appearance.

00:25:21.059 --> 00:25:22.500
 This way of God's

00:25:22.500 --> 00:25:23.759
 special favor

00:25:23.759 --> 00:25:25.059
 on his people.

00:25:25.859 --> 00:25:27.180
 And I just draw this out

00:25:27.180 --> 00:25:29.299
 because the correlation

00:25:29.299 --> 00:25:31.279
 is also true

00:25:31.279 --> 00:25:34.799
 of Christ in Isaiah 53, 2 and 3.

00:25:35.619 --> 00:25:37.059
 For he grew up before him

00:25:37.059 --> 00:25:38.039
 like a young plant

00:25:38.039 --> 00:25:39.119
 and like a root

00:25:39.119 --> 00:25:40.339
 out of dry ground,

00:25:40.579 --> 00:25:42.839
 he had no form

00:25:42.839 --> 00:25:43.979
 or majesty

00:25:43.979 --> 00:25:45.639
 that we should look at him

00:25:45.639 --> 00:25:46.879
 and no beauty

00:25:46.879 --> 00:25:48.179
 that we should desire him.

00:25:49.159 --> 00:25:49.879
 He was despised

00:25:49.879 --> 00:25:50.839
 and rejected by men,

00:25:50.879 --> 00:25:51.819
 a man of sorrows

00:25:51.819 --> 00:25:53.259
 and acquainted with grief.

00:25:53.439 --> 00:25:54.979
 And as one

00:25:54.979 --> 00:25:55.719
 from whom men

00:25:55.719 --> 00:25:56.500
 hide their faces,

00:25:56.759 --> 00:25:57.959
 he was despised

00:25:57.959 --> 00:26:00.259
 and we esteemed him not.

00:26:01.139 --> 00:26:01.839
 Our Savior,

00:26:02.059 --> 00:26:02.839
 who could have been

00:26:02.839 --> 00:26:04.459
 the most striking

00:26:04.459 --> 00:26:05.779
 of every,

00:26:05.959 --> 00:26:06.500
 any person

00:26:06.500 --> 00:26:07.279
 who ever walked

00:26:07.279 --> 00:26:07.959
 the planet,

00:26:07.960 --> 00:26:09.680
 chose in humility

00:26:09.680 --> 00:26:12.360
 to lay himself low,

00:26:13.299 --> 00:26:14.900
 to be of no form

00:26:14.900 --> 00:26:15.500
 or comeliness

00:26:15.500 --> 00:26:17.100
 so the strength

00:26:17.100 --> 00:26:17.960
 would not be

00:26:17.960 --> 00:26:19.299
 in his winsomeness,

00:26:19.420 --> 00:26:20.579
 in his appearance,

00:26:20.860 --> 00:26:22.019
 but in the message

00:26:22.019 --> 00:26:23.059
 of the gospel

00:26:23.059 --> 00:26:24.259
 and the power

00:26:24.259 --> 00:26:25.200
 of the Spirit.

00:26:25.519 --> 00:26:26.120
 But here,

00:26:26.400 --> 00:26:27.240
 in Daniel,

00:26:27.559 --> 00:26:28.779
 God has allowed

00:26:28.779 --> 00:26:30.079
 Daniel and his friends

00:26:30.079 --> 00:26:31.980
 to be those

00:26:31.980 --> 00:26:32.819
 who stand out

00:26:32.819 --> 00:26:33.340
 from the crowd

00:26:33.340 --> 00:26:34.180
 because he knows

00:26:34.180 --> 00:26:35.500
 that man looks

00:26:35.500 --> 00:26:36.779
 on the outward appearance.

00:26:38.059 --> 00:26:38.579
 So God

00:26:38.579 --> 00:26:39.660
 had instrumentally

00:26:39.660 --> 00:26:40.759
 allowed Daniel

00:26:40.759 --> 00:26:41.559
 and his friends

00:26:41.559 --> 00:26:43.119
 to stand

00:26:43.119 --> 00:26:44.500
 head and shoulders

00:26:44.500 --> 00:26:45.400
 above the others

00:26:45.400 --> 00:26:46.319
 in the way they looked.

00:26:46.779 --> 00:26:47.640
 They were noticeable.

00:26:48.759 --> 00:26:49.339
 The chief eunuch

00:26:49.339 --> 00:26:50.160
 was not going to risk

00:26:50.160 --> 00:26:51.900
 this key component,

00:26:52.019 --> 00:26:52.980
 so he puts them

00:26:52.980 --> 00:26:53.579
 to the test.

00:26:53.660 --> 00:26:54.279
 And it's interesting,

00:26:54.539 --> 00:26:55.700
 we find here in verse 9,

00:26:56.019 --> 00:26:57.099
 God gave Daniel

00:26:57.099 --> 00:26:58.339
 what church?

00:26:59.640 --> 00:27:00.400
 His favor

00:27:00.400 --> 00:27:01.660
 and compassion.

00:27:02.840 --> 00:27:03.720
 This word favor

00:27:03.720 --> 00:27:04.680
 is the word hesed.

00:27:05.880 --> 00:27:06.540
 It's the word

00:27:06.540 --> 00:27:06.980
 that's used

00:27:06.980 --> 00:27:08.240
 throughout the Old Testament

00:27:08.240 --> 00:27:09.460
 to call attention

00:27:09.460 --> 00:27:10.420
 to the loyal,

00:27:10.960 --> 00:27:12.200
 covenant love

00:27:12.200 --> 00:27:13.120
 of God.

00:27:14.120 --> 00:27:15.320
 This is so important

00:27:15.320 --> 00:27:16.340
 because here they are

00:27:16.340 --> 00:27:17.720
 being disciplined.

00:27:17.920 --> 00:27:18.540
 Here they are

00:27:18.540 --> 00:27:19.519
 in captivity.

00:27:19.940 --> 00:27:20.620
 Here they are

00:27:20.620 --> 00:27:21.820
 being scourged

00:27:21.820 --> 00:27:23.220
 because of their sin

00:27:23.220 --> 00:27:24.080
 in Judah.

00:27:24.340 --> 00:27:25.000
 And here

00:27:25.000 --> 00:27:26.200
 they are

00:27:26.200 --> 00:27:27.160
 in Babylon

00:27:27.160 --> 00:27:28.660
 in God's hesed,

00:27:28.660 --> 00:27:29.600
 loyal,

00:27:30.019 --> 00:27:30.759
 covenant love

00:27:30.759 --> 00:27:32.240
 has not left them.

00:27:33.600 --> 00:27:34.320
 And he's placed

00:27:34.320 --> 00:27:35.100
 that love

00:27:35.100 --> 00:27:36.180
 and allowed

00:27:36.180 --> 00:27:37.580
 this chief steward

00:27:37.580 --> 00:27:38.540
 to demonstrate

00:27:38.540 --> 00:27:40.060
 that loyal love

00:27:40.060 --> 00:27:40.980
 in favor

00:27:40.980 --> 00:27:42.640
 in this situation.

00:27:43.800 --> 00:27:44.380
 They sense

00:27:44.380 --> 00:27:45.160
 his love.

00:27:45.640 --> 00:27:46.140
 They sense

00:27:46.140 --> 00:27:47.019
 his compassion.

00:27:47.880 --> 00:27:48.540
 The book of Daniel

00:27:48.540 --> 00:27:49.880
 continues to emphasize

00:27:49.880 --> 00:27:51.420
 God's unseen power

00:27:51.420 --> 00:27:52.640
 as the ultimate

00:27:52.640 --> 00:27:53.940
 source of the events

00:27:53.940 --> 00:27:55.019
 that we see

00:27:55.019 --> 00:27:56.340
 working on the surface.

00:27:57.259 --> 00:27:58.100
 We find that

00:27:58.099 --> 00:27:59.439
 in verse 14.

00:27:59.639 --> 00:28:01.159
 So he listened.

00:28:02.019 --> 00:28:02.659
 You get that?

00:28:02.779 --> 00:28:03.480
 He listened.

00:28:04.799 --> 00:28:05.959
 He didn't refuse.

00:28:06.159 --> 00:28:06.839
 He didn't turn

00:28:06.839 --> 00:28:07.619
 a deaf ear

00:28:07.619 --> 00:28:08.959
 because God

00:28:08.959 --> 00:28:09.539
 was working

00:28:09.539 --> 00:28:10.619
 behind the scenes.

00:28:11.240 --> 00:28:11.699
 The steward

00:28:11.699 --> 00:28:12.959
 granted Daniel's

00:28:12.959 --> 00:28:13.839
 request.

00:28:15.399 --> 00:28:15.759
 God

00:28:15.759 --> 00:28:17.319
 granted favor.

00:28:18.319 --> 00:28:18.639
 God

00:28:18.639 --> 00:28:19.619
 allowed

00:28:19.619 --> 00:28:20.439
 the matters

00:28:20.439 --> 00:28:20.959
 that seemed

00:28:20.959 --> 00:28:22.000
 to be out of hand

00:28:22.000 --> 00:28:23.919
 to work

00:28:23.919 --> 00:28:25.019
 exactly the way

00:28:25.019 --> 00:28:25.459
 that God

00:28:25.459 --> 00:28:26.359
 had designed them

00:28:26.359 --> 00:28:27.240
 to work.

00:28:27.899 --> 00:28:28.479
 So that now

00:28:28.479 --> 00:28:28.979
 when we turn

00:28:28.979 --> 00:28:29.479
 our attention

00:28:29.479 --> 00:28:30.379
 to verses 15

00:28:30.379 --> 00:28:31.019
 to 21

00:28:31.019 --> 00:28:32.319
 we also see

00:28:32.319 --> 00:28:33.559
 God's power

00:28:33.559 --> 00:28:34.339
 and his ability

00:28:34.339 --> 00:28:35.359
 now to promote

00:28:35.359 --> 00:28:36.019
 his servants.

00:28:37.219 --> 00:28:37.879
 God is able

00:28:37.879 --> 00:28:38.559
 to promote

00:28:38.559 --> 00:28:39.259
 his servants

00:28:39.259 --> 00:28:40.339
 not just

00:28:40.339 --> 00:28:41.419
 preserve them

00:28:41.419 --> 00:28:42.319
 but to promote

00:28:42.319 --> 00:28:42.639
 them.

00:28:43.039 --> 00:28:43.479
 We see this

00:28:43.479 --> 00:28:44.439
 at least three ways

00:28:44.439 --> 00:28:45.819
 here in our passage

00:28:45.819 --> 00:28:46.219
 today.

00:28:47.039 --> 00:28:47.500
 In verses

00:28:47.500 --> 00:28:48.899
 15 and 16

00:28:48.899 --> 00:28:50.339
 God promotes

00:28:50.339 --> 00:28:51.399
 them by giving

00:28:51.399 --> 00:28:52.119
 them health.

00:28:52.119 --> 00:28:54.599
 At the end

00:28:54.599 --> 00:28:54.899
 it says

00:28:54.899 --> 00:28:55.679
 in verse 15

00:28:55.679 --> 00:28:57.079
 of ten days

00:28:57.079 --> 00:28:57.639
 it was seen

00:28:57.639 --> 00:28:58.099
 that they were

00:28:58.099 --> 00:28:59.479
 better in appearance

00:28:59.479 --> 00:29:00.859
 and fatter in the flesh

00:29:00.859 --> 00:29:02.139
 than all the youths

00:29:02.139 --> 00:29:03.259
 who ate the king's food.

00:29:03.839 --> 00:29:04.439
 So the steward

00:29:04.439 --> 00:29:05.579
 took away their food

00:29:05.579 --> 00:29:06.539
 and the wine

00:29:06.539 --> 00:29:07.379
 that they were to drink

00:29:07.379 --> 00:29:08.359
 and gave them

00:29:08.359 --> 00:29:09.199
 vegetables.

00:29:11.199 --> 00:29:11.759
 Vegetables.

00:29:13.799 --> 00:29:14.559
 And they were

00:29:14.559 --> 00:29:15.619
 fatter in the flesh

00:29:15.619 --> 00:29:16.839
 after ten days.

00:29:17.500 --> 00:29:18.379
 You think that was

00:29:18.379 --> 00:29:19.159
 a miracle

00:29:19.159 --> 00:29:19.839
 perhaps?

00:29:19.839 --> 00:29:21.599
 This word vegetables

00:29:21.599 --> 00:29:22.939
 is a word

00:29:22.939 --> 00:29:24.220
 that denotes

00:29:24.220 --> 00:29:25.000
 those things

00:29:25.000 --> 00:29:25.659
 which grow

00:29:25.659 --> 00:29:27.639
 from sown seed.

00:29:27.939 --> 00:29:28.439
 It could have

00:29:28.439 --> 00:29:29.139
 included things

00:29:29.139 --> 00:29:29.759
 like fruits.

00:29:30.059 --> 00:29:30.539
 It could have

00:29:30.539 --> 00:29:31.240
 included things

00:29:31.240 --> 00:29:31.859
 like grains.

00:29:32.039 --> 00:29:32.859
 But most likely

00:29:32.859 --> 00:29:34.000
 it was just simply

00:29:34.000 --> 00:29:34.959
 vegetables.

00:29:35.959 --> 00:29:36.379
 Broccoli.

00:29:37.319 --> 00:29:37.879
 Beans.

00:29:38.720 --> 00:29:39.159
 Carrots.

00:29:40.079 --> 00:29:40.419
 Cauliflower.

00:29:41.339 --> 00:29:42.039
 Those kind of

00:29:42.039 --> 00:29:43.779
 really great foods

00:29:43.779 --> 00:29:44.519
 that you all

00:29:44.519 --> 00:29:45.319
 look forward to.

00:29:46.759 --> 00:29:47.879
 And I just think

00:29:47.879 --> 00:29:48.779
 about our own home.

00:29:48.779 --> 00:29:50.119
 I think about

00:29:50.119 --> 00:29:51.660
 the dips

00:29:51.660 --> 00:29:53.920
 and the ranch dressings

00:29:53.920 --> 00:29:55.079
 but eating all of that

00:29:55.079 --> 00:29:57.139
 without the delicacies

00:29:57.139 --> 00:29:58.500
 that we enjoy today.

00:29:59.700 --> 00:30:00.680
 A miracle.

00:30:02.899 --> 00:30:04.500
 Now I'm not a medical expert

00:30:04.500 --> 00:30:06.079
 but I just want to

00:30:06.079 --> 00:30:06.700
 rehearse

00:30:06.700 --> 00:30:08.220
 some statistics

00:30:08.220 --> 00:30:09.359
 or data for you

00:30:09.359 --> 00:30:10.759
 to just try to give you

00:30:10.759 --> 00:30:11.579
 some understanding

00:30:11.579 --> 00:30:13.259
 of what this

00:30:13.259 --> 00:30:14.639
 would have been like.

00:30:14.779 --> 00:30:14.960
 Okay?

00:30:14.960 --> 00:30:16.539
 So for a

00:30:16.539 --> 00:30:18.620
 11 to 15 year old boy

00:30:18.620 --> 00:30:19.120
 they need about

00:30:19.120 --> 00:30:20.440
 2800 calories

00:30:20.440 --> 00:30:21.319
 a day

00:30:21.319 --> 00:30:22.380
 just to maintain

00:30:22.380 --> 00:30:23.380
 their weight.

00:30:24.019 --> 00:30:24.420
 Now that's

00:30:24.420 --> 00:30:26.400
 18 calories

00:30:26.400 --> 00:30:27.559
 in a cup

00:30:27.559 --> 00:30:28.960
 of mixed vegetables.

00:30:29.700 --> 00:30:30.200
 That's about

00:30:30.200 --> 00:30:31.400
 23 cups

00:30:31.400 --> 00:30:32.380
 of vegetables

00:30:32.380 --> 00:30:33.079
 a day

00:30:33.079 --> 00:30:34.380
 just to maintain

00:30:34.380 --> 00:30:35.600
 your weight.

00:30:35.740 --> 00:30:36.579
 23 cups

00:30:36.579 --> 00:30:37.460
 which is about

00:30:37.460 --> 00:30:38.680
 4 pounds

00:30:38.680 --> 00:30:39.700
 of vegetables.

00:30:40.380 --> 00:30:41.059
 Now I don't know

00:30:41.059 --> 00:30:41.480
 if you've had

00:30:41.480 --> 00:30:42.319
 4 pounds

00:30:42.319 --> 00:30:43.079
 of vegetables

00:30:43.079 --> 00:30:44.480
 every day

00:30:44.480 --> 00:30:45.839
 for 10 days

00:30:45.839 --> 00:30:47.079
 it does something

00:30:47.079 --> 00:30:48.599
 to your digestive system.

00:30:50.700 --> 00:30:51.740
 That alone

00:30:51.740 --> 00:30:52.319
 is a miracle.

00:30:53.799 --> 00:30:54.940
 But then the fact

00:30:54.940 --> 00:30:55.799
 that they were better

00:30:55.799 --> 00:30:57.559
 and fatter

00:30:57.559 --> 00:30:59.000
 which is the word

00:30:59.000 --> 00:30:59.599
 that is used

00:30:59.599 --> 00:31:00.379
 in Genesis

00:31:00.379 --> 00:31:01.759
 to speak

00:31:01.759 --> 00:31:02.940
 of the cows

00:31:02.940 --> 00:31:04.019
 in the dream

00:31:04.019 --> 00:31:04.639
 of Pharaoh

00:31:04.639 --> 00:31:05.919
 who were plump

00:31:05.919 --> 00:31:07.039
 in comparison

00:31:07.039 --> 00:31:08.519
 with the thin

00:31:08.519 --> 00:31:10.000
 emaciated cows

00:31:10.000 --> 00:31:10.720
 of his dream.

00:31:12.440 --> 00:31:12.940
 A person

00:31:12.940 --> 00:31:15.559
 generally has to

00:31:15.559 --> 00:31:15.980
 gain about

00:31:15.980 --> 00:31:16.759
 10 pounds

00:31:16.759 --> 00:31:17.759
 in order

00:31:17.759 --> 00:31:18.779
 for their weight

00:31:18.779 --> 00:31:19.740
 to be recognizable.

00:31:20.000 --> 00:31:20.119
 Okay?

00:31:20.200 --> 00:31:20.700
 So we have

00:31:20.700 --> 00:31:21.839
 10 pounds

00:31:21.839 --> 00:31:22.960
 10 days

00:31:22.960 --> 00:31:24.180
 how much weight

00:31:24.180 --> 00:31:24.619
 per day

00:31:24.619 --> 00:31:25.339
 do they need to gain?

00:31:26.339 --> 00:31:27.180
 A pound.

00:31:27.319 --> 00:31:27.779
 You guys are

00:31:27.779 --> 00:31:28.460
 amazing.

00:31:30.240 --> 00:31:30.579
 Okay.

00:31:31.440 --> 00:31:32.779
 Now run with me.

00:31:33.779 --> 00:31:34.500
 A pound

00:31:34.500 --> 00:31:35.420
 or excuse me

00:31:35.420 --> 00:31:36.380
 gaining a pound

00:31:36.380 --> 00:31:36.779
 it's about

00:31:36.779 --> 00:31:39.340
 3200 more calories

00:31:39.340 --> 00:31:41.420
 on top of the 2800.

00:31:41.880 --> 00:31:42.560
 So more than

00:31:42.560 --> 00:31:43.080
 double

00:31:43.080 --> 00:31:44.039
 what you had

00:31:44.039 --> 00:31:44.759
 to have before.

00:31:45.320 --> 00:31:46.019
 So that's about

00:31:46.019 --> 00:31:48.220
 45 to 50

00:31:48.220 --> 00:31:48.960
 cups

00:31:48.960 --> 00:31:50.039
 of vegetables

00:31:50.039 --> 00:31:51.120
 more than

00:31:51.120 --> 00:31:52.100
 10 pounds

00:31:52.100 --> 00:31:53.100
 of vegetables

00:31:53.100 --> 00:31:53.820
 a day.

00:31:55.960 --> 00:31:56.800
 Let me tell you

00:31:56.800 --> 00:31:57.180
 they didn't eat

00:31:57.180 --> 00:31:57.759
 10 pounds

00:31:57.759 --> 00:31:58.259
 of vegetables

00:31:58.259 --> 00:31:58.580
 a day.

00:32:01.320 --> 00:32:02.340
 God was able

00:32:02.340 --> 00:32:03.820
 at the end

00:32:03.820 --> 00:32:04.460
 of this time

00:32:04.460 --> 00:32:05.840
 to allow them

00:32:05.840 --> 00:32:06.840
 to be better

00:32:06.840 --> 00:32:07.860
 and fatter.

00:32:07.980 --> 00:32:08.759
 They were tested

00:32:08.759 --> 00:32:10.500
 and they excelled.

00:32:10.600 --> 00:32:11.640
 God allowed

00:32:11.640 --> 00:32:12.180
 these boys

00:32:12.180 --> 00:32:12.880
 to flourish.

00:32:13.920 --> 00:32:14.680
 So the steward

00:32:14.680 --> 00:32:16.120
 honors the request

00:32:16.120 --> 00:32:16.779
 and the boys

00:32:16.779 --> 00:32:18.079
 remain pure

00:32:18.079 --> 00:32:19.000
 and undefiled

00:32:19.000 --> 00:32:19.920
 and he

00:32:19.920 --> 00:32:21.000
 gives them

00:32:21.000 --> 00:32:21.600
 veggies

00:32:21.600 --> 00:32:22.420
 and water

00:32:22.420 --> 00:32:23.100
 to eat

00:32:23.100 --> 00:32:24.299
 for the rest

00:32:24.299 --> 00:32:24.960
 of their time

00:32:24.960 --> 00:32:25.740
 for three years.

00:32:26.360 --> 00:32:26.480
 Now

00:32:26.480 --> 00:32:28.480
 he gives them

00:32:28.480 --> 00:32:29.340
 vegetables

00:32:29.340 --> 00:32:30.880
 and water

00:32:30.880 --> 00:32:32.380
 for breakfast

00:32:32.380 --> 00:32:33.900
 and lunch

00:32:33.900 --> 00:32:35.080
 and dinner

00:32:35.080 --> 00:32:36.660
 for three years

00:32:36.660 --> 00:32:38.780
 without ranch

00:32:38.780 --> 00:32:41.800
 without dip.

00:32:42.260 --> 00:32:43.300
 That alone

00:32:43.300 --> 00:32:43.960
 is a miracle.

00:32:43.960 --> 00:32:44.059
 table.

00:32:49.340 --> 00:32:50.140
 This was not

00:32:50.140 --> 00:32:50.819
 easy for them

00:32:50.819 --> 00:32:52.779
 to eat

00:32:52.779 --> 00:32:53.519
 beans

00:32:53.519 --> 00:32:54.240
 and broccoli

00:32:54.240 --> 00:32:54.960
 and carrots

00:32:54.960 --> 00:32:55.960
 and cucumbers

00:32:55.960 --> 00:32:57.759
 but then

00:32:57.759 --> 00:32:58.880
 consider

00:32:58.880 --> 00:32:59.340
 sitting

00:32:59.340 --> 00:33:00.039
 at the only

00:33:00.039 --> 00:33:00.480
 table

00:33:00.480 --> 00:33:01.440
 there in

00:33:01.440 --> 00:33:01.779
 Babylon

00:33:01.779 --> 00:33:03.079
 with your

00:33:03.079 --> 00:33:03.460
 peers

00:33:03.460 --> 00:33:04.220
 and the only

00:33:04.220 --> 00:33:04.640
 ones

00:33:04.640 --> 00:33:05.519
 who are not

00:33:05.519 --> 00:33:05.920
 eating

00:33:05.920 --> 00:33:07.019
 the filet mignon

00:33:07.019 --> 00:33:08.279
 and the baked

00:33:08.279 --> 00:33:08.819
 potatoes

00:33:08.819 --> 00:33:09.980
 and the chocolate

00:33:09.980 --> 00:33:10.400
 cake.

00:33:12.059 --> 00:33:12.340
 It would

00:33:12.340 --> 00:33:12.799
 have opened

00:33:12.799 --> 00:33:13.240
 them up

00:33:13.240 --> 00:33:13.960
 for criticism

00:33:13.960 --> 00:33:14.879
 and ridicule.

00:33:15.539 --> 00:33:15.799
 It would

00:33:15.799 --> 00:33:16.180
 have set

00:33:16.180 --> 00:33:16.700
 them apart

00:33:16.700 --> 00:33:17.279
 not only

00:33:17.279 --> 00:33:17.720
 from their

00:33:17.720 --> 00:33:18.059
 peers

00:33:18.059 --> 00:33:18.639
 but also

00:33:18.639 --> 00:33:19.139
 drawing

00:33:19.139 --> 00:33:20.019
 attention

00:33:20.019 --> 00:33:21.379
 to themselves

00:33:21.379 --> 00:33:22.240
 even by

00:33:22.240 --> 00:33:22.740
 the chief

00:33:22.740 --> 00:33:23.259
 stewards.

00:33:23.759 --> 00:33:24.019
 Now

00:33:24.019 --> 00:33:25.079
 their life

00:33:25.079 --> 00:33:26.379
 is a spectacle.

00:33:26.839 --> 00:33:27.460
 I want you

00:33:27.460 --> 00:33:28.159
 to understand

00:33:28.159 --> 00:33:28.859
 this was

00:33:28.859 --> 00:33:29.799
 not an easy

00:33:29.799 --> 00:33:30.319
 decision.

00:33:31.059 --> 00:33:31.539
 Now

00:33:31.539 --> 00:33:32.339
 their life

00:33:32.339 --> 00:33:33.139
 is an open

00:33:33.139 --> 00:33:33.940
 book.

00:33:34.339 --> 00:33:34.919
 They are living

00:33:34.919 --> 00:33:36.099
 in the spotlight.

00:33:36.740 --> 00:33:37.500
 Every decision,

00:33:37.720 --> 00:33:38.359
 every word,

00:33:38.519 --> 00:33:39.379
 every action

00:33:39.379 --> 00:33:40.359
 is under

00:33:40.359 --> 00:33:41.319
 the microscope.

00:33:41.319 --> 00:33:42.939
 This is not

00:33:42.939 --> 00:33:43.539
 an enviable

00:33:43.539 --> 00:33:44.460
 place to be.

00:33:46.460 --> 00:33:47.099
 If you've

00:33:47.099 --> 00:33:47.559
 ever been

00:33:47.559 --> 00:33:48.200
 in that

00:33:48.200 --> 00:33:48.779
 situation,

00:33:49.359 --> 00:33:49.819
 you do

00:33:49.819 --> 00:33:50.379
 whatever you

00:33:50.379 --> 00:33:50.759
 can to

00:33:50.759 --> 00:33:51.279
 duck your

00:33:51.279 --> 00:33:51.659
 head,

00:33:52.000 --> 00:33:52.359
 to run

00:33:52.359 --> 00:33:52.939
 for cover,

00:33:53.159 --> 00:33:53.579
 to be

00:33:53.579 --> 00:33:54.019
 anonymous,

00:33:54.399 --> 00:33:54.799
 but not

00:33:54.799 --> 00:33:55.299
 these boys.

00:33:56.279 --> 00:33:56.700
 They stood

00:33:56.700 --> 00:33:57.139
 for God.

00:33:57.720 --> 00:33:58.279
 How would

00:33:58.279 --> 00:33:58.799
 they fare?

00:33:59.480 --> 00:33:59.899
 Will they

00:33:59.899 --> 00:34:00.419
 survive

00:34:00.419 --> 00:34:01.099
 to the

00:34:01.099 --> 00:34:01.619
 finish line?

00:34:02.419 --> 00:34:02.720
 And of

00:34:02.720 --> 00:34:03.159
 course we

00:34:03.159 --> 00:34:04.220
 find from

00:34:04.220 --> 00:34:05.259
 verse 17

00:34:05.259 --> 00:34:05.720
 to 20,

00:34:06.059 --> 00:34:06.740
 that's exactly

00:34:06.740 --> 00:34:07.299
 what happens.

00:34:07.439 --> 00:34:08.480
 God gives

00:34:08.480 --> 00:34:09.440
 them health

00:34:09.440 --> 00:34:10.239
 but also God

00:34:10.239 --> 00:34:10.779
 gives them

00:34:10.779 --> 00:34:11.179
 learning.

00:34:11.940 --> 00:34:12.440
 He gives

00:34:12.440 --> 00:34:12.960
 them learning

00:34:12.960 --> 00:34:13.480
 notice.

00:34:14.380 --> 00:34:14.760
 As for

00:34:14.760 --> 00:34:15.500
 these four

00:34:15.500 --> 00:34:16.080
 youths,

00:34:16.100 --> 00:34:16.600
 God gave

00:34:16.600 --> 00:34:17.360
 them learning

00:34:17.360 --> 00:34:18.460
 and skill

00:34:18.460 --> 00:34:18.860
 in all

00:34:18.860 --> 00:34:19.240
 literature

00:34:19.240 --> 00:34:19.900
 and wisdom

00:34:19.900 --> 00:34:20.840
 and Daniel

00:34:20.840 --> 00:34:21.559
 had understanding

00:34:21.559 --> 00:34:22.140
 in all visions

00:34:22.140 --> 00:34:22.800
 and dreams.

00:34:23.160 --> 00:34:23.640
 At the end

00:34:23.640 --> 00:34:24.140
 of the time

00:34:24.140 --> 00:34:24.660
 when the king

00:34:24.660 --> 00:34:25.680
 had commanded

00:34:25.680 --> 00:34:26.360
 that they

00:34:26.360 --> 00:34:26.680
 should be

00:34:26.680 --> 00:34:27.500
 brought in,

00:34:27.760 --> 00:34:28.280
 the chief

00:34:28.280 --> 00:34:28.900
 of the eunuchs

00:34:28.900 --> 00:34:29.580
 brought them

00:34:29.580 --> 00:34:30.780
 in before

00:34:30.780 --> 00:34:31.620
 Nebuchadnezzar

00:34:31.620 --> 00:34:33.120
 and the king

00:34:33.120 --> 00:34:34.039
 spoke with him

00:34:34.039 --> 00:34:34.820
 and among

00:34:34.820 --> 00:34:35.660
 all of them

00:34:35.660 --> 00:34:36.220
 none

00:34:36.220 --> 00:34:37.180
 was found

00:34:37.180 --> 00:34:38.019
 like Daniel,

00:34:38.420 --> 00:34:38.780
 Hanani,

00:34:39.340 --> 00:34:39.920
 Mishael,

00:34:40.100 --> 00:34:40.860
 and Azariah,

00:34:40.860 --> 00:34:41.800
 just pause

00:34:41.800 --> 00:34:42.680
 for a moment.

00:34:43.039 --> 00:34:43.660
 One of the

00:34:43.660 --> 00:34:45.519
 primary conditions

00:34:45.519 --> 00:34:46.400
 about standing

00:34:46.400 --> 00:34:47.240
 before the king

00:34:47.240 --> 00:34:48.320
 had to do

00:34:48.320 --> 00:34:49.579
 with appearance.

00:34:51.380 --> 00:34:52.440
 These guys

00:34:52.440 --> 00:34:53.640
 were stunning.

00:34:54.920 --> 00:34:55.519
 These guys

00:34:55.519 --> 00:34:56.019
 were head

00:34:56.019 --> 00:34:56.519
 turners.

00:34:57.559 --> 00:34:58.300
 These guys

00:34:58.300 --> 00:34:59.140
 were striking

00:34:59.140 --> 00:35:00.160
 in every way

00:35:00.160 --> 00:35:01.079
 and God

00:35:01.079 --> 00:35:01.960
 did that.

00:35:02.640 --> 00:35:03.420
 But moving

00:35:03.420 --> 00:35:03.800
 on,

00:35:04.480 --> 00:35:05.280
 therefore,

00:35:05.280 --> 00:35:06.360
 they stood

00:35:06.360 --> 00:35:06.920
 before the king.

00:35:07.860 --> 00:35:08.560
 And in every

00:35:08.560 --> 00:35:09.680
 matter of wisdom

00:35:09.680 --> 00:35:10.500
 and understanding

00:35:10.500 --> 00:35:11.660
 about which the king

00:35:11.660 --> 00:35:12.380
 inquired them,

00:35:12.440 --> 00:35:13.200
 he found them

00:35:13.200 --> 00:35:14.540
 ten times better

00:35:14.540 --> 00:35:16.120
 than all the magicians

00:35:16.120 --> 00:35:17.340
 and the enchanters

00:35:17.340 --> 00:35:18.140
 that were in all

00:35:18.140 --> 00:35:18.640
 his kingdom.

00:35:19.540 --> 00:35:20.019
 And Daniel

00:35:20.019 --> 00:35:20.460
 was there

00:35:20.460 --> 00:35:21.200
 until the first

00:35:21.200 --> 00:35:22.760
 year of King Cyrus.

00:35:23.920 --> 00:35:24.540
 These boys,

00:35:25.019 --> 00:35:25.780
 around 14

00:35:25.780 --> 00:35:26.380
 or 15

00:35:26.380 --> 00:35:27.640
 when they started

00:35:27.640 --> 00:35:28.740
 this program,

00:35:28.940 --> 00:35:29.940
 now maybe 17

00:35:29.940 --> 00:35:31.019
 or 18

00:35:31.019 --> 00:35:31.800
 when they finish.

00:35:31.800 --> 00:35:32.780
 and they aren't

00:35:32.780 --> 00:35:34.060
 just the valedictorians

00:35:34.060 --> 00:35:35.100
 of their class.

00:35:35.760 --> 00:35:35.960
 No,

00:35:36.100 --> 00:35:37.100
 these guys

00:35:37.100 --> 00:35:38.039
 are smarter

00:35:38.039 --> 00:35:39.360
 than everyone

00:35:39.360 --> 00:35:40.360
 in the kingdom.

00:35:40.600 --> 00:35:41.519
 And not just

00:35:41.519 --> 00:35:42.160
 smarter,

00:35:42.480 --> 00:35:43.700
 they are ten times

00:35:43.700 --> 00:35:44.460
 smarter

00:35:44.460 --> 00:35:45.519
 than anyone

00:35:45.519 --> 00:35:46.200
 in the kingdom.

00:35:46.440 --> 00:35:47.360
 They make everyone

00:35:47.360 --> 00:35:49.140
 else look stupid.

00:35:50.519 --> 00:35:51.640
 God did that.

00:35:52.500 --> 00:35:53.240
 Another miracle.

00:35:54.860 --> 00:35:55.480
 Their commitment

00:35:55.480 --> 00:35:56.000
 to God

00:35:56.000 --> 00:35:57.120
 not only set them

00:35:57.120 --> 00:35:58.260
 apart from their peers

00:35:58.260 --> 00:35:59.220
 spiritually,

00:36:00.060 --> 00:36:01.180
 but God allowed

00:36:01.180 --> 00:36:01.460
 them

00:36:01.460 --> 00:36:02.679
 to stand apart

00:36:02.679 --> 00:36:03.639
 from everyone

00:36:03.639 --> 00:36:04.420
 else in the kingdom

00:36:04.420 --> 00:36:05.360
 as it related

00:36:05.360 --> 00:36:05.900
 to wisdom,

00:36:06.820 --> 00:36:07.480
 as it related

00:36:07.480 --> 00:36:08.240
 to understanding.

00:36:09.420 --> 00:36:09.880
 Certainly,

00:36:10.019 --> 00:36:10.500
 their ability

00:36:10.500 --> 00:36:11.460
 to solve riddles,

00:36:11.960 --> 00:36:12.840
 answer complex

00:36:12.840 --> 00:36:13.460
 questions,

00:36:13.900 --> 00:36:14.860
 apply logic

00:36:14.860 --> 00:36:15.559
 and reason

00:36:15.559 --> 00:36:16.699
 to sophisticated

00:36:16.699 --> 00:36:17.559
 issues.

00:36:18.760 --> 00:36:19.460
 They're not only

00:36:19.460 --> 00:36:20.820
 trained in philosophy,

00:36:21.220 --> 00:36:22.079
 in language,

00:36:22.340 --> 00:36:22.960
 in history,

00:36:23.159 --> 00:36:23.940
 but also

00:36:23.940 --> 00:36:24.820
 mathematics,

00:36:25.280 --> 00:36:26.019
 in astrology,

00:36:26.420 --> 00:36:27.139
 in engineering.

00:36:28.440 --> 00:36:29.860
 They find themselves

00:36:29.860 --> 00:36:31.019
 to be the complete

00:36:31.019 --> 00:36:31.800
 package.

00:36:32.159 --> 00:36:33.940
 They are the experts

00:36:33.940 --> 00:36:35.320
 in everything.

00:36:37.099 --> 00:36:37.900
 God did that.

00:36:39.340 --> 00:36:39.800
 No doubt,

00:36:39.860 --> 00:36:40.480
 their comprehension

00:36:40.480 --> 00:36:41.119
 of languages,

00:36:41.440 --> 00:36:41.880
 their ability

00:36:41.880 --> 00:36:42.780
 to write,

00:36:43.500 --> 00:36:44.360
 their recollection

00:36:44.360 --> 00:36:45.039
 of facts,

00:36:45.340 --> 00:36:46.440
 historical details,

00:36:46.860 --> 00:36:47.940
 names and dates

00:36:47.940 --> 00:36:48.679
 and battles,

00:36:48.980 --> 00:36:50.500
 whatever Nebuchadnezzar

00:36:50.500 --> 00:36:51.699
 wanted to ask them

00:36:51.699 --> 00:36:52.199
 and put them

00:36:52.199 --> 00:36:52.860
 on the spot,

00:36:53.280 --> 00:36:54.300
 perfect recall,

00:36:54.519 --> 00:36:55.519
 they had the answer.

00:36:55.519 --> 00:36:58.340
 They showed themselves

00:36:58.340 --> 00:36:59.300
 to be superior

00:36:59.300 --> 00:37:00.719
 in intellect.

00:37:02.219 --> 00:37:02.920
 And so they stood

00:37:02.920 --> 00:37:03.880
 before the king.

00:37:04.800 --> 00:37:05.739
 God did this.

00:37:06.380 --> 00:37:07.519
 God allowed them

00:37:07.519 --> 00:37:08.239
 to flourish.

00:37:08.880 --> 00:37:09.759
 God caused

00:37:09.759 --> 00:37:10.920
 them success.

00:37:11.239 --> 00:37:12.099
 God advanced

00:37:12.099 --> 00:37:13.119
 their cause,

00:37:13.460 --> 00:37:14.940
 affirmed their convictions

00:37:14.940 --> 00:37:16.619
 and granted them favor.

00:37:16.880 --> 00:37:17.699
 He established

00:37:17.699 --> 00:37:18.920
 his servants.

00:37:19.460 --> 00:37:20.539
 He promoted them

00:37:20.539 --> 00:37:21.980
 in the courts

00:37:21.980 --> 00:37:22.880
 of Babylon.

00:37:22.880 --> 00:37:24.099
 God did that.

00:37:26.660 --> 00:37:27.480
 And finally,

00:37:28.300 --> 00:37:29.440
 this final verse

00:37:29.440 --> 00:37:30.180
 in verse 21,

00:37:31.480 --> 00:37:32.099
 which we probably

00:37:32.099 --> 00:37:32.700
 read over

00:37:32.700 --> 00:37:33.940
 and just pass right through,

00:37:34.260 --> 00:37:35.039
 but it's significant.

00:37:35.220 --> 00:37:36.340
 God gave them longevity,

00:37:37.400 --> 00:37:38.220
 especially Daniel.

00:37:38.400 --> 00:37:39.800
 God gave Daniel

00:37:39.800 --> 00:37:40.920
 longevity.

00:37:41.920 --> 00:37:42.460
 And Daniel

00:37:42.460 --> 00:37:43.160
 was there

00:37:43.160 --> 00:37:44.559
 until the first year

00:37:44.559 --> 00:37:46.220
 of King Cyrus.

00:37:46.219 --> 00:37:48.679
 the staying power

00:37:48.679 --> 00:37:50.019
 of Daniel

00:37:50.019 --> 00:37:51.279
 bore testimony

00:37:51.279 --> 00:37:53.199
 to the staying power

00:37:53.199 --> 00:37:54.919
 of Daniel's God.

00:37:56.679 --> 00:37:57.359
 Nebuchadnezzar

00:37:57.359 --> 00:37:58.039
 would come

00:37:58.039 --> 00:37:58.619
 and go.

00:37:59.019 --> 00:37:59.379
 Babylon,

00:37:59.599 --> 00:38:00.039
 the empire,

00:38:00.179 --> 00:38:00.719
 would come

00:38:00.719 --> 00:38:01.419
 and go.

00:38:01.639 --> 00:38:02.559
 A new empire

00:38:02.559 --> 00:38:04.000
 would rise up.

00:38:04.299 --> 00:38:05.159
 Media Persia

00:38:05.159 --> 00:38:06.319
 and the first king

00:38:06.319 --> 00:38:07.000
 would come

00:38:07.000 --> 00:38:07.439
 and go.

00:38:07.699 --> 00:38:08.259
 But Daniel

00:38:08.259 --> 00:38:09.500
 remains present

00:38:09.500 --> 00:38:11.099
 because Daniel's God

00:38:11.099 --> 00:38:12.239
 is transcendent

00:38:12.239 --> 00:38:12.779
 over it all.

00:38:12.780 --> 00:38:18.660
 Media Persia

00:38:18.660 --> 00:38:18.960
 would

00:38:18.960 --> 00:38:21.580
 take power

00:38:21.580 --> 00:38:22.980
 in 539 BC,

00:38:23.400 --> 00:38:24.480
 60 years

00:38:24.480 --> 00:38:25.660
 after the original

00:38:25.660 --> 00:38:26.440
 captivity.

00:38:27.240 --> 00:38:27.780
 And Daniel

00:38:27.780 --> 00:38:28.300
 would remain

00:38:28.300 --> 00:38:29.400
 for another 10 years

00:38:29.400 --> 00:38:30.440
 in service

00:38:30.440 --> 00:38:31.560
 to the empire

00:38:31.560 --> 00:38:32.300
 of Persia.

00:38:34.800 --> 00:38:36.000
 Daniel remained

00:38:36.000 --> 00:38:37.120
 as a testimony

00:38:37.120 --> 00:38:38.660
 to the power

00:38:38.660 --> 00:38:39.200
 of God

00:38:39.200 --> 00:38:40.360
 over kings

00:38:40.360 --> 00:38:41.280
 and kingdoms

00:38:41.280 --> 00:38:42.880
 as the prophet Isaiah

00:38:42.880 --> 00:38:44.560
 says in Isaiah 40, 15.

00:38:45.220 --> 00:38:45.840
 Behold,

00:38:46.220 --> 00:38:47.120
 the nations

00:38:47.120 --> 00:38:48.120
 are like a drop

00:38:48.120 --> 00:38:48.660
 in the bucket

00:38:48.660 --> 00:38:50.240
 and are accounted

00:38:50.240 --> 00:38:51.060
 as dust

00:38:51.060 --> 00:38:52.140
 on the scales.

00:38:52.320 --> 00:38:52.960
 Behold,

00:38:53.519 --> 00:38:54.480
 he takes up

00:38:54.480 --> 00:38:55.660
 the coastlines

00:38:55.660 --> 00:38:57.380
 like fine dust.

00:38:57.780 --> 00:38:59.200
 That is Daniel's God

00:38:59.200 --> 00:39:00.000
 and that

00:39:00.000 --> 00:39:00.960
 is your God.

00:39:02.100 --> 00:39:02.760
 Your God

00:39:02.760 --> 00:39:03.900
 who is faithful.

00:39:04.540 --> 00:39:05.280
 Your God

00:39:05.280 --> 00:39:06.280
 who is able.

00:39:06.620 --> 00:39:08.080
 How do our lives

00:39:08.080 --> 00:39:09.400
 bear testimony,

00:39:09.840 --> 00:39:10.660
 bear witness,

00:39:10.659 --> 00:39:12.379
 preach the gospel

00:39:12.379 --> 00:39:13.799
 of our commitment

00:39:13.799 --> 00:39:14.779
 to a God

00:39:14.779 --> 00:39:15.599
 who is a God

00:39:15.599 --> 00:39:16.239
 over all,

00:39:16.619 --> 00:39:17.119
 faithful

00:39:17.119 --> 00:39:18.519
 and able

00:39:18.519 --> 00:39:19.699
 and powerful

00:39:19.699 --> 00:39:20.819
 and loving

00:39:20.819 --> 00:39:22.000
 and intimate

00:39:22.000 --> 00:39:23.379
 and desiring fellowship

00:39:23.379 --> 00:39:24.440
 that comes only

00:39:24.440 --> 00:39:25.539
 through his son

00:39:25.539 --> 00:39:26.339
 Jesus Christ,

00:39:26.599 --> 00:39:27.159
 his death

00:39:27.159 --> 00:39:28.000
 and resurrection.

00:39:28.399 --> 00:39:29.259
 Do you know him?

00:39:30.259 --> 00:39:31.500
 Have you bowed the knee?

00:39:32.119 --> 00:39:32.920
 Have you confessed

00:39:32.920 --> 00:39:33.519
 your sin?

00:39:33.799 --> 00:39:34.980
 Have you invited Jesus

00:39:34.980 --> 00:39:36.139
 to be the Lord

00:39:36.139 --> 00:39:36.619
 of your life?

00:39:36.859 --> 00:39:37.920
 And if you have,

00:39:38.199 --> 00:39:38.859
 does your life

00:39:38.860 --> 00:39:39.700
 demonstrate

00:39:39.700 --> 00:39:40.920
 a commitment,

00:39:41.480 --> 00:39:42.280
 a resolution

00:39:42.280 --> 00:39:43.320
 as it were?

00:39:43.519 --> 00:39:44.320
 Have you resolved

00:39:44.320 --> 00:39:45.200
 in your heart

00:39:45.200 --> 00:39:47.340
 as the inner parts

00:39:47.340 --> 00:39:48.160
 of your life,

00:39:48.220 --> 00:39:49.079
 the very core

00:39:49.079 --> 00:39:50.300
 of who you are,

00:39:50.579 --> 00:39:51.300
 show affection

00:39:51.300 --> 00:39:52.320
 for God

00:39:52.320 --> 00:39:53.220
 and confidence

00:39:53.220 --> 00:39:54.320
 in what only God

00:39:54.320 --> 00:39:54.920
 can do?

00:39:58.500 --> 00:39:59.320
 When people

00:39:59.320 --> 00:39:59.980
 look at your life

00:39:59.980 --> 00:40:00.559
 do they say,

00:40:01.320 --> 00:40:03.740
 their God

00:40:03.740 --> 00:40:05.680
 must be

00:40:05.680 --> 00:40:07.300
 the only true God.

00:40:07.300 --> 00:40:09.920
 may our lives

00:40:09.920 --> 00:40:10.920
 demonstrate

00:40:10.920 --> 00:40:11.420
 a commitment

00:40:11.420 --> 00:40:13.019
 to the God

00:40:13.019 --> 00:40:14.100
 of the word

00:40:14.100 --> 00:40:15.700
 and may

00:40:15.700 --> 00:40:16.420
 our lives

00:40:16.420 --> 00:40:17.400
 demonstrate

00:40:17.400 --> 00:40:18.980
 that we not only

00:40:18.980 --> 00:40:19.620
 love him

00:40:19.620 --> 00:40:21.039
 but we trust him,

00:40:21.560 --> 00:40:22.400
 his faithfulness,

00:40:22.680 --> 00:40:23.440
 his power,

00:40:23.860 --> 00:40:24.600
 his goodness.

00:40:25.260 --> 00:40:25.740
 Let's pray.

00:40:25.739 --> 00:40:33.379
 Lord,

00:40:33.419 --> 00:40:33.959
 thank you for this

00:40:33.959 --> 00:40:35.019
 story of Daniel

00:40:35.019 --> 00:40:37.079
 and especially,

00:40:37.279 --> 00:40:37.359
 Lord,

00:40:37.419 --> 00:40:38.359
 this isn't a story

00:40:38.359 --> 00:40:39.000
 of Daniel

00:40:39.000 --> 00:40:40.159
 and Shadrach,

00:40:40.259 --> 00:40:40.599
 Meshach,

00:40:40.659 --> 00:40:41.119
 and Abednego.

00:40:42.359 --> 00:40:43.739
 This is the story

00:40:43.739 --> 00:40:44.919
 of our God

00:40:44.919 --> 00:40:45.739
 who is over all.

00:40:46.779 --> 00:40:47.079
 A God

00:40:47.079 --> 00:40:47.859
 who is transcendent,

00:40:47.919 --> 00:40:48.299
 a God

00:40:48.299 --> 00:40:51.119
 of the nations

00:40:51.119 --> 00:40:51.979
 as it were.

00:40:53.359 --> 00:40:53.599
 And so,

00:40:53.659 --> 00:40:53.759
 Lord,

00:40:53.760 --> 00:40:54.460
 I pray that we

00:40:54.460 --> 00:40:55.900
 would demonstrate

00:40:55.900 --> 00:40:56.760
 in our own life

00:40:56.760 --> 00:40:57.320
 a commitment

00:40:57.320 --> 00:40:59.080
 to the God

00:40:59.080 --> 00:40:59.900
 who is over all,

00:40:59.960 --> 00:41:00.880
 the King of kings

00:41:00.880 --> 00:41:01.660
 and the Lord

00:41:01.660 --> 00:41:02.080
 of lords.

00:41:02.980 --> 00:41:03.480
 In whatever

00:41:03.480 --> 00:41:04.620
 situations we find

00:41:04.620 --> 00:41:05.180
 ourselves,

00:41:05.800 --> 00:41:06.060
 oh Lord,

00:41:06.120 --> 00:41:06.520
 I pray

00:41:06.520 --> 00:41:07.980
 that you would

00:41:07.980 --> 00:41:08.640
 help us

00:41:08.640 --> 00:41:09.240
 to remain

00:41:09.240 --> 00:41:09.880
 steady

00:41:09.880 --> 00:41:11.060
 and stable,

00:41:11.520 --> 00:41:11.920
 recognizing

00:41:11.920 --> 00:41:12.620
 that you are

00:41:12.620 --> 00:41:13.680
 over those

00:41:13.680 --> 00:41:14.300
 situations

00:41:14.300 --> 00:41:15.280
 and you have

00:41:15.280 --> 00:41:15.860
 a purpose

00:41:15.860 --> 00:41:16.900
 for them,

00:41:17.020 --> 00:41:17.720
 not only to

00:41:17.720 --> 00:41:18.600
 draw us

00:41:18.600 --> 00:41:19.540
 into greater

00:41:19.540 --> 00:41:20.520
 faith in you,

00:41:20.519 --> 00:41:21.460
 but also to

00:41:21.460 --> 00:41:22.280
 draw others

00:41:22.280 --> 00:41:23.199
 around us

00:41:23.199 --> 00:41:24.219
 into seeing

00:41:24.219 --> 00:41:25.579
 your faithfulness

00:41:25.579 --> 00:41:26.679
 and your power.

00:41:27.559 --> 00:41:28.280
 May we not

00:41:28.280 --> 00:41:29.259
 miss those

00:41:29.259 --> 00:41:29.860
 opportunities.

00:41:31.739 --> 00:41:31.980
 God,

00:41:32.039 --> 00:41:32.739
 give us courage.

00:41:34.119 --> 00:41:34.579
 Help us

00:41:34.579 --> 00:41:35.219
 to remain

00:41:35.219 --> 00:41:35.980
 steadfast.

00:41:37.159 --> 00:41:37.739
 May our life

00:41:37.739 --> 00:41:38.280
 demonstrate

00:41:38.280 --> 00:41:38.940
 not only a

00:41:38.940 --> 00:41:39.679
 commitment to you

00:41:39.679 --> 00:41:41.239
 and an affection

00:41:41.239 --> 00:41:41.980
 for you,

00:41:42.619 --> 00:41:43.800
 but may our lives

00:41:43.800 --> 00:41:45.840
 reflect worship

00:41:45.840 --> 00:41:46.539
 and devotion

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 day by day.

00:41:48.340 --> 00:41:49.139
 In Jesus' name,

00:41:49.300 --> 00:41:49.500
 Amen.

00:41:50.519 --> 00:41:51.519
 Amen.