WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.580 Pastor Mike is away this week, and I'm very grateful for the opportunity to preach this morning. 00:00:04.719 --> 00:00:09.939 We're going to take a short break from the series on the Gospel of Matthew, 00:00:10.200 --> 00:00:13.679 and we're going to look at the well-known story of Daniel in the lion's den. 00:00:14.320 --> 00:00:17.699 Would you turn with me in your Bibles to Daniel chapter 6? 00:00:19.000 --> 00:00:23.320 If you're using one of those paperback pew Bibles, it's page 828. 00:00:25.260 --> 00:00:28.679 The title is Citizens of Heaven in a Land of Exile. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:32.380 We're going to be in Daniel chapter 6. 00:00:35.719 --> 00:00:41.620 This is a story about Daniel and God's people living in a land far away from home. 00:00:43.259 --> 00:00:47.120 Sometimes that word home can be a little bit complicated. 00:00:48.439 --> 00:00:53.640 Until I was a teenager, I lived as a missionary kid in Zaire, Africa, in Central Africa. 00:00:53.820 --> 00:00:56.019 It's now called the Democratic Republic of the Congo. 00:00:57.480 --> 00:00:59.359 And it was a wonderful life there. 00:00:59.359 --> 00:01:01.179 I went to the market with my mom. 00:01:01.560 --> 00:01:06.079 We played tag in the neighborhood, and there were these grassy hills behind our house, 00:01:06.140 --> 00:01:08.700 and we would go up there and play. 00:01:08.859 --> 00:01:10.239 And I just loved my home there. 00:01:10.280 --> 00:01:12.579 I loved the people there in Central Africa. 00:01:12.920 --> 00:01:19.400 I loved their big smiles and the laughter and the dancing and the fruit on the trees and the climate. 00:01:19.400 --> 00:01:22.020 And it was just a wonderful place to grow up. 00:01:22.020 --> 00:01:24.680 Just outdoors all the time and a slow pace of life. 00:01:26.060 --> 00:01:32.400 But there was a tension because even though that was my home, it wasn't really my home. 00:01:32.960 --> 00:01:33.780 You know what I mean by that? 00:01:33.780 --> 00:01:42.159 My parents taught me the Pledge of Allegiance and the U.S. National Anthem, and I learned about the U.S. Presidents. 00:01:43.240 --> 00:01:46.799 And people would ask me there in Zaire, where do you come from? 00:01:46.820 --> 00:01:47.799 And I would say, Ohio. 00:01:47.799 --> 00:01:47.920 Ohio. 00:01:48.679 --> 00:01:51.799 That wasn't really true, but it was kind of true. 00:01:52.959 --> 00:01:54.879 That was at least where my parents were from. 00:01:55.859 --> 00:01:57.519 And people would say to me, where are your grandparents? 00:01:57.759 --> 00:01:59.739 And I would say, well, they're in Ohio. 00:01:59.920 --> 00:02:02.659 That was true, but I didn't know them, really. 00:02:02.659 --> 00:02:05.879 I had met them when I was very young. 00:02:06.599 --> 00:02:11.039 So it was sort of confusing because my blue passport said that I was a citizen of the United States, 00:02:11.180 --> 00:02:18.120 but my real home was kind of in Africa, but technically my home was a place in the U.S. 00:02:18.139 --> 00:02:19.400 where I had spent very little time. 00:02:20.919 --> 00:02:24.079 And so then when we came back to the States permanently when I was in high school, 00:02:24.139 --> 00:02:27.400 I was living in Ohio, and then people would say to me, where are you from? 00:02:27.560 --> 00:02:29.539 And I would always hesitate. 00:02:29.539 --> 00:02:33.199 Two places, I guess, right? 00:02:33.239 --> 00:02:37.840 On the one hand, I was from Africa. 00:02:38.120 --> 00:02:41.500 That place felt like home, but I guess technically it really wasn't. 00:02:41.560 --> 00:02:47.000 And then on the other hand, I was in Ohio, which was technically my home, but sure didn't feel like it. 00:02:48.899 --> 00:02:52.680 Israel, too, had a home that had been a glorious gift of God. 00:02:53.199 --> 00:02:56.979 It was part of the covenant that God had made with Abraham and Isaac and Jacob. 00:02:56.979 --> 00:03:01.739 And that was where God had fought for them and delivered them from their enemies. 00:03:02.039 --> 00:03:08.060 That was the land of Joshua and Ruth and King David and King Solomon and Elijah and Elisha. 00:03:08.339 --> 00:03:09.959 That was where the temple was. 00:03:10.060 --> 00:03:11.579 That was where the priesthood was. 00:03:11.919 --> 00:03:17.399 That's where God's presence was manifested in a very special way, unlike any place else on earth. 00:03:17.500 --> 00:03:18.659 That was Israel. 00:03:18.819 --> 00:03:24.819 And that was where they were deeply connected to their faith and their identity as the people of God. 00:03:24.819 --> 00:03:29.900 So when they were conquered by the Babylonians and taken into exile, 00:03:30.039 --> 00:03:33.359 and the Babylonians tore down their temple and destroyed the priesthood 00:03:33.359 --> 00:03:36.199 and stole the furniture and the equipment out of the temple 00:03:36.199 --> 00:03:41.519 and brutally murdered some of the people of God and took others away into a foreign land, 00:03:41.719 --> 00:03:48.439 there was a crisis of some sort because they were now in danger of assimilating. 00:03:48.439 --> 00:03:55.000 They were in danger of becoming just like everybody else and losing their distinctives as the people of God 00:03:55.000 --> 00:04:00.319 and even disrupting God's promised plan of salvation that he would bring through Christ. 00:04:01.359 --> 00:04:06.319 Babylon and Persia were their new home, sort of, but not really their home. 00:04:06.419 --> 00:04:10.900 It couldn't be their ultimate home because they had to remain faithful to God 00:04:10.900 --> 00:04:15.900 even as they lived in a foreign land that was often quite hostile to them. 00:04:15.900 --> 00:04:22.340 So the book of Daniel was written to encourage the people of God as they lived in a foreign land. 00:04:22.420 --> 00:04:23.959 It's divided into two parts. 00:04:24.120 --> 00:04:30.879 The first six chapters are stories about God delivering Daniel and his friends 00:04:30.879 --> 00:04:33.459 from intense pressure and persecution at times. 00:04:34.240 --> 00:04:36.259 They're miraculously protected by him. 00:04:36.340 --> 00:04:39.720 And then chapters 7 through 12 are apocalyptic visions 00:04:39.720 --> 00:04:45.440 about the fact that God is in complete control of the affairs of the world 00:04:45.440 --> 00:04:47.380 and he will be victorious in the end. 00:04:47.640 --> 00:04:51.520 So it's a great encouragement to God's people who are tempted to despair. 00:04:51.700 --> 00:04:54.800 They may face difficulty and persecution. 00:04:55.360 --> 00:04:58.060 They may be hated and despised for their faith. 00:04:58.900 --> 00:05:00.600 But they are on the winning team. 00:05:00.600 --> 00:05:05.879 So no matter how bad things look right now for Daniel and his friends, 00:05:06.560 --> 00:05:08.300 God will vindicate his people. 00:05:08.540 --> 00:05:09.660 And this is good news for us. 00:05:09.740 --> 00:05:14.400 This is a powerful book for us because now we are the people of God living in exile. 00:05:16.200 --> 00:05:21.220 Before we knew Christ, we were full citizens of this world. 00:05:22.600 --> 00:05:26.379 Paul says in Ephesians chapter 2 that we follow the course of this world 00:05:26.379 --> 00:05:28.439 and the prince of the power of the air. 00:05:28.439 --> 00:05:34.360 This world is destined for destruction and that was our destiny too 00:05:34.360 --> 00:05:36.279 because we were citizens of this world. 00:05:36.939 --> 00:05:40.500 We were strangers and aliens to God's country. 00:05:43.279 --> 00:05:45.439 Separated from God and hostile to him. 00:05:46.480 --> 00:05:50.779 But when we committed our lives to Christ, we defected to his country. 00:05:51.379 --> 00:05:54.180 Paul says that we became fellow citizens with the saints 00:05:54.180 --> 00:05:55.959 and members of the household of God. 00:05:55.959 --> 00:06:01.019 When you think about it, most defectors, when they defect, 00:06:01.239 --> 00:06:02.819 they move to the new country, right? 00:06:02.859 --> 00:06:05.959 If you're a Russian citizen and you defect to the United States, 00:06:06.039 --> 00:06:10.000 you move to the United States because otherwise it would not be safe for you. 00:06:10.959 --> 00:06:12.500 But we don't move right to heaven. 00:06:13.120 --> 00:06:16.879 We defect to heaven and defect to God's country, 00:06:16.879 --> 00:06:18.000 but we stay here. 00:06:18.000 --> 00:06:24.199 We represent God in a fallen world and now it's complicated because we have two homes. 00:06:24.300 --> 00:06:26.540 We have this home and we have that home. 00:06:26.620 --> 00:06:28.339 This is the only world we've ever known, 00:06:28.720 --> 00:06:31.220 but now we're strangers here. 00:06:32.420 --> 00:06:34.319 We really belong someplace else. 00:06:34.420 --> 00:06:36.740 Our real home is in heaven, but we've never been there before. 00:06:36.740 --> 00:06:39.540 So it's not very easy. 00:06:40.519 --> 00:06:43.000 And sometimes in this society, people think we're crazy. 00:06:43.300 --> 00:06:45.439 We're crazy because of what we believe. 00:06:45.560 --> 00:06:49.900 We're crazy because we follow this Jesus who lived a long time ago. 00:06:50.019 --> 00:06:52.540 Or they think we're dangerous. 00:06:53.519 --> 00:06:59.939 They think we're dangerous because our stance on marriage means that we're bigots and hypocrites. 00:07:00.199 --> 00:07:04.519 Our stance on life in the womb means that we are anti-women. 00:07:04.519 --> 00:07:09.339 We're dangerously out of step with a progressive society, 00:07:09.879 --> 00:07:13.959 modern society, because we take our values from the Bible. 00:07:14.139 --> 00:07:16.599 And so the question is, I mean always, what should we do? 00:07:16.680 --> 00:07:19.919 How do we live here in exile in a faithful way, away from our home? 00:07:20.039 --> 00:07:26.299 And I think this is one of the key things that the book of Daniel in chapter 6 addresses for us. 00:07:27.060 --> 00:07:29.839 So let's take a look at Daniel chapter 6. 00:07:29.899 --> 00:07:32.079 We can divide this short story into three sections. 00:07:32.079 --> 00:07:34.579 Each of the sections has a little bit of a surprise for us. 00:07:34.659 --> 00:07:36.639 There's three sections and there's three surprises. 00:07:37.240 --> 00:07:39.719 And the first section is in verses 1 through 13. 00:07:39.859 --> 00:07:42.519 So I'm going to read that first part and then we'll talk about it and we'll read the second part. 00:07:42.819 --> 00:07:43.959 So please don't read ahead. 00:07:44.659 --> 00:07:45.620 I know it's hard. 00:07:45.919 --> 00:07:46.479 I know it's hard. 00:07:46.659 --> 00:07:47.039 Here we go. 00:07:47.300 --> 00:07:48.939 You're probably familiar with this story anyway. 00:07:50.000 --> 00:07:50.439 Here we go. 00:07:50.439 --> 00:07:51.279 It says in verse 1, 00:07:51.279 --> 00:07:55.620 It pleased Darius to appoint 120 satraps to rule throughout the kingdom, 00:07:56.420 --> 00:07:59.259 with three administrators over them, one of whom was Daniel. 00:08:00.040 --> 00:08:03.959 The satraps were made accountable to them so that the king might not suffer loss. 00:08:05.220 --> 00:08:10.720 Now Daniel so distinguished himself among the administrators and the satraps by his exceptional qualities 00:08:10.720 --> 00:08:15.199 that the king planned to set him over the entire kingdom. 00:08:15.199 --> 00:08:23.079 At this, the administrators and the satraps tried to find grounds for charges against Daniel in his conduct of government affairs. 00:08:23.939 --> 00:08:25.319 But they were unable to do so. 00:08:25.920 --> 00:08:30.740 They could find no corruption in him because he was trustworthy and neither corrupt nor negligent. 00:08:31.659 --> 00:08:32.759 Finally, these men said, 00:08:32.899 --> 00:08:38.600 We will never find any basis for charges against this man, Daniel, unless it has something to do with the law of his God. 00:08:38.600 --> 00:08:43.220 So these administrators and satraps went as a group to the king and said, 00:08:43.420 --> 00:08:44.820 May King Darius live forever. 00:08:45.540 --> 00:08:50.340 The royal administrators, prefects, satraps, advisors, and governors have all agreed 00:08:50.340 --> 00:08:53.540 that the king should issue an edict and enforce the decree 00:08:53.540 --> 00:08:58.420 that anyone who prays to any god or human being during the next 30 days, 00:08:58.519 --> 00:09:02.800 except to you, your majesty, shall be thrown into the lion's den. 00:09:03.560 --> 00:09:07.480 Now your majesty, issue the decree and put it in writing so that it cannot be altered 00:09:07.480 --> 00:09:11.759 in accordance with the law of the Medes and the Persians, which cannot be repealed. 00:09:12.700 --> 00:09:14.700 So King Darius put the decree in writing. 00:09:15.539 --> 00:09:18.019 Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, 00:09:18.200 --> 00:09:21.759 he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. 00:09:22.480 --> 00:09:24.800 Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, 00:09:24.940 --> 00:09:27.580 giving thanks to his God just as he had done before. 00:09:28.240 --> 00:09:32.139 Then these men went as a group and found Daniel praying and asking God for help. 00:09:32.740 --> 00:09:35.500 So they went to the king and spoke to him about his royal decree. 00:09:35.500 --> 00:09:40.559 Did you not publish a decree that during the next 30 days, 00:09:40.720 --> 00:09:44.899 anyone who prays to any god or human being except to you, your majesty, 00:09:45.340 --> 00:09:47.820 would be thrown into the lion's den? 00:09:48.620 --> 00:09:49.460 The king answered, 00:09:49.639 --> 00:09:52.940 The decree stands in accordance with the law of the Medes and the Persians, 00:09:53.039 --> 00:09:54.940 which cannot be repealed. 00:09:55.779 --> 00:09:56.899 Then they said to the king, 00:09:57.039 --> 00:09:59.379 Daniel, who is one of the exiles from Judah, 00:09:59.519 --> 00:10:01.379 pays no attention to you, your majesty, 00:10:01.659 --> 00:10:03.519 or to the decree you put in writing. 00:10:03.519 --> 00:10:06.899 He still prays three times a day. 00:10:07.740 --> 00:10:09.679 So the story begins with King Darius, 00:10:09.860 --> 00:10:11.840 who has not really been introduced to us, 00:10:11.879 --> 00:10:15.639 except in the previous verses back in chapter 5, 30 through 31, 00:10:16.240 --> 00:10:21.159 which tell us that Darius took over the kingdom from King Belshazzar at the age of 62. 00:10:23.079 --> 00:10:27.939 Persia was a massive empire that stretched from India in the east 00:10:27.939 --> 00:10:31.579 all the way over to Egypt and Asia Minor in the west. 00:10:31.580 --> 00:10:33.800 It was the largest empire ever seen. 00:10:34.660 --> 00:10:39.240 And it was divided into 120 regions that were governed by these satraps. 00:10:39.300 --> 00:10:41.180 So they had to have some sort of a complex bureaucracy 00:10:41.180 --> 00:10:43.440 because this is a very, very large empire. 00:10:44.060 --> 00:10:50.000 And verse 2 tells us that the king had placed three high officials over the 120 satraps. 00:10:50.259 --> 00:10:55.560 And verse 3 tells us that not only was Daniel one of these three high officials, 00:10:55.559 --> 00:10:59.419 but he was in line for promotion to run the entire kingdom. 00:11:00.239 --> 00:11:01.439 And why was this? 00:11:02.419 --> 00:11:04.019 Well, because it tells us in verse 2 00:11:04.019 --> 00:11:09.359 that he was not corrupt. 00:11:10.519 --> 00:11:12.879 The king felt he would not suffer loss. 00:11:12.879 --> 00:11:19.519 And in verse 3 it says that he had distinguished himself by his exceptional qualities. 00:11:20.480 --> 00:11:24.439 Now you know how it is when someone in the office is promoted to a higher position. 00:11:24.580 --> 00:11:26.879 Everybody grumbles and they gather around the water cooler 00:11:26.879 --> 00:11:28.620 and they all complain and get angry. 00:11:30.039 --> 00:11:35.379 And here the satraps and the high officials created a conspiracy against Daniel. 00:11:35.500 --> 00:11:36.919 They wanted him gone. 00:11:36.919 --> 00:11:41.740 But he was so exceptional and his character was so impressive 00:11:41.740 --> 00:11:44.099 that they couldn't find any way to take him down. 00:11:44.219 --> 00:11:45.479 Look what it says in verse 4. 00:11:45.599 --> 00:11:47.059 It says he was trustworthy. 00:11:47.939 --> 00:11:49.799 He was not corrupt. 00:11:50.579 --> 00:11:52.679 He was not negligent in his duties. 00:11:52.799 --> 00:11:57.179 In other words, he was a very, very strange government official. 00:12:01.399 --> 00:12:03.639 So there are two hints in the story, though, 00:12:03.639 --> 00:12:09.139 that the conspiracy was actually about more than just envy of his upcoming promotion. 00:12:09.980 --> 00:12:12.080 Because the first hint comes in verse 5 00:12:12.080 --> 00:12:14.600 when it says that we will bring a charge for him 00:12:14.600 --> 00:12:17.580 in accordance with the law of his God. 00:12:18.500 --> 00:12:19.939 And then look down at verse 13. 00:12:21.399 --> 00:12:26.120 It says in 13 that he was one of the exiles from Judah. 00:12:26.220 --> 00:12:29.159 Now, everybody knows that Daniel was one of the exiles from Judah. 00:12:29.259 --> 00:12:30.319 That had been long established. 00:12:30.460 --> 00:12:31.179 The king knew that. 00:12:31.279 --> 00:12:31.879 They knew that. 00:12:31.919 --> 00:12:32.679 So why bring it up? 00:12:33.539 --> 00:12:36.759 Well, it's just insight into their underlying motives. 00:12:37.000 --> 00:12:40.399 Maybe they thought that Daniel was not quite loyal enough to Persia. 00:12:40.919 --> 00:12:42.039 He's not really one of us. 00:12:42.059 --> 00:12:43.120 He doesn't belong here. 00:12:43.219 --> 00:12:45.419 He's not a true Persian. 00:12:46.639 --> 00:12:49.539 And so they hatch a conspiracy, and everyone is in on it. 00:12:49.599 --> 00:12:50.319 Look at verse 7. 00:12:50.319 --> 00:12:53.739 The royal administrators and the prefects and the satraps 00:12:53.739 --> 00:12:56.979 and the advisors and the governors have all agreed. 00:12:59.719 --> 00:13:01.259 They're all ganging up on him. 00:13:01.259 --> 00:13:03.139 And to appeal to the king's vanity, 00:13:03.379 --> 00:13:06.840 they recommend a law that prohibits praying to anyone but the king 00:13:06.840 --> 00:13:13.919 for a period of 30 days, just enough to prove that Daniel is unfaithful to the king. 00:13:14.019 --> 00:13:16.340 And so the king signs a decree that cannot be repealed, 00:13:16.460 --> 00:13:18.939 and now Daniel is in a very tough spot. 00:13:18.940 --> 00:13:30.240 To this point, his faith and his identity as a Jew have not gotten into conflict with his role in the Persian government. 00:13:30.600 --> 00:13:32.180 There hasn't been any conflict there. 00:13:32.179 --> 00:13:34.739 But now they've made it an issue. 00:13:35.899 --> 00:13:37.039 They've made it a problem. 00:13:37.259 --> 00:13:39.759 And he can take a break from his faith for 30 days, 00:13:39.839 --> 00:13:43.079 or he can be thrown to a den of lions. 00:13:44.739 --> 00:13:47.699 Now I know we're all probably pretty familiar with this story, 00:13:47.779 --> 00:13:50.919 but we don't want that to get in the way of some of the details here. 00:13:51.019 --> 00:13:55.519 Let's take just a moment and imagine death by lion. 00:13:55.519 --> 00:13:59.759 We don't want to minimize the threat here. 00:14:00.819 --> 00:14:02.559 You know, there are a lot of terrible ways to die. 00:14:03.199 --> 00:14:04.980 There are some ways to die that are not so bad, 00:14:05.740 --> 00:14:08.079 and then there are some terrible ways to die, 00:14:08.159 --> 00:14:11.939 and I would think that death by lions would be at the top. 00:14:13.699 --> 00:14:16.720 The Persians had all kinds of ways that they could have killed people. 00:14:16.819 --> 00:14:18.079 Very quick, very painless. 00:14:18.340 --> 00:14:20.240 Take a sword, for example. 00:14:20.240 --> 00:14:24.580 But to go through the trouble of death by lion, 00:14:24.740 --> 00:14:26.240 you have to procure the lions, 00:14:26.500 --> 00:14:28.659 and you have to house the lions and feed the lions. 00:14:29.560 --> 00:14:30.919 It's a big deal. 00:14:30.960 --> 00:14:31.620 Why would they do that? 00:14:31.639 --> 00:14:33.060 Because it was so brutal. 00:14:36.120 --> 00:14:37.879 We're talking about growling, 00:14:39.480 --> 00:14:39.960 biting, 00:14:41.399 --> 00:14:41.680 ripping, 00:14:43.259 --> 00:14:43.580 tearing, 00:14:45.000 --> 00:14:45.399 eating. 00:14:46.560 --> 00:14:47.899 I mean, we can stop there, right? 00:14:48.120 --> 00:14:49.039 It's bad. 00:14:49.480 --> 00:14:49.980 It's bad. 00:14:49.980 --> 00:14:50.960 It's a bad way to die. 00:14:52.740 --> 00:14:55.580 And so what Daniel is facing here for his faith 00:14:55.580 --> 00:14:57.300 is not being mocked. 00:14:58.240 --> 00:15:00.659 It's not being fired from his job. 00:15:01.899 --> 00:15:03.259 It's not going to jail. 00:15:03.440 --> 00:15:05.800 It's not even a painless beheading or something like that. 00:15:05.860 --> 00:15:07.399 It is death by lion. 00:15:08.920 --> 00:15:09.720 And in verse 10, 00:15:09.820 --> 00:15:11.600 we see the first surprise in this section, 00:15:12.000 --> 00:15:14.460 which is that when Daniel learned what was up, 00:15:15.080 --> 00:15:16.759 he went home to his upstairs room, 00:15:17.019 --> 00:15:18.440 got down on his knees and prayed, 00:15:18.440 --> 00:15:20.200 just as he had done before. 00:15:21.200 --> 00:15:24.840 He is well aware of the trap that they have laid for him, 00:15:25.320 --> 00:15:26.700 but without missing a beat, 00:15:27.120 --> 00:15:27.920 he goes home, 00:15:28.140 --> 00:15:28.960 gets on his knees, 00:15:29.160 --> 00:15:30.120 and prays to God. 00:15:30.220 --> 00:15:32.460 And think about the way that this is presented to us. 00:15:32.540 --> 00:15:32.900 It doesn't, 00:15:32.899 --> 00:15:35.459 the narrator does not present any conflict 00:15:35.459 --> 00:15:37.459 or any inner turmoil to us. 00:15:37.579 --> 00:15:39.439 It is just a reflex for him. 00:15:39.679 --> 00:15:40.659 It is time to pray, 00:15:40.740 --> 00:15:41.779 so he goes down and prays. 00:15:41.819 --> 00:15:43.860 He doesn't care what the edict was. 00:15:44.840 --> 00:15:46.620 But you can imagine the temptation 00:15:46.620 --> 00:15:48.639 that he was feeling. 00:15:48.639 --> 00:15:52.139 It is not a compromise. 00:15:52.139 --> 00:15:52.659 It is a little compromise. 00:15:54.059 --> 00:15:57.259 He is not actually being asked to break one of God's laws. 00:15:57.500 --> 00:16:00.559 He is only being asked to omit a spiritual discipline. 00:16:01.379 --> 00:16:02.319 It is not so big. 00:16:04.740 --> 00:16:07.679 He is not actually being asked to pray to the king. 00:16:08.539 --> 00:16:11.419 He is only being asked to refrain from praying to God. 00:16:11.500 --> 00:16:12.480 That is not quite, 00:16:12.539 --> 00:16:13.899 that is not idolatry, right? 00:16:13.959 --> 00:16:15.799 I mean, I have neglected prayer 00:16:15.799 --> 00:16:17.199 to listen to sports radio 00:16:17.199 --> 00:16:18.840 or because I was hungry for a snack. 00:16:20.840 --> 00:16:21.600 It is a big deal. 00:16:22.620 --> 00:16:23.919 He could change his routine. 00:16:24.079 --> 00:16:26.159 Why can't Daniel just pray in private? 00:16:27.319 --> 00:16:29.220 Or why can't he just pray secretly in his head? 00:16:29.259 --> 00:16:30.459 He could be doing other things 00:16:30.459 --> 00:16:31.240 and praying in his head 00:16:31.240 --> 00:16:32.039 and no one would even know. 00:16:32.079 --> 00:16:32.899 Why not just do that? 00:16:33.840 --> 00:16:35.480 It does not even have to look like he is praying. 00:16:37.779 --> 00:16:41.340 And he is only giving thanks to God, it says here. 00:16:41.419 --> 00:16:42.740 He is only giving thanks to God. 00:16:42.740 --> 00:16:43.180 It is not, 00:16:44.659 --> 00:16:47.200 surely that can go on hold for a couple of weeks. 00:16:49.500 --> 00:16:51.180 But besides, if he is killed, 00:16:51.700 --> 00:16:53.460 then he won't be able to look out 00:16:53.460 --> 00:16:54.860 for the other Jewish exiles 00:16:54.860 --> 00:16:56.639 and to exert positive influence 00:16:56.639 --> 00:16:57.480 in the Persian government. 00:16:57.620 --> 00:17:01.580 Think about the loss of good godly influence 00:17:01.580 --> 00:17:03.000 that will be lost in the government. 00:17:04.759 --> 00:17:05.859 Which is more important, 00:17:05.940 --> 00:17:06.859 to thank God 00:17:06.859 --> 00:17:10.900 or to have a faithful Yahweh honoring man 00:17:10.900 --> 00:17:12.480 with great character in power? 00:17:12.480 --> 00:17:15.059 I mean, surely you can take a break for 30 days. 00:17:16.380 --> 00:17:18.839 But even though the compromise seems small, 00:17:19.759 --> 00:17:21.059 look what it says in the text. 00:17:21.140 --> 00:17:21.360 It says, 00:17:21.480 --> 00:17:22.900 He went home to his upstairs room 00:17:22.900 --> 00:17:24.920 where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. 00:17:25.779 --> 00:17:27.339 Now, why is that detail in there? 00:17:27.339 --> 00:17:31.879 The narrator doesn't have to tell us that little detail about Jerusalem, 00:17:32.019 --> 00:17:35.519 but it does because it's a way of showing us 00:17:35.519 --> 00:17:37.759 that Daniel's home was someplace else. 00:17:39.000 --> 00:17:40.119 Daniel's true home, 00:17:40.199 --> 00:17:41.159 he lived in Persia, 00:17:41.240 --> 00:17:42.179 he worked in Persia, 00:17:42.259 --> 00:17:44.839 but his true home was in Jerusalem. 00:17:45.059 --> 00:17:46.419 And so when he got down to pray, 00:17:46.539 --> 00:17:48.240 he faced Jerusalem, 00:17:48.240 --> 00:17:50.559 and that was the sticking point. 00:17:53.039 --> 00:17:54.799 The Persian conspirators knew 00:17:54.799 --> 00:17:56.319 that this wasn't just about a little prayer. 00:17:56.680 --> 00:17:57.960 This was about loyalty. 00:17:59.900 --> 00:18:01.900 This was about Daniel's ultimate loyalty. 00:18:02.079 --> 00:18:04.000 And Daniel doesn't make a big show of his prayer. 00:18:04.140 --> 00:18:05.700 He doesn't ring the bells 00:18:05.700 --> 00:18:07.960 and make a big to-do of it, 00:18:07.960 --> 00:18:09.460 but he doesn't hide it either. 00:18:09.759 --> 00:18:13.100 He simply gets down, as always, and prays. 00:18:13.160 --> 00:18:13.920 And in verse 11, 00:18:14.039 --> 00:18:15.440 he's discovered by the officials, 00:18:15.660 --> 00:18:16.860 and they report him to the king, 00:18:16.940 --> 00:18:19.579 and they interpret his prayer as a disloyal act. 00:18:19.880 --> 00:18:21.240 Look what they say in verse 13. 00:18:21.860 --> 00:18:25.140 No one pays any attention to you, your majesty. 00:18:25.640 --> 00:18:27.620 He still prays three times a day. 00:18:29.079 --> 00:18:32.059 So the immovable object of Persian law 00:18:32.059 --> 00:18:36.000 has met the unstoppable force of Daniel's prayer, 00:18:36.000 --> 00:18:37.700 and something is going to have to give. 00:18:37.960 --> 00:18:41.660 So this first section of Daniel 00:18:41.660 --> 00:18:44.940 is dominated by these conspiring government officials. 00:18:45.160 --> 00:18:46.420 They're the only ones who speak, 00:18:46.559 --> 00:18:49.480 and the narrator presents them as a large group, 00:18:49.559 --> 00:18:50.340 all in agreement, 00:18:50.480 --> 00:18:51.980 who are scheming against Daniel. 00:18:52.680 --> 00:18:53.819 Daniel wasn't provocative. 00:18:54.340 --> 00:18:55.460 He didn't cause any trouble. 00:18:55.620 --> 00:18:56.600 He got up every day, 00:18:56.720 --> 00:18:57.799 and he went into the office, 00:18:58.140 --> 00:19:00.579 and he worked hard for the good of the Persian Empire, 00:19:00.779 --> 00:19:02.480 and he did what was best for the king, 00:19:02.480 --> 00:19:04.440 and for the welfare of his society, 00:19:04.440 --> 00:19:06.920 and he lost sleep over their problems, 00:19:06.920 --> 00:19:09.580 and he built relationships and networked with them, 00:19:09.880 --> 00:19:10.560 but at night, 00:19:10.880 --> 00:19:13.240 he went home and prayed toward Jerusalem. 00:19:14.740 --> 00:19:16.140 He lived in Persia, 00:19:16.220 --> 00:19:18.320 but he knew where his true home was. 00:19:19.120 --> 00:19:21.220 So when he was commanded to neglect 00:19:21.220 --> 00:19:23.680 even a small aspect of his faith, 00:19:24.120 --> 00:19:26.180 only a daily thanksgiving prayer, 00:19:26.460 --> 00:19:28.800 when his ultimate loyalty was challenged, 00:19:29.019 --> 00:19:31.880 he would not compromise even an inch. 00:19:31.880 --> 00:19:35.980 And we've seen this before in the book of Daniel. 00:19:36.060 --> 00:19:36.860 Back in chapter 1, 00:19:36.960 --> 00:19:40.060 Daniel and his friends are accommodating to the Babylonians, 00:19:40.140 --> 00:19:41.400 and they learn their language, 00:19:41.620 --> 00:19:42.580 and they eat their food, 00:19:42.720 --> 00:19:44.160 and they take Babylonian names, 00:19:44.500 --> 00:19:45.140 but it says, 00:19:45.340 --> 00:19:47.880 Daniel resolved that he would not defile himself 00:19:47.880 --> 00:19:49.080 with the unclean food. 00:19:49.280 --> 00:19:51.420 He drew a line, a hard line. 00:19:52.340 --> 00:19:52.720 He said, 00:19:52.840 --> 00:19:54.000 I will live in this land, 00:19:54.040 --> 00:19:55.460 and I will flourish in this land, 00:19:55.460 --> 00:19:56.680 but I will do nothing, 00:19:57.279 --> 00:19:58.519 no matter how small, 00:19:58.880 --> 00:20:01.279 that betrays my loyalty to God 00:20:01.279 --> 00:20:02.259 and my true home. 00:20:04.740 --> 00:20:05.700 And in chapter 3, 00:20:05.900 --> 00:20:07.539 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego 00:20:07.539 --> 00:20:11.319 are commanded to worship Nebuchadnezzar's golden image, 00:20:11.360 --> 00:20:14.440 or be thrown into a fire and burned alive. 00:20:14.660 --> 00:20:15.539 And they refuse, 00:20:15.740 --> 00:20:16.160 and they say, 00:20:16.319 --> 00:20:17.980 we will not worship your gods 00:20:17.980 --> 00:20:20.279 or the golden image that you have set up. 00:20:20.279 --> 00:20:22.839 And now here in Daniel 6, 00:20:22.920 --> 00:20:23.720 the decree goes out, 00:20:23.819 --> 00:20:25.559 no praying to God for 30 days, 00:20:25.619 --> 00:20:26.980 or you will be ripped open 00:20:26.980 --> 00:20:28.899 and eaten alive by lions. 00:20:29.019 --> 00:20:29.639 And Daniel says, 00:20:29.720 --> 00:20:30.279 what can I do? 00:20:31.639 --> 00:20:33.559 I will not compromise 00:20:33.559 --> 00:20:36.500 when it comes to my faith. 00:20:37.980 --> 00:20:40.200 So Daniel serves as a model for us 00:20:40.200 --> 00:20:42.420 because life in exile can be tricky. 00:20:43.920 --> 00:20:46.119 In some countries and in some times, 00:20:46.240 --> 00:20:48.480 we have more freedom than others. 00:20:48.480 --> 00:20:50.360 But when the conflict comes down 00:20:50.360 --> 00:20:52.920 to a matter of our ultimate loyalty, 00:20:53.380 --> 00:20:56.120 we choose our identity as the people of God. 00:20:56.960 --> 00:20:58.220 We draw a line, 00:20:58.380 --> 00:20:58.860 and we say, 00:20:59.039 --> 00:20:59.620 with God's help, 00:20:59.680 --> 00:21:00.980 I will not cross that line. 00:21:01.700 --> 00:21:03.539 I will not serve what is apostate. 00:21:04.319 --> 00:21:06.900 I will not cease to serve the living God, 00:21:06.940 --> 00:21:08.380 no matter the consequences. 00:21:09.660 --> 00:21:10.720 Someone might say to us, 00:21:10.799 --> 00:21:13.420 well, it's not a gospel issue. 00:21:13.539 --> 00:21:16.539 It's not really a key point of Christian doctrine. 00:21:16.539 --> 00:21:18.619 Well, maybe so, 00:21:18.720 --> 00:21:20.079 but I will not deny 00:21:20.079 --> 00:21:22.039 what God has revealed to me. 00:21:24.680 --> 00:21:25.680 Someone might say to me, 00:21:25.759 --> 00:21:27.720 well, but if you make this small compromise, 00:21:27.980 --> 00:21:30.039 it might open up other kinds of opportunities 00:21:30.039 --> 00:21:31.379 and influence for you. 00:21:32.319 --> 00:21:32.720 No. 00:21:34.480 --> 00:21:34.980 And they might say, 00:21:35.019 --> 00:21:37.099 well, this little issue isn't worth your job. 00:21:37.200 --> 00:21:37.980 I mean, this little issue, 00:21:38.039 --> 00:21:39.440 it's not worth fighting over this 00:21:39.440 --> 00:21:40.819 for your reputation. 00:21:40.980 --> 00:21:42.420 It certainly isn't worth your life. 00:21:43.379 --> 00:21:44.819 Yes, but this is not my home. 00:21:44.819 --> 00:21:49.339 When loyalty to the land of our exile 00:21:49.339 --> 00:21:51.500 is in conflict with loyalty to God, 00:21:51.539 --> 00:21:53.259 no matter how small that issue is, 00:21:53.480 --> 00:21:54.899 we choose God. 00:21:56.079 --> 00:21:58.599 Daniel would rather be eaten by lions 00:21:58.599 --> 00:22:02.259 than take a 30-day break from his prayer. 00:22:03.539 --> 00:22:04.839 Let's look at the next section 00:22:04.839 --> 00:22:06.319 in verses 14 through 22. 00:22:06.319 --> 00:22:09.019 It says, 00:22:09.019 --> 00:22:10.099 When the king heard this, 00:22:10.139 --> 00:22:11.420 he was greatly distressed. 00:22:13.639 --> 00:22:15.539 He was determined to rescue Daniel 00:22:15.539 --> 00:22:18.059 and made every effort until sundown to save him. 00:22:18.559 --> 00:22:20.420 Then the men went as a group to King Darius 00:22:20.420 --> 00:22:21.279 and said to him, 00:22:21.900 --> 00:22:22.980 Remember, your majesty, 00:22:23.139 --> 00:22:25.099 that according to the law of the Medes and the Persians, 00:22:25.200 --> 00:22:28.160 no decree or edict that the king issues can be changed. 00:22:28.960 --> 00:22:30.319 So the king gave the order, 00:22:30.420 --> 00:22:31.240 and they brought Daniel 00:22:31.240 --> 00:22:33.519 and threw him into the lion's den. 00:22:33.519 --> 00:22:35.720 The king said to Daniel, 00:22:35.720 --> 00:22:37.559 May your God, whom you serve, 00:22:37.680 --> 00:22:39.099 continually rescue you. 00:22:39.839 --> 00:22:42.400 A stone was brought and placed over the mouth of the den, 00:22:42.519 --> 00:22:44.559 and the king sealed it with his own signet ring 00:22:44.559 --> 00:22:46.099 and with the rings of his nobles 00:22:46.099 --> 00:22:49.299 so that Daniel's situation might not be changed. 00:22:50.480 --> 00:22:52.319 Then the king returned to his palace 00:22:52.319 --> 00:22:53.819 and spent the night without eating 00:22:53.819 --> 00:22:55.980 and without any entertainment being brought to him, 00:22:56.019 --> 00:22:57.259 and he could not sleep. 00:22:57.680 --> 00:22:58.859 At the first light of dawn, 00:22:58.940 --> 00:23:01.059 the king got up and hurried to the lion's den. 00:23:01.059 --> 00:23:02.419 When he came near the den, 00:23:02.480 --> 00:23:04.700 he called to Daniel in an anguished voice, 00:23:05.039 --> 00:23:07.079 Daniel, servant of the living God, 00:23:07.159 --> 00:23:09.079 has your God, whom you serve continually, 00:23:09.200 --> 00:23:11.000 been able to rescue you from the lions? 00:23:12.419 --> 00:23:13.319 Daniel answered, 00:23:13.440 --> 00:23:14.500 May the king live forever. 00:23:14.899 --> 00:23:16.440 My God sent his angel, 00:23:16.559 --> 00:23:18.019 and he shut the mouths of the lions. 00:23:18.119 --> 00:23:19.079 They have not hurt me 00:23:19.079 --> 00:23:21.399 because I was found innocent in his sight, 00:23:21.700 --> 00:23:24.000 nor have I done any wrong before you, 00:23:24.359 --> 00:23:25.000 your majesty. 00:23:27.159 --> 00:23:28.559 Now it says in verse 14, 00:23:28.559 --> 00:23:29.960 when the king heard this, 00:23:29.960 --> 00:23:31.600 he was greatly distressed. 00:23:31.680 --> 00:23:33.160 And right here at the front of this section 00:23:33.160 --> 00:23:34.840 is the first surprise, 00:23:35.840 --> 00:23:37.940 is the surprise in this section here. 00:23:38.779 --> 00:23:40.120 The surprise here is that 00:23:40.120 --> 00:23:42.160 we expect the king to be greatly distressed 00:23:42.160 --> 00:23:44.039 because one of his top administrators 00:23:44.039 --> 00:23:45.420 has been disloyal to him. 00:23:46.200 --> 00:23:47.799 But that's not why he's distressed. 00:23:48.160 --> 00:23:49.460 The reason he's distressed 00:23:49.460 --> 00:23:51.360 is because Daniel is in trouble. 00:23:53.140 --> 00:23:54.160 Look what it says. 00:23:54.220 --> 00:23:55.279 It says in verse 14, 00:23:55.279 --> 00:24:01.599 It's instructive for us 00:24:01.599 --> 00:24:03.259 to compare this reaction 00:24:03.259 --> 00:24:04.500 to King Nebuchadnezzar 00:24:04.500 --> 00:24:05.720 back in chapter 3 00:24:05.720 --> 00:24:07.220 with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. 00:24:07.519 --> 00:24:08.859 When King Nebuchadnezzar 00:24:08.859 --> 00:24:09.599 finds out 00:24:09.599 --> 00:24:11.119 that three Jews 00:24:11.119 --> 00:24:13.039 have refused to bow down 00:24:13.039 --> 00:24:13.899 to his image, 00:24:14.160 --> 00:24:15.160 listen to his reaction. 00:24:16.000 --> 00:24:17.079 He says in 3.13, 00:24:17.319 --> 00:24:17.639 it says, 00:24:17.640 --> 00:24:25.320 He taunts them in verse 15. 00:24:25.460 --> 00:24:26.960 What God will be able 00:24:26.960 --> 00:24:29.680 to rescue you out of my hand? 00:24:29.940 --> 00:24:30.960 He says in verse 19, 00:24:31.340 --> 00:24:32.720 It was furious with them 00:24:32.720 --> 00:24:34.259 with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego 00:24:34.259 --> 00:24:36.100 and his attitude toward them changed. 00:24:36.440 --> 00:24:37.100 And in verse 22, 00:24:37.240 --> 00:24:38.880 His command to throw them 00:24:38.880 --> 00:24:40.320 in the fire was urgent. 00:24:41.080 --> 00:24:42.620 This is a hostile king 00:24:42.620 --> 00:24:44.700 who was angry at these three guys 00:24:44.700 --> 00:24:45.420 and couldn't wait 00:24:45.420 --> 00:24:46.020 to chuck them 00:24:46.020 --> 00:24:47.020 into the fiery furnace. 00:24:47.640 --> 00:24:49.320 But here in chapter 6, 00:24:49.420 --> 00:24:51.620 Darius' reaction is the opposite. 00:24:53.000 --> 00:24:54.540 Look what it says in verse 13. 00:24:56.920 --> 00:24:57.360 Sorry. 00:24:58.580 --> 00:25:00.220 Look what it says in verse 16. 00:25:00.340 --> 00:25:00.620 It says, 00:25:01.020 --> 00:25:02.280 May your God whom you serve 00:25:02.280 --> 00:25:03.720 continually rescue you. 00:25:04.600 --> 00:25:05.300 Verse 18, 00:25:05.420 --> 00:25:06.740 He spent the night without eating 00:25:06.740 --> 00:25:07.740 and without entertainment. 00:25:07.920 --> 00:25:08.900 He could not sleep. 00:25:09.000 --> 00:25:10.340 At the first light of dawn, 00:25:10.420 --> 00:25:12.259 he hurried to the lion's den. 00:25:12.980 --> 00:25:14.900 He was speaking in an anguished voice 00:25:14.900 --> 00:25:15.400 when he said, 00:25:15.620 --> 00:25:17.220 Daniel, servant of the living God, 00:25:17.220 --> 00:25:18.339 have you been rescued? 00:25:20.640 --> 00:25:21.380 Here's the question. 00:25:21.539 --> 00:25:23.380 Why does the king 00:25:23.380 --> 00:25:25.720 care for Daniel like this? 00:25:26.799 --> 00:25:28.799 Why is he so concerned 00:25:28.799 --> 00:25:29.920 to rescue Daniel 00:25:29.920 --> 00:25:31.980 instead of hastening his death? 00:25:33.000 --> 00:25:34.259 We expect the king 00:25:34.259 --> 00:25:35.420 to be offended. 00:25:35.700 --> 00:25:36.839 This law was supposedly 00:25:36.839 --> 00:25:38.880 about loyalty to himself 00:25:38.880 --> 00:25:39.720 that no one could pray 00:25:39.720 --> 00:25:40.640 to anyone but him. 00:25:40.640 --> 00:25:41.360 And now Daniel, 00:25:41.460 --> 00:25:42.520 his trusted advisor, 00:25:43.259 --> 00:25:44.259 has broken it. 00:25:45.140 --> 00:25:45.740 And instead, 00:25:45.960 --> 00:25:47.020 he's up all night. 00:25:47.080 --> 00:25:47.960 He doesn't know what to do. 00:25:48.040 --> 00:25:49.100 How is he going to 00:25:49.100 --> 00:25:49.960 find a loophole 00:25:49.960 --> 00:25:50.880 in this Persian law 00:25:50.880 --> 00:25:51.600 and find a way 00:25:51.600 --> 00:25:52.600 of rescuing Daniel? 00:25:52.700 --> 00:25:53.400 He's trapped 00:25:53.400 --> 00:25:54.660 by his own law. 00:25:55.400 --> 00:25:56.220 He's frantic. 00:25:56.380 --> 00:25:57.420 What is he going to do here? 00:26:02.420 --> 00:26:03.360 When he goes down 00:26:03.360 --> 00:26:04.200 to the lion's den, 00:26:04.340 --> 00:26:05.680 Daniel calls out to him 00:26:05.680 --> 00:26:06.400 in verse 21, 00:26:06.400 --> 00:26:08.640 May the king live forever. 00:26:11.320 --> 00:26:12.460 That's Daniel's answer 00:26:12.460 --> 00:26:13.019 to say, 00:26:13.160 --> 00:26:13.940 I am alive. 00:26:15.100 --> 00:26:16.640 May the king live forever. 00:26:18.340 --> 00:26:19.840 Now, Daniel's response 00:26:19.840 --> 00:26:21.220 in verses 21 and 22 00:26:21.220 --> 00:26:22.019 is important 00:26:22.019 --> 00:26:22.740 because these are 00:26:22.740 --> 00:26:23.900 the only two verses 00:26:23.900 --> 00:26:25.220 in the entire story 00:26:25.220 --> 00:26:26.160 where Daniel speaks. 00:26:26.500 --> 00:26:27.400 So if we want to know 00:26:27.400 --> 00:26:28.280 what Daniel thinks 00:26:28.280 --> 00:26:29.140 about all of this, 00:26:29.640 --> 00:26:30.220 here it is. 00:26:30.240 --> 00:26:30.920 Here's our chance 00:26:30.920 --> 00:26:32.240 in verses 21 and 22. 00:26:33.100 --> 00:26:33.740 First of all, 00:26:33.800 --> 00:26:34.360 in verse 21, 00:26:34.480 --> 00:26:34.900 when he says, 00:26:34.900 --> 00:26:36.720 May the king live forever. 00:26:36.860 --> 00:26:37.720 This is exactly 00:26:37.720 --> 00:26:38.980 the same way 00:26:38.980 --> 00:26:40.240 that the other administrators 00:26:40.240 --> 00:26:41.000 in satraps 00:26:41.000 --> 00:26:41.740 addressed the king 00:26:41.740 --> 00:26:42.840 back in verse 6. 00:26:44.300 --> 00:26:45.040 It's subtle, 00:26:46.060 --> 00:26:47.600 but it suggests 00:26:47.600 --> 00:26:49.380 that he is just as loyal 00:26:49.380 --> 00:26:50.120 to the king 00:26:50.120 --> 00:26:50.900 as they are. 00:26:52.400 --> 00:26:52.960 In fact, 00:26:53.080 --> 00:26:53.840 based on the fact 00:26:53.840 --> 00:26:55.200 that they're conspiring 00:26:55.200 --> 00:26:56.340 and trying to trick the king, 00:26:56.440 --> 00:26:57.280 I think Daniel's actually 00:26:57.280 --> 00:26:58.519 more loyal to the king 00:26:58.519 --> 00:26:59.660 than they are. 00:27:01.880 --> 00:27:03.080 Then he says in verse 22, 00:27:03.420 --> 00:27:04.519 My God sent his angel 00:27:04.519 --> 00:27:05.339 and he shut the mouths 00:27:05.339 --> 00:27:05.859 of the lions 00:27:05.859 --> 00:27:06.680 and they haven't heard me 00:27:06.680 --> 00:27:07.700 because I was innocent 00:27:07.700 --> 00:27:08.240 in his sight. 00:27:08.319 --> 00:27:09.440 I have not been unfaithful 00:27:09.440 --> 00:27:09.879 to God. 00:27:10.079 --> 00:27:10.779 But then he says, 00:27:11.079 --> 00:27:12.319 Nor have I done any wrong 00:27:12.319 --> 00:27:12.900 before you, 00:27:13.000 --> 00:27:13.480 your majesty. 00:27:13.599 --> 00:27:14.859 I am faithful to you, 00:27:14.900 --> 00:27:15.259 O king. 00:27:15.339 --> 00:27:16.539 I am faithful to you. 00:27:19.180 --> 00:27:20.019 In other words, 00:27:20.160 --> 00:27:21.639 he was loyal both to God 00:27:21.639 --> 00:27:22.740 and to King Darius 00:27:22.740 --> 00:27:23.779 and it's like he's saying, 00:27:24.200 --> 00:27:24.960 Just because I pray 00:27:24.960 --> 00:27:25.519 to my God 00:27:25.519 --> 00:27:26.500 and my priority 00:27:26.500 --> 00:27:27.639 is to my God, 00:27:27.740 --> 00:27:28.440 that does not mean 00:27:28.440 --> 00:27:29.480 that I am not also 00:27:29.480 --> 00:27:30.299 loyal to you. 00:27:30.299 --> 00:27:33.980 So this tension, 00:27:34.299 --> 00:27:35.279 the king's concern 00:27:35.279 --> 00:27:35.960 for Daniel 00:27:35.960 --> 00:27:37.299 and Daniel's loyalty 00:27:37.299 --> 00:27:38.180 to the king 00:27:38.180 --> 00:27:39.339 suggests something 00:27:39.339 --> 00:27:40.059 very important 00:27:40.059 --> 00:27:41.319 about Daniel's approach 00:27:41.319 --> 00:27:42.519 to living in exile. 00:27:43.359 --> 00:27:44.019 Even though 00:27:44.019 --> 00:27:45.399 he is absolutely 00:27:45.399 --> 00:27:46.339 unbending 00:27:46.339 --> 00:27:47.579 and uncompromising 00:27:47.579 --> 00:27:48.819 about his true home 00:27:48.819 --> 00:27:49.919 back in Jerusalem, 00:27:50.259 --> 00:27:51.639 he is equally invested 00:27:51.639 --> 00:27:52.740 in working 00:27:52.740 --> 00:27:53.619 for the good 00:27:53.619 --> 00:27:54.919 of his present home, 00:27:55.379 --> 00:27:55.720 the king. 00:27:55.720 --> 00:27:58.779 We've already seen this 00:27:58.779 --> 00:27:59.180 at the beginning 00:27:59.180 --> 00:27:59.740 of the story 00:27:59.740 --> 00:28:00.299 that Daniel 00:28:00.299 --> 00:28:01.480 distinguished himself 00:28:01.480 --> 00:28:02.539 in his government service, 00:28:02.720 --> 00:28:03.579 that he was trustworthy, 00:28:04.200 --> 00:28:05.079 that he had integrity 00:28:05.079 --> 00:28:05.700 and fulfilled 00:28:05.700 --> 00:28:06.519 all his duties. 00:28:06.940 --> 00:28:07.360 And now, 00:28:07.559 --> 00:28:08.519 when he comes out 00:28:08.519 --> 00:28:09.339 of the den of lions, 00:28:09.440 --> 00:28:10.240 he says to the king, 00:28:10.420 --> 00:28:12.059 I am faithful to you. 00:28:14.220 --> 00:28:14.660 Daniel, 00:28:14.819 --> 00:28:15.839 at this point in the book, 00:28:15.880 --> 00:28:17.220 is about 70 years old 00:28:17.220 --> 00:28:19.100 and he has proven 00:28:19.100 --> 00:28:20.039 over a lifetime 00:28:20.039 --> 00:28:21.000 of service 00:28:21.000 --> 00:28:22.440 that he is committed 00:28:22.440 --> 00:28:22.960 to the good 00:28:22.960 --> 00:28:23.880 of the Persian empire. 00:28:23.880 --> 00:28:26.340 It's not his ultimate home, 00:28:26.460 --> 00:28:27.780 but it's his home for now. 00:28:29.580 --> 00:28:30.640 And so his character, 00:28:31.520 --> 00:28:32.960 compelled by his faith 00:28:32.960 --> 00:28:33.520 in God, 00:28:34.240 --> 00:28:35.600 causes him to work 00:28:35.600 --> 00:28:36.240 for the good 00:28:36.240 --> 00:28:36.740 of the king 00:28:36.740 --> 00:28:37.260 and the nation 00:28:37.260 --> 00:28:38.120 and that has earned 00:28:38.120 --> 00:28:39.100 the king's respect. 00:28:41.160 --> 00:28:43.060 Daniel has dual citizenship. 00:28:43.380 --> 00:28:44.260 It has a hierarchy. 00:28:46.080 --> 00:28:47.020 He knows 00:28:47.020 --> 00:28:48.920 to whom he really belongs, 00:28:49.080 --> 00:28:49.760 but at the end of the day, 00:28:49.840 --> 00:28:50.520 that is not a threat 00:28:50.520 --> 00:28:51.020 to the king 00:28:51.020 --> 00:28:52.520 because he has proven himself 00:28:52.519 --> 00:28:53.920 day after day 00:28:53.920 --> 00:28:54.579 after day. 00:28:56.639 --> 00:28:57.680 If the government 00:28:57.680 --> 00:28:58.819 makes his faith 00:28:58.819 --> 00:29:00.700 incompatible with Persia, 00:29:00.920 --> 00:29:01.799 he will choose 00:29:01.799 --> 00:29:02.680 his faith. 00:29:03.119 --> 00:29:03.799 But otherwise, 00:29:04.339 --> 00:29:05.099 Daniel will be 00:29:05.099 --> 00:29:06.400 a loyal Persian citizen. 00:29:07.539 --> 00:29:08.559 As Paul says 00:29:08.559 --> 00:29:09.319 in 1 Timothy, 00:29:09.519 --> 00:29:10.279 he will live 00:29:10.279 --> 00:29:10.920 a peaceful 00:29:10.920 --> 00:29:12.019 and quiet life, 00:29:12.559 --> 00:29:13.680 godly and dignified 00:29:13.680 --> 00:29:14.379 in every way. 00:29:16.379 --> 00:29:17.519 Daniel is a model 00:29:17.519 --> 00:29:18.059 for us 00:29:18.059 --> 00:29:19.559 to live joyfully 00:29:19.559 --> 00:29:20.759 and responsibly 00:29:20.759 --> 00:29:21.640 and engaged 00:29:21.640 --> 00:29:22.660 in our land 00:29:22.660 --> 00:29:23.759 of exile as well. 00:29:24.720 --> 00:29:25.500 This is a little bit 00:29:25.500 --> 00:29:26.400 of a difficult balance 00:29:26.400 --> 00:29:27.119 for us sometimes 00:29:27.119 --> 00:29:27.980 because it's easy 00:29:27.980 --> 00:29:28.460 when we're trying 00:29:28.460 --> 00:29:30.079 to walk this narrow road 00:29:30.079 --> 00:29:32.119 to fall into the ditch 00:29:32.119 --> 00:29:32.859 on either side. 00:29:32.980 --> 00:29:33.539 On the one hand, 00:29:33.579 --> 00:29:34.240 we can sort of fall 00:29:34.240 --> 00:29:35.019 into the ditch 00:29:35.019 --> 00:29:36.180 of compromise, 00:29:37.220 --> 00:29:38.180 to become like 00:29:38.180 --> 00:29:38.960 everybody else, 00:29:39.039 --> 00:29:40.259 to betray our faith, 00:29:40.799 --> 00:29:41.579 maybe not even 00:29:41.579 --> 00:29:42.920 without thinking about it, 00:29:43.759 --> 00:29:45.279 to accept the values 00:29:45.279 --> 00:29:45.960 of our culture 00:29:45.960 --> 00:29:46.640 and just sort of 00:29:46.640 --> 00:29:47.680 think like everyone else 00:29:47.680 --> 00:29:48.400 and to neglect 00:29:48.400 --> 00:29:49.819 our heavenly citizenship. 00:29:49.819 --> 00:29:51.259 That's one ditch 00:29:51.259 --> 00:29:52.159 that we can fall into. 00:29:52.339 --> 00:29:52.939 But then on the other 00:29:52.939 --> 00:29:53.500 side of the road, 00:29:53.579 --> 00:29:54.720 we can overcorrect 00:29:54.720 --> 00:29:56.200 and we can fall 00:29:56.200 --> 00:29:57.039 in that other ditch 00:29:57.039 --> 00:29:57.599 and that is 00:29:57.599 --> 00:29:58.639 that we get rigid 00:29:58.639 --> 00:30:00.039 and bitter 00:30:00.039 --> 00:30:01.259 and angry 00:30:01.259 --> 00:30:03.639 and we just, 00:30:03.759 --> 00:30:05.179 we just can't wait 00:30:05.179 --> 00:30:06.279 for the world to burn. 00:30:07.039 --> 00:30:08.119 We look at everything 00:30:08.119 --> 00:30:08.720 around us, 00:30:08.779 --> 00:30:09.240 our culture, 00:30:09.359 --> 00:30:09.819 and we just say, 00:30:09.899 --> 00:30:10.519 I just can't wait 00:30:10.519 --> 00:30:11.679 until this place burns 00:30:11.679 --> 00:30:12.399 and I go to heaven. 00:30:13.019 --> 00:30:14.220 That's the other ditch, 00:30:14.359 --> 00:30:14.579 right? 00:30:14.659 --> 00:30:15.759 And Daniel is a model 00:30:15.759 --> 00:30:17.220 of walking that thin line. 00:30:17.619 --> 00:30:19.519 He is both uncompromising, 00:30:19.819 --> 00:30:20.960 in his faith, 00:30:21.079 --> 00:30:22.779 but also fully engaged 00:30:22.779 --> 00:30:24.379 in his present land 00:30:24.379 --> 00:30:25.039 for its good. 00:30:26.879 --> 00:30:29.000 When loyalty to the nation, 00:30:30.480 --> 00:30:31.720 whichever nation that is, 00:30:31.939 --> 00:30:33.419 is not in conflict 00:30:33.419 --> 00:30:34.639 with loyalty to God, 00:30:34.700 --> 00:30:35.720 we should be the best 00:30:35.720 --> 00:30:36.519 of citizens. 00:30:38.759 --> 00:30:39.319 Loyal, 00:30:39.879 --> 00:30:40.259 serving, 00:30:41.039 --> 00:30:42.039 doing what is right, 00:30:42.259 --> 00:30:43.019 working hard, 00:30:43.259 --> 00:30:44.439 innocent before God, 00:30:44.440 --> 00:30:46.500 and faithful to the king. 00:30:48.980 --> 00:30:49.380 Finally, 00:30:49.480 --> 00:30:50.460 let's look at the last section 00:30:50.460 --> 00:30:52.200 in verses 23 to 28. 00:30:53.700 --> 00:30:55.600 The king was overjoyed, 00:30:55.759 --> 00:30:55.940 right? 00:30:56.000 --> 00:30:56.680 There was this moment 00:30:56.680 --> 00:30:57.460 of suspense. 00:30:57.620 --> 00:30:57.940 Daniel, 00:30:58.080 --> 00:30:58.779 are you in there? 00:30:58.820 --> 00:30:59.640 Are you alive? 00:31:00.640 --> 00:31:01.539 Long pause. 00:31:02.620 --> 00:31:03.920 May the king live forever. 00:31:04.380 --> 00:31:04.620 Oh, 00:31:04.720 --> 00:31:05.340 he's alive. 00:31:05.339 --> 00:31:07.139 The king was overjoyed 00:31:07.139 --> 00:31:07.939 and gave orders 00:31:07.939 --> 00:31:09.099 to lift Daniel 00:31:09.099 --> 00:31:09.779 out of the den, 00:31:09.859 --> 00:31:10.379 and when Daniel 00:31:10.379 --> 00:31:11.539 was lifted from the den, 00:31:11.659 --> 00:31:13.119 no wound was found on him 00:31:13.119 --> 00:31:14.240 because he had trusted 00:31:14.240 --> 00:31:15.319 in his God. 00:31:16.399 --> 00:31:17.419 At the king's command, 00:31:17.559 --> 00:31:18.659 the men who had falsely 00:31:18.659 --> 00:31:19.399 accused Daniel 00:31:19.399 --> 00:31:20.159 were brought in 00:31:20.159 --> 00:31:21.159 and thrown into 00:31:21.159 --> 00:31:21.939 the lion's den, 00:31:22.019 --> 00:31:23.019 along with their wives 00:31:23.019 --> 00:31:23.539 and children, 00:31:23.699 --> 00:31:24.819 and before they reached 00:31:24.819 --> 00:31:25.939 the floor of the den, 00:31:26.500 --> 00:31:28.059 the lions overpowered them 00:31:28.059 --> 00:31:29.419 and crushed all their bones. 00:31:30.619 --> 00:31:31.980 Then King Darius wrote 00:31:31.980 --> 00:31:32.879 to all the nations 00:31:32.880 --> 00:31:33.540 and the peoples 00:31:33.540 --> 00:31:34.380 of every language 00:31:34.380 --> 00:31:35.060 in all the earth, 00:31:35.160 --> 00:31:36.500 may you prosper greatly. 00:31:36.920 --> 00:31:37.820 I issue a decree 00:31:37.820 --> 00:31:38.760 that in every part 00:31:38.760 --> 00:31:39.380 of my kingdom, 00:31:39.560 --> 00:31:40.640 people must fear 00:31:40.640 --> 00:31:41.840 and reverence 00:31:41.840 --> 00:31:42.960 the God of Daniel, 00:31:43.520 --> 00:31:45.080 for he is the living God 00:31:45.080 --> 00:31:46.460 and he endures forever. 00:31:46.880 --> 00:31:47.400 His kingdom 00:31:47.400 --> 00:31:48.360 will not be destroyed. 00:31:48.480 --> 00:31:49.140 His dominion 00:31:49.140 --> 00:31:49.900 will never end. 00:31:50.200 --> 00:31:51.100 He rescues 00:31:51.100 --> 00:31:52.060 and he saves. 00:31:52.360 --> 00:31:53.480 He performs signs 00:31:53.480 --> 00:31:53.960 and wonders 00:31:53.960 --> 00:31:54.500 in the heavens 00:31:54.500 --> 00:31:55.180 and on the earth. 00:31:55.500 --> 00:31:56.800 He has rescued Daniel 00:31:56.800 --> 00:31:57.540 from the power 00:31:57.540 --> 00:31:58.300 of the lions. 00:31:58.720 --> 00:31:59.900 So Daniel prospered 00:31:59.900 --> 00:32:00.800 during the reign of Darius 00:32:00.800 --> 00:32:02.340 and the reign of Cyrus 00:32:02.339 --> 00:32:02.919 the Persian. 00:32:05.939 --> 00:32:07.279 The surprise here 00:32:07.279 --> 00:32:09.139 is that while Daniel 00:32:09.139 --> 00:32:10.339 has been saved, 00:32:10.419 --> 00:32:11.500 which is a shock, 00:32:12.319 --> 00:32:13.019 his enemies 00:32:13.019 --> 00:32:14.659 have been destroyed. 00:32:16.000 --> 00:32:17.679 The king has lifted Daniel 00:32:17.679 --> 00:32:18.839 out of the den of lions 00:32:18.839 --> 00:32:19.839 and no wound 00:32:19.839 --> 00:32:20.579 is found on him. 00:32:20.619 --> 00:32:21.339 It's not like he was 00:32:21.339 --> 00:32:22.259 down there all night long 00:32:22.259 --> 00:32:22.879 with a stick, 00:32:22.980 --> 00:32:23.139 you know, 00:32:23.220 --> 00:32:23.980 fending them off 00:32:23.980 --> 00:32:25.000 and when they pull him 00:32:25.000 --> 00:32:26.119 out of the lion's den, 00:32:26.199 --> 00:32:27.179 he's just a wreck, right? 00:32:27.240 --> 00:32:29.179 He's just a mess 00:32:29.179 --> 00:32:29.839 and he's got to go 00:32:29.839 --> 00:32:30.659 straight to the ER 00:32:30.659 --> 00:32:31.879 because he's barely alive. 00:32:31.880 --> 00:32:33.000 No, there's no wound 00:32:33.000 --> 00:32:33.740 on him at all. 00:32:35.540 --> 00:32:36.580 It was a miracle. 00:32:37.360 --> 00:32:38.740 God shut the mouths 00:32:38.740 --> 00:32:39.480 of those lions 00:32:39.480 --> 00:32:40.380 and saved him. 00:32:41.340 --> 00:32:41.720 Why? 00:32:42.880 --> 00:32:43.780 Because of what it says 00:32:43.780 --> 00:32:44.580 in verse 23, 00:32:44.720 --> 00:32:45.900 because he had trusted 00:32:45.900 --> 00:32:46.900 in his God. 00:32:47.140 --> 00:32:47.960 The narrator does not 00:32:47.960 --> 00:32:48.800 want you to miss that. 00:32:48.880 --> 00:32:49.320 You might be able 00:32:49.320 --> 00:32:49.800 to pick it up 00:32:49.800 --> 00:32:50.360 on your own, 00:32:50.600 --> 00:32:51.220 but the narrator 00:32:51.220 --> 00:32:51.880 doesn't want you 00:32:51.880 --> 00:32:52.880 to have to figure that out. 00:32:53.280 --> 00:32:54.860 God protected Daniel 00:32:54.860 --> 00:32:56.080 because Daniel 00:32:56.080 --> 00:32:57.700 put his trust in God. 00:32:57.700 --> 00:33:00.880 And in verse 24, 00:33:01.039 --> 00:33:01.960 Daniel's accusers 00:33:01.960 --> 00:33:03.000 are thrown to the lions 00:33:03.000 --> 00:33:04.039 along with their wives 00:33:04.039 --> 00:33:05.299 and children. 00:33:05.559 --> 00:33:07.240 And this verse tells us 00:33:07.240 --> 00:33:09.180 two pretty important things. 00:33:09.279 --> 00:33:09.960 First of all, 00:33:11.000 --> 00:33:12.120 it tells us that Daniel 00:33:12.120 --> 00:33:13.160 was saved only 00:33:13.160 --> 00:33:14.400 by the power of God. 00:33:15.299 --> 00:33:16.620 I've read some scholars 00:33:16.620 --> 00:33:17.600 on the book of Daniel 00:33:17.600 --> 00:33:18.480 who have said, 00:33:18.600 --> 00:33:19.580 well, maybe the lions 00:33:19.580 --> 00:33:20.779 were ill that night. 00:33:21.559 --> 00:33:22.100 Maybe they just 00:33:22.100 --> 00:33:22.940 weren't really up to it. 00:33:22.980 --> 00:33:23.980 They weren't feeling well. 00:33:23.980 --> 00:33:26.400 Or maybe they had been drugged 00:33:26.400 --> 00:33:28.220 by some ancient drug. 00:33:28.360 --> 00:33:29.480 Or maybe they had been 00:33:29.480 --> 00:33:30.720 fed previously that day 00:33:30.720 --> 00:33:31.779 and they just weren't hungry. 00:33:33.420 --> 00:33:33.860 But here, 00:33:34.299 --> 00:33:35.120 when the men 00:33:35.120 --> 00:33:36.200 and their wives 00:33:36.200 --> 00:33:36.660 and children 00:33:36.660 --> 00:33:37.980 are thrown into the lion's den, 00:33:38.039 --> 00:33:38.839 before they even 00:33:38.839 --> 00:33:39.599 touch the ground, 00:33:39.720 --> 00:33:40.559 the lions crush 00:33:40.559 --> 00:33:41.220 and kill them. 00:33:42.680 --> 00:33:43.680 Did Daniel fight 00:33:43.680 --> 00:33:44.339 off the lions? 00:33:45.099 --> 00:33:45.539 No. 00:33:47.220 --> 00:33:48.120 God's angel 00:33:48.120 --> 00:33:49.079 had shut their mouths 00:33:49.079 --> 00:33:49.500 and no matter 00:33:49.500 --> 00:33:50.720 how hungry they were 00:33:50.720 --> 00:33:51.400 as they prowled 00:33:51.400 --> 00:33:51.860 and looked at him, 00:33:51.920 --> 00:33:53.500 they could just drool. 00:33:53.500 --> 00:33:54.000 There's nothing 00:33:54.000 --> 00:33:54.559 they could do. 00:33:54.660 --> 00:33:55.220 There's no way 00:33:55.220 --> 00:33:56.039 that they could touch him. 00:33:57.819 --> 00:33:58.740 But not only was it 00:33:58.740 --> 00:33:59.180 a miracle, 00:33:59.339 --> 00:34:00.000 but verse 24 00:34:00.000 --> 00:34:00.960 also tells us 00:34:00.960 --> 00:34:01.759 that not only 00:34:01.759 --> 00:34:02.720 is God's servant 00:34:02.720 --> 00:34:03.819 Daniel saved, 00:34:03.920 --> 00:34:04.819 but God's enemies 00:34:04.819 --> 00:34:05.619 are destroyed. 00:34:06.960 --> 00:34:08.019 That is good news. 00:34:08.280 --> 00:34:08.880 Maybe it feels 00:34:08.880 --> 00:34:09.880 a little bit 00:34:09.880 --> 00:34:10.880 uncomfortable to us 00:34:10.880 --> 00:34:12.340 to be cheering 00:34:12.340 --> 00:34:14.039 over the hideous death 00:34:14.039 --> 00:34:14.960 of Daniel's enemies, 00:34:15.199 --> 00:34:16.280 but for God's 00:34:16.280 --> 00:34:17.159 oppressed people, 00:34:17.460 --> 00:34:17.980 oppressed and 00:34:17.980 --> 00:34:19.420 persecuted people 00:34:19.420 --> 00:34:21.440 who are suffering 00:34:21.440 --> 00:34:21.980 terribly, 00:34:22.199 --> 00:34:23.179 who are tormented 00:34:23.179 --> 00:34:23.940 and abused 00:34:23.940 --> 00:34:25.000 by evildoers, 00:34:25.139 --> 00:34:26.940 this is great comfort 00:34:26.940 --> 00:34:29.279 to know that God 00:34:29.279 --> 00:34:31.059 will fight for his people 00:34:31.059 --> 00:34:31.960 and that his justice 00:34:31.960 --> 00:34:33.079 will prevail in the end. 00:34:35.299 --> 00:34:37.599 This is an incredible miracle 00:34:37.599 --> 00:34:38.759 and look how it affects 00:34:38.759 --> 00:34:39.559 King Darius 00:34:39.559 --> 00:34:41.419 in verses 26 and 27. 00:34:42.379 --> 00:34:43.319 Let me read this again. 00:34:43.460 --> 00:34:45.000 He is the living God, 00:34:45.339 --> 00:34:46.019 Darius says, 00:34:46.019 --> 00:34:47.759 and God endures forever. 00:34:47.920 --> 00:34:48.400 His kingdom 00:34:48.400 --> 00:34:49.440 will not be destroyed. 00:34:49.940 --> 00:34:50.820 His dominion, 00:34:50.940 --> 00:34:51.800 that other home, 00:34:52.059 --> 00:34:53.059 the home of Daniel, 00:34:54.059 --> 00:34:55.079 will never end. 00:34:55.800 --> 00:34:57.159 He rescues and saves. 00:34:57.340 --> 00:34:58.280 He performs signs 00:34:58.280 --> 00:34:58.739 and wonders 00:34:58.739 --> 00:34:59.259 in the heavens 00:34:59.259 --> 00:34:59.920 and on the earth. 00:35:00.000 --> 00:35:01.259 He has rescued Daniel 00:35:01.259 --> 00:35:02.519 from the power 00:35:02.519 --> 00:35:03.219 of the lions. 00:35:03.280 --> 00:35:04.340 And in a great irony, 00:35:04.920 --> 00:35:05.579 here at the end 00:35:05.579 --> 00:35:06.119 of the story, 00:35:06.119 --> 00:35:07.059 we learn about 00:35:07.059 --> 00:35:07.619 the nature 00:35:07.619 --> 00:35:08.440 and the power 00:35:08.440 --> 00:35:09.099 of God 00:35:09.099 --> 00:35:10.099 from the mouth 00:35:10.099 --> 00:35:11.319 of a pagan king. 00:35:13.579 --> 00:35:14.960 The story concludes 00:35:14.960 --> 00:35:15.719 in verse 28 00:35:15.719 --> 00:35:17.159 that Daniel is prospering 00:35:17.159 --> 00:35:18.920 in his land of exile. 00:35:20.400 --> 00:35:21.799 Daniel was miraculously saved 00:35:21.799 --> 00:35:23.059 because he had trusted in God. 00:35:23.139 --> 00:35:24.659 If he had primarily been 00:35:24.659 --> 00:35:26.039 a citizen of Persia, 00:35:26.759 --> 00:35:27.980 then he would have attempted 00:35:27.980 --> 00:35:29.199 to solve his problem 00:35:29.199 --> 00:35:31.199 through Persian means. 00:35:31.980 --> 00:35:32.199 Right? 00:35:32.239 --> 00:35:33.279 He would have tried 00:35:33.279 --> 00:35:33.880 to exploit 00:35:33.880 --> 00:35:35.460 some kind of legal loophole 00:35:35.460 --> 00:35:36.940 or political maneuver. 00:35:37.119 --> 00:35:37.719 Maybe he would have 00:35:37.719 --> 00:35:39.159 called in some favors 00:35:39.159 --> 00:35:39.960 from some other 00:35:39.960 --> 00:35:41.039 politicians 00:35:41.039 --> 00:35:42.539 or bribed some officials. 00:35:42.800 --> 00:35:43.480 He would have used 00:35:43.480 --> 00:35:44.980 some kind of Persian tactics. 00:35:45.559 --> 00:35:46.559 But Daniel is not 00:35:46.559 --> 00:35:47.659 ultimately a citizen 00:35:47.659 --> 00:35:48.460 of Persia. 00:35:48.579 --> 00:35:49.400 He is a citizen 00:35:49.400 --> 00:35:50.179 of heaven. 00:35:50.500 --> 00:35:51.880 And that is to whom 00:35:51.880 --> 00:35:52.740 he belongs. 00:35:52.880 --> 00:35:53.460 That's why 00:35:53.460 --> 00:35:54.480 when he hears 00:35:54.480 --> 00:35:55.099 the decree 00:35:55.099 --> 00:35:56.380 about being chucked 00:35:56.380 --> 00:35:57.159 in the lion's den, 00:35:57.240 --> 00:35:57.980 he doesn't call up 00:35:57.980 --> 00:35:59.099 his social network. 00:36:00.300 --> 00:36:01.240 He doesn't get a lawyer. 00:36:01.480 --> 00:36:02.679 He doesn't huddle 00:36:02.679 --> 00:36:03.699 in some dark room 00:36:03.699 --> 00:36:04.500 with some advisors 00:36:04.500 --> 00:36:05.079 to figure out 00:36:05.079 --> 00:36:05.720 what they're going to do. 00:36:05.820 --> 00:36:06.500 He gets home 00:36:06.500 --> 00:36:07.340 and he gets down 00:36:07.340 --> 00:36:08.039 on his knees 00:36:08.039 --> 00:36:09.599 and he prays to God 00:36:09.599 --> 00:36:10.659 and asks him for help. 00:36:10.920 --> 00:36:12.119 And that is why 00:36:12.119 --> 00:36:13.420 he will not compromise 00:36:13.420 --> 00:36:14.199 his faith 00:36:14.199 --> 00:36:15.420 because he knows 00:36:15.420 --> 00:36:16.539 that God is the ultimate 00:36:16.539 --> 00:36:17.719 answer for what he needs. 00:36:18.880 --> 00:36:20.000 And his faithfulness 00:36:20.000 --> 00:36:20.519 is rewarded. 00:36:21.900 --> 00:36:23.500 God is the living God. 00:36:24.019 --> 00:36:24.980 His dominion, 00:36:25.139 --> 00:36:26.679 Daniel's true home country, 00:36:26.679 --> 00:36:27.920 will never end 00:36:27.920 --> 00:36:29.480 and God will be victorious. 00:36:29.480 --> 00:36:32.519 God has saved 00:36:32.519 --> 00:36:33.460 his servant Daniel 00:36:33.460 --> 00:36:34.699 and he has destroyed 00:36:34.699 --> 00:36:35.880 his enemies 00:36:35.880 --> 00:36:37.840 and he has brought 00:36:37.840 --> 00:36:39.079 glory to himself. 00:36:39.260 --> 00:36:40.619 God's miracle proves 00:36:40.619 --> 00:36:41.699 that he is the one 00:36:41.699 --> 00:36:42.440 who is worthy 00:36:42.440 --> 00:36:43.139 of respect 00:36:43.139 --> 00:36:44.139 and honor 00:36:44.139 --> 00:36:45.500 and ultimate loyalty. 00:36:47.079 --> 00:36:48.639 This story is a paradigm. 00:36:49.000 --> 00:36:49.940 It's not a rule. 00:36:50.159 --> 00:36:51.079 It's a paradigm. 00:36:51.300 --> 00:36:52.539 It's a model for us. 00:36:53.440 --> 00:36:54.460 It's a pattern. 00:36:55.800 --> 00:36:56.559 And patterns 00:36:56.559 --> 00:36:57.880 sometimes have exceptions. 00:36:57.880 --> 00:37:00.700 So it's true 00:37:00.700 --> 00:37:01.440 that God does not 00:37:01.440 --> 00:37:02.640 always deliver 00:37:02.640 --> 00:37:03.619 his people 00:37:03.619 --> 00:37:04.440 from martyrdom 00:37:04.440 --> 00:37:05.599 in their land of exile. 00:37:06.579 --> 00:37:07.220 Sometimes 00:37:07.220 --> 00:37:08.539 God's people 00:37:08.539 --> 00:37:09.820 suffer terribly. 00:37:10.860 --> 00:37:11.940 Terrible persecution. 00:37:13.260 --> 00:37:14.900 Terrible marginalization 00:37:14.900 --> 00:37:15.700 and death. 00:37:16.680 --> 00:37:17.400 They suffer 00:37:17.400 --> 00:37:18.960 and they're 00:37:18.960 --> 00:37:19.880 exploited 00:37:19.880 --> 00:37:20.840 and imprisoned 00:37:20.840 --> 00:37:22.860 and poor 00:37:22.860 --> 00:37:23.680 and chased 00:37:23.680 --> 00:37:24.480 from one region 00:37:24.480 --> 00:37:25.140 to the next. 00:37:25.139 --> 00:37:27.639 Even in Daniel chapter 3 00:37:27.639 --> 00:37:28.519 Shadrach, Meshach 00:37:28.519 --> 00:37:28.940 and Abednego 00:37:28.940 --> 00:37:29.859 tell the king 00:37:29.859 --> 00:37:31.859 our God can save us. 00:37:31.960 --> 00:37:32.319 We don't know 00:37:32.319 --> 00:37:33.539 if he will save us 00:37:33.539 --> 00:37:34.839 but even if he does not 00:37:34.839 --> 00:37:35.519 we're still not going 00:37:35.519 --> 00:37:36.159 to do what you say. 00:37:37.059 --> 00:37:37.920 So there's a recognition 00:37:37.920 --> 00:37:38.839 there that sometimes 00:37:38.839 --> 00:37:39.819 God does not save 00:37:39.819 --> 00:37:40.279 his people 00:37:40.279 --> 00:37:41.920 and he lets them 00:37:41.920 --> 00:37:42.699 suffer terribly. 00:37:43.779 --> 00:37:44.699 But ultimately 00:37:44.699 --> 00:37:45.480 God wins 00:37:45.480 --> 00:37:46.259 and that's the point 00:37:46.259 --> 00:37:46.839 of the story. 00:37:46.960 --> 00:37:48.339 His people always 00:37:48.339 --> 00:37:49.519 end up victorious 00:37:49.519 --> 00:37:50.619 if they trust in him. 00:37:51.619 --> 00:37:52.739 When we experience 00:37:52.739 --> 00:37:53.799 pressure to conform 00:37:53.800 --> 00:37:55.000 when we're persecuted 00:37:55.000 --> 00:37:56.560 for our faith 00:37:56.560 --> 00:37:57.539 when we are rejected 00:37:57.539 --> 00:37:58.740 because of our values 00:37:58.740 --> 00:38:00.080 we can have confidence 00:38:00.080 --> 00:38:01.160 in the final victory 00:38:01.160 --> 00:38:01.740 of God. 00:38:02.620 --> 00:38:03.500 We will go 00:38:03.500 --> 00:38:04.880 to our own country 00:38:04.880 --> 00:38:06.820 and we will finally 00:38:06.820 --> 00:38:07.340 be home. 00:38:08.340 --> 00:38:09.180 It says in Hebrews 00:38:09.180 --> 00:38:09.960 chapter 11 00:38:09.960 --> 00:38:11.019 13 through 16 00:38:11.019 --> 00:38:12.460 that the people 00:38:12.460 --> 00:38:12.900 of God 00:38:12.900 --> 00:38:13.800 have acknowledged 00:38:13.800 --> 00:38:14.960 that they were 00:38:14.960 --> 00:38:15.539 strangers 00:38:15.539 --> 00:38:16.560 and exiles 00:38:16.560 --> 00:38:17.420 on the earth 00:38:17.420 --> 00:38:18.940 but they desire 00:38:18.940 --> 00:38:19.860 a better country 00:38:19.860 --> 00:38:21.600 that is a heavenly one 00:38:21.599 --> 00:38:23.159 for God has prepared 00:38:23.159 --> 00:38:23.759 for them 00:38:23.759 --> 00:38:24.360 a city. 00:38:26.019 --> 00:38:27.360 So when we struggle 00:38:27.360 --> 00:38:28.779 in this land of exile 00:38:28.779 --> 00:38:29.400 and we start 00:38:29.400 --> 00:38:30.380 to get discouraged 00:38:30.380 --> 00:38:31.679 when someone asks us 00:38:31.679 --> 00:38:32.819 hey where are you from 00:38:32.819 --> 00:38:34.719 we hesitate 00:38:34.719 --> 00:38:35.199 right? 00:38:35.559 --> 00:38:37.799 I guess I have 00:38:37.799 --> 00:38:38.319 two homes. 00:38:41.539 --> 00:38:43.000 When King Darius 00:38:43.000 --> 00:38:44.059 watched Daniel 00:38:44.059 --> 00:38:44.739 stay true 00:38:44.739 --> 00:38:45.539 to his God 00:38:45.539 --> 00:38:46.380 and then watched 00:38:46.380 --> 00:38:47.719 God deliver Daniel 00:38:47.719 --> 00:38:49.420 the king said 00:38:49.420 --> 00:38:51.139 he is the living God. 00:38:51.599 --> 00:38:52.839 and he endures 00:38:52.839 --> 00:38:53.360 forever. 00:38:53.559 --> 00:38:53.980 His kingdom 00:38:53.980 --> 00:38:54.920 will not be destroyed. 00:38:55.139 --> 00:38:56.019 His dominion 00:38:56.019 --> 00:38:57.339 will never end. 00:38:57.799 --> 00:38:58.779 He rescues 00:38:58.779 --> 00:38:59.639 and saves. 00:39:00.019 --> 00:39:01.159 He has rescued 00:39:01.159 --> 00:39:01.619 Daniel 00:39:01.619 --> 00:39:02.779 from the power 00:39:02.779 --> 00:39:03.579 of the lions. 00:39:06.099 --> 00:39:06.839 Let's pray. 00:39:12.839 --> 00:39:13.860 Father we thank you 00:39:13.860 --> 00:39:14.460 for your word. 00:39:16.639 --> 00:39:17.779 We thank you 00:39:17.779 --> 00:39:19.139 for the reality 00:39:19.139 --> 00:39:21.719 that is here 00:39:21.719 --> 00:39:23.000 the realism 00:39:23.000 --> 00:39:25.879 about what Daniel 00:39:25.879 --> 00:39:26.359 faced 00:39:26.359 --> 00:39:27.420 about the kinds 00:39:27.420 --> 00:39:27.739 of things 00:39:27.739 --> 00:39:28.279 that your people 00:39:28.279 --> 00:39:28.779 have faced 00:39:28.779 --> 00:39:29.480 throughout history. 00:39:31.639 --> 00:39:32.480 We are not 00:39:32.480 --> 00:39:33.019 flippant 00:39:33.019 --> 00:39:33.980 about the challenges 00:39:33.980 --> 00:39:34.779 of persecution 00:39:34.779 --> 00:39:35.920 and the difficulties 00:39:35.920 --> 00:39:36.699 that Christians 00:39:36.699 --> 00:39:37.460 face today 00:39:37.460 --> 00:39:39.000 in different parts 00:39:39.000 --> 00:39:39.420 of the world 00:39:39.420 --> 00:39:40.359 and we pray 00:39:40.359 --> 00:39:41.440 Lord for your people 00:39:41.440 --> 00:39:42.779 everywhere 00:39:42.779 --> 00:39:43.559 who suffer 00:39:43.559 --> 00:39:46.219 sometimes even 00:39:46.219 --> 00:39:47.219 to the point of death 00:39:47.219 --> 00:39:48.079 because of their faith 00:39:48.079 --> 00:39:48.399 in you. 00:39:49.459 --> 00:39:50.839 We pray that you 00:39:50.839 --> 00:39:54.319 would strengthen them 00:39:54.319 --> 00:39:56.139 and help them 00:39:56.139 --> 00:39:57.179 and make your presence 00:39:57.179 --> 00:39:57.899 known to them. 00:39:59.799 --> 00:40:01.139 We pray that by the power 00:40:01.139 --> 00:40:01.739 of your spirit 00:40:01.739 --> 00:40:02.459 you would give them 00:40:02.459 --> 00:40:03.699 grace to stand true 00:40:03.699 --> 00:40:04.419 to the gospel 00:40:04.419 --> 00:40:06.519 to stay true 00:40:06.519 --> 00:40:07.219 to their faith 00:40:07.219 --> 00:40:08.119 and their trust in you. 00:40:08.239 --> 00:40:08.699 We pray 00:40:08.699 --> 00:40:10.599 that you would deliver them 00:40:10.599 --> 00:40:11.219 from their enemies 00:40:11.219 --> 00:40:13.119 that you would ruin 00:40:13.119 --> 00:40:14.079 their enemies 00:40:14.079 --> 00:40:16.179 that you would ruin 00:40:16.179 --> 00:40:16.799 those people 00:40:16.799 --> 00:40:17.779 who have set their face 00:40:17.779 --> 00:40:18.339 against you. 00:40:20.419 --> 00:40:21.419 And for all of us 00:40:21.419 --> 00:40:21.599 Lord 00:40:21.599 --> 00:40:23.219 we pray here 00:40:23.219 --> 00:40:24.039 that you would 00:40:24.039 --> 00:40:24.939 teach us 00:40:24.939 --> 00:40:25.579 to serve you 00:40:25.579 --> 00:40:26.480 with total commitment 00:40:26.480 --> 00:40:28.159 and unrelenting allegiance. 00:40:29.799 --> 00:40:30.939 We don't know 00:40:30.939 --> 00:40:31.779 all the things 00:40:31.779 --> 00:40:32.919 that you have called us to. 00:40:34.179 --> 00:40:35.039 We don't know 00:40:35.039 --> 00:40:35.659 what the future 00:40:35.659 --> 00:40:36.639 of each of us holds 00:40:36.639 --> 00:40:37.299 but we pray 00:40:37.299 --> 00:40:38.079 that you would help us 00:40:38.079 --> 00:40:39.639 to serve our world here 00:40:39.639 --> 00:40:41.319 in each of our spheres 00:40:41.319 --> 00:40:42.019 of influence 00:40:42.019 --> 00:40:42.799 with integrity 00:40:42.799 --> 00:40:44.239 and diligence 00:40:44.239 --> 00:40:45.839 and love 00:40:45.839 --> 00:40:46.539 toward other people. 00:40:47.839 --> 00:40:48.859 We pray that you would 00:40:48.859 --> 00:40:49.299 help us to be 00:40:49.299 --> 00:40:50.359 the best citizens 00:40:50.359 --> 00:40:51.139 of Kenosha 00:40:51.139 --> 00:40:52.079 and of Wisconsin 00:40:52.079 --> 00:40:53.980 and of the U.S. 00:40:55.139 --> 00:40:56.319 But we also pray 00:40:56.319 --> 00:40:57.500 that we would be wise 00:40:57.500 --> 00:40:59.199 to know when 00:40:59.199 --> 00:40:59.699 and how 00:40:59.699 --> 00:41:01.139 to be uncompromising 00:41:01.139 --> 00:41:02.379 in our loyalty to you. 00:41:05.039 --> 00:41:05.480 Lord 00:41:05.480 --> 00:41:06.379 we are looking forward 00:41:06.379 --> 00:41:07.039 in the future 00:41:07.039 --> 00:41:07.599 to seeing 00:41:07.599 --> 00:41:08.679 your ultimate victory 00:41:08.679 --> 00:41:10.699 and to seeing 00:41:10.699 --> 00:41:11.759 our eternal home 00:41:11.759 --> 00:41:12.159 with you. 00:41:13.500 --> 00:41:14.239 And so we pray 00:41:14.239 --> 00:41:15.719 with the Apostle John 00:41:15.719 --> 00:41:16.399 even so 00:41:16.399 --> 00:41:18.179 come Lord Jesus. 00:41:19.619 --> 00:41:20.000 Amen.