WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.480 You are listening to a message from Southwood Presbyterian Church in Huntsville, Alabama. 00:00:06.980 --> 00:00:09.540 Our passion is to experience and express grace. 00:00:10.080 --> 00:00:10.620 Join us. 00:00:11.880 --> 00:00:12.480 Amen. 00:00:13.120 --> 00:00:20.879 It's a great, great day to look forward to, to be thrilled about and have our lives today 00:00:20.879 --> 00:00:23.920 shaped by what's going to happen eternally. 00:00:24.960 --> 00:00:27.019 That's a big theme in the book of Daniel. 00:00:27.019 --> 00:00:33.479 We've made it this morning to Daniel 6 in the lion's den, as I mentioned to the kids earlier. 00:00:34.380 --> 00:00:40.299 This is the final and climactic scene in the first half of the book of Daniel that recounts 00:00:40.299 --> 00:00:46.980 the stories of Daniel and his friends living in Babylon and learning how to follow the true 00:00:46.980 --> 00:00:50.079 king while living in another's kingdom. 00:00:51.159 --> 00:00:53.719 You've heard this story before, I suspect. 00:00:54.500 --> 00:00:56.159 Perhaps sung about it. 00:00:56.159 --> 00:00:58.519 Perhaps told your kids about it. 00:00:59.459 --> 00:01:02.659 But what is Daniel and the lion's den all about? 00:01:03.859 --> 00:01:06.019 Let's pray and ask for God's help. 00:01:06.159 --> 00:01:09.319 We'll read parts of the familiar story as we go. 00:01:09.439 --> 00:01:10.019 Pray with me. 00:01:12.620 --> 00:01:15.879 Father, we will recognize many of these words. 00:01:16.060 --> 00:01:19.280 Our kids have told us what happens here. 00:01:19.280 --> 00:01:25.079 But we need your spirit to speak to us through your word this morning. 00:01:25.879 --> 00:01:33.099 We need not to hear things that are assumptions of our own hearts, that feed our own idols and our own desires. 00:01:33.359 --> 00:01:35.060 We need to hear from you. 00:01:35.460 --> 00:01:38.540 Would you speak clearly and powerfully? 00:01:38.540 --> 00:01:40.680 And would you give us hearts to hear? 00:01:41.900 --> 00:01:44.680 Hearts to be sensitive to what you would teach us. 00:01:44.780 --> 00:01:51.880 Hearts to change and to become different people because we have encountered you in your word. 00:01:52.200 --> 00:01:55.200 Do that work this morning, we ask in Jesus' name. 00:01:56.100 --> 00:01:56.420 Amen. 00:01:56.420 --> 00:02:05.219 Imagine for me this morning as we get started that you're a journalist back in the 6th century BC. 00:02:05.439 --> 00:02:08.159 It's a very popular profession back then. 00:02:08.219 --> 00:02:08.780 There were a lot of them. 00:02:09.219 --> 00:02:14.520 Imagine that you are a reporter in Babylon for the Hebrew Herald. 00:02:15.280 --> 00:02:20.879 You know, the Hebrew Herald, the one that prints all the news for all the exiles in Babylon. 00:02:21.099 --> 00:02:22.020 That's their motto. 00:02:22.719 --> 00:02:24.439 And you've been on staff for a while. 00:02:24.439 --> 00:02:28.479 You've been stuck covering typical, unimpressive stuff. 00:02:28.560 --> 00:02:31.120 You never make it past the bottom of page 8. 00:02:31.859 --> 00:02:34.300 And then one day, you get your big break. 00:02:35.099 --> 00:02:43.680 You hear that there's this story about a Hebrew prophet who has survived the king's lion's den. 00:02:44.740 --> 00:02:47.800 And you've been told that you get the big interview. 00:02:48.419 --> 00:02:51.319 You've got an exclusive sit-down with Daniel. 00:02:51.879 --> 00:02:54.340 This is your big moment. 00:02:54.439 --> 00:02:59.060 This is going to be the career-making interview and story. 00:02:59.280 --> 00:03:02.919 Front page headlines for sure for the first time. 00:03:03.280 --> 00:03:09.680 And so you get in your chariot and you drive across town to meet with Daniel for the interview. 00:03:10.099 --> 00:03:16.740 And in your mind are all of these wonderful headlines and what it's going to look like splashed across the front page. 00:03:16.740 --> 00:03:23.439 You know, you start thinking things like, ageless wonder, 90-year-old escapes again. 00:03:23.700 --> 00:03:24.840 Yeah, that's what it's going to say. 00:03:25.500 --> 00:03:27.480 And then you think, no, no, no, miraculous. 00:03:29.060 --> 00:03:32.719 Hebrew shows overgrown cats what nine lives is all about. 00:03:32.719 --> 00:03:34.800 That's what it's going to say. 00:03:35.520 --> 00:03:40.199 Then you think, no, maybe what it should be is lion lunch turns lion whisperer. 00:03:40.819 --> 00:03:41.659 That's what it is. 00:03:41.719 --> 00:03:48.199 Daniel, he's going to be the cover boy for my new series of articles that's really going to show this. 00:03:48.759 --> 00:03:51.639 And then you think to yourself, no, none of those. 00:03:51.639 --> 00:03:54.959 The one that's really going to make it big is this one. 00:03:55.019 --> 00:03:56.019 And you settle on this. 00:03:56.539 --> 00:03:57.199 Cat food? 00:03:57.979 --> 00:03:58.819 Not our profit. 00:04:00.179 --> 00:04:01.539 And you've got it. 00:04:01.639 --> 00:04:08.879 So there you go to your interview with Daniel, certain that these wonderful headlines are going to make your career. 00:04:09.519 --> 00:04:11.299 You can't wait to talk to Daniel. 00:04:11.799 --> 00:04:15.560 This extraordinary guy who's obviously done amazing things. 00:04:15.560 --> 00:04:20.459 And you get to the interview and initially you're pretty unimpressed. 00:04:21.639 --> 00:04:23.560 Daniel's no young fella. 00:04:24.680 --> 00:04:25.959 He's pushing 90. 00:04:26.259 --> 00:04:27.000 He's tired. 00:04:28.439 --> 00:04:31.719 He's feeling weak the day that you talk with him. 00:04:32.139 --> 00:04:37.719 But you launch in and intent on finding the story here in Daniel. 00:04:38.979 --> 00:04:41.180 Tell me about the big night with the lions. 00:04:41.339 --> 00:04:43.240 What did you do or say? 00:04:44.279 --> 00:04:49.659 Daniel says, well, I patted a couple of them on the head and prayed for a bit. 00:04:49.660 --> 00:04:51.900 And then I slept for a bit. 00:04:53.520 --> 00:04:55.880 You think, all right, well, I'll try another angle. 00:04:56.000 --> 00:04:59.420 Tell me, how did you prepare for that moment of being thrown in? 00:04:59.480 --> 00:05:01.760 What did you do leading up to that moment? 00:05:02.720 --> 00:05:04.840 And Daniel says, well, let's see. 00:05:04.920 --> 00:05:06.879 I mean, I did pray a little bit. 00:05:06.960 --> 00:05:09.080 But really nothing else. 00:05:09.220 --> 00:05:11.600 I mean, I didn't have much time to prepare. 00:05:13.160 --> 00:05:17.280 You say, well, Daniel, did you always know you'd be safe? 00:05:17.279 --> 00:05:21.759 Maybe this is the angle, the faithful guy who was confident in the face of lions. 00:05:22.099 --> 00:05:25.799 And Daniel says, no, not at all, really. 00:05:25.899 --> 00:05:27.519 I was kind of wondering, actually. 00:05:28.239 --> 00:05:30.139 I mean, I knew God could save me. 00:05:30.239 --> 00:05:32.639 But I've lived a long life. 00:05:32.699 --> 00:05:35.879 And I was kind of thinking this might actually be the end. 00:05:35.879 --> 00:05:40.420 You're getting a little bit frustrated at this point. 00:05:40.480 --> 00:05:43.120 It's not coming together the way you expected. 00:05:44.420 --> 00:05:45.639 Make it political, maybe. 00:05:45.839 --> 00:05:47.620 We'll go political with it. 00:05:48.420 --> 00:05:53.480 Daniel, your decision to defy the decree, you know, when you decided to disobey the king, 00:05:53.519 --> 00:05:55.060 you really hate that guy, don't you? 00:05:55.480 --> 00:05:58.100 Tell me about that king, how awful he is. 00:05:58.100 --> 00:06:01.800 Well, actually, I mean, I don't really hate him. 00:06:01.860 --> 00:06:03.580 He's a pretty decent guy. 00:06:03.840 --> 00:06:06.900 And I just, I didn't make a big decision. 00:06:07.060 --> 00:06:10.439 I just prayed like I do every other day. 00:06:12.120 --> 00:06:20.300 And with each answer from Daniel, your dreams of a front page career making story are dwindling, aren't they? 00:06:20.780 --> 00:06:26.140 This is not the guy, the star you expected to play big on the front page. 00:06:26.139 --> 00:06:29.079 There's nothing extraordinary about him, really. 00:06:29.939 --> 00:06:32.399 God seems to have done all of the hard work. 00:06:33.879 --> 00:06:39.139 I mean, at least some of the heroes in the Bible got to do cool stuff like pick up a slingshot and several stones 00:06:39.139 --> 00:06:42.219 or do cool things with their staff. 00:06:42.860 --> 00:06:45.959 And Daniel didn't even get to do those things. 00:06:46.079 --> 00:06:49.259 There's not much remarkable to tell about Daniel. 00:06:51.199 --> 00:06:54.459 Now, we know this morning that Daniel is famous, right? 00:06:54.459 --> 00:06:58.399 Particularly for this story, he's a hero of the Bible. 00:06:59.939 --> 00:07:03.579 But what I want us to notice this morning is that even in this story, 00:07:03.699 --> 00:07:07.379 Daniel does nothing grand or super spiritual. 00:07:08.659 --> 00:07:13.539 He puts on display here what I would call a very ordinary faith. 00:07:13.540 --> 00:07:25.220 But his faith, his ordinary faith, is in an extraordinary God who works beyond what Daniel or the rest of God's people could have ever imagined. 00:07:25.920 --> 00:07:32.420 I mean, if you're a reporter interviewing Daniel for this story, you're realizing you've got the wrong hero, right? 00:07:32.420 --> 00:07:40.939 And sadly, you don't have any great front page photos of this awesome lion silencing, king conquering God, do you? 00:07:41.620 --> 00:07:43.379 That's not working out for you. 00:07:45.140 --> 00:07:47.860 Notice how the story ends in Daniel 6. 00:07:47.939 --> 00:07:49.319 Look at verse 25. 00:07:49.319 --> 00:07:56.540 At the end of the lion's den story, King Darius wrote to all the peoples, nations, and languages that dwell in the earth, 00:07:57.199 --> 00:07:59.279 Peace be multiplied to you. 00:07:59.959 --> 00:08:07.319 I make a decree that in all my royal dominion, people are to tremble and fear before the God of Daniel. 00:08:07.819 --> 00:08:10.639 For he is the living God, enduring forever. 00:08:11.120 --> 00:08:15.579 His kingdom shall never be destroyed, and his dominion shall be to the end. 00:08:15.579 --> 00:08:17.759 He delivers and rescues. 00:08:18.039 --> 00:08:21.000 He works signs and wonders in heaven and on earth. 00:08:21.259 --> 00:08:24.099 He who has saved Daniel from the power of the lions. 00:08:25.159 --> 00:08:30.599 So this Daniel prospered during the reign of Darius and the reign of Cyrus the Persian. 00:08:31.979 --> 00:08:33.799 What happens at the end of the story? 00:08:34.120 --> 00:08:41.679 God is praised and honored, and Daniel gets a footnote, a brief mention. 00:08:41.679 --> 00:08:49.719 If you're going to understand the point of the story, and what God wants his people to take away from it, 00:08:50.500 --> 00:08:54.699 it's this great God they need to see in the lion's den story. 00:08:55.159 --> 00:09:04.739 We learn here that God is the true king who is always on the throne and always able to deliver. 00:09:05.379 --> 00:09:07.599 That's what that proclamation says, right? 00:09:07.600 --> 00:09:13.740 The one we just read there at the end of the story, he is the living God with the eternal kingdom. 00:09:14.180 --> 00:09:18.540 He delivers and rescues even when no one else can. 00:09:20.759 --> 00:09:22.540 You see, Darius liked Daniel, didn't he? 00:09:23.120 --> 00:09:24.040 They were buddies. 00:09:25.279 --> 00:09:30.420 Darius got tricked into passing this law, and when he found out what it would do to Daniel, 00:09:30.540 --> 00:09:32.639 remember how Darius responded, verse 14? 00:09:32.639 --> 00:09:37.019 The king, when he heard these words, when he heard about Daniel praying, 00:09:37.340 --> 00:09:41.039 was much distressed and set his mind to deliver Daniel. 00:09:41.319 --> 00:09:44.100 The king said, no, I will deliver Daniel. 00:09:44.799 --> 00:09:45.799 That's what I'm going to do. 00:09:45.840 --> 00:09:46.720 I'm setting my mind. 00:09:46.799 --> 00:09:47.639 That's what's going to happen. 00:09:47.699 --> 00:09:50.519 And he labored till the sun went down to rescue him. 00:09:50.679 --> 00:09:53.659 All day the king did nothing but seek to rescue Daniel. 00:09:55.259 --> 00:09:57.840 But his advisors remind him of the law he's passed. 00:09:57.840 --> 00:10:01.259 And at the end of the day, the king commanded, verse 16, 00:10:01.399 --> 00:10:05.139 and Daniel was brought and cast into the den of lions. 00:10:06.160 --> 00:10:09.100 Despite all the king's efforts, Daniel's cast into the lion's den. 00:10:09.139 --> 00:10:10.460 And what does the king say to Daniel? 00:10:12.060 --> 00:10:16.360 May your God, whom you serve continually, deliver you. 00:10:17.040 --> 00:10:17.399 Why? 00:10:19.000 --> 00:10:20.180 Because I can't. 00:10:20.179 --> 00:10:24.799 I'm the most powerful man in the world. 00:10:26.019 --> 00:10:29.899 And there's nothing else I can do for you, even though I'd like to. 00:10:30.259 --> 00:10:34.699 The most powerful human leaders, even when they want to, 00:10:34.839 --> 00:10:38.759 are often powerless to rescue. 00:10:39.739 --> 00:10:43.959 But God, who is the true king through the reigns of Nebuchadnezzar, 00:10:44.740 --> 00:10:48.000 Belshazzar, other kings, and now Darius, 00:10:48.000 --> 00:10:54.600 the true king, God is always powerful and able to deliver. 00:10:56.100 --> 00:10:59.399 Daniel, Darius says, has your God been able to deliver you? 00:11:00.799 --> 00:11:04.419 Yes, he sent his angel to shut the lions' mouths. 00:11:05.419 --> 00:11:09.159 God is the one doing the miraculous in this passage. 00:11:09.700 --> 00:11:13.519 And Daniel has learned to trust him. 00:11:14.740 --> 00:11:15.740 Just to trust him. 00:11:15.740 --> 00:11:20.419 You see, Daniel knows who the true king is, doesn't he? 00:11:21.519 --> 00:11:25.799 You've got to believe that Daniel helped Darius write this proclamation 00:11:25.799 --> 00:11:27.299 at the end of the chapter, don't you? 00:11:27.700 --> 00:11:31.299 First of all, it sounds like the ones at the end of most of the other stories 00:11:31.299 --> 00:11:32.180 we've read already, 00:11:32.519 --> 00:11:35.600 where one of these pagan kings writes a proclamation 00:11:35.600 --> 00:11:39.279 about the greatness of Yahweh, Daniel's God. 00:11:39.720 --> 00:11:40.740 It sounds like that. 00:11:40.799 --> 00:11:43.320 It sounds like Daniel's been helping out. 00:11:43.320 --> 00:11:47.080 I mean, after all, if you were Darius, wouldn't you ask for Daniel's help 00:11:47.080 --> 00:11:50.400 and how to honor and praise Daniel's God? 00:11:51.120 --> 00:11:55.420 So it's Daniel who knows and says in the proclamation 00:11:55.420 --> 00:11:59.200 what he's experienced over and over. 00:12:00.040 --> 00:12:06.320 The extraordinary reigning and rescuing nature of his God. 00:12:06.320 --> 00:12:09.120 That's what we read about in this story. 00:12:09.320 --> 00:12:14.200 It's knowing a God like that, that Daniel knows deeply and intimately. 00:12:14.480 --> 00:12:19.040 It's knowing a God like that that enables Daniel to have the faith 00:12:19.040 --> 00:12:21.500 he's so famous for in this story. 00:12:22.900 --> 00:12:24.460 What is his faith like? 00:12:25.220 --> 00:12:29.960 You know, what do I have to do to be as amazing and spiritual as Daniel? 00:12:29.960 --> 00:12:34.700 Well, he doesn't do anything really remarkable. 00:12:36.000 --> 00:12:37.879 It's just ordinary faith. 00:12:38.519 --> 00:12:43.800 The kind of faith that you and I are called to have day by day. 00:12:44.420 --> 00:12:49.519 And so we see in this story that knowing this extraordinary God 00:12:49.519 --> 00:12:57.259 enables ordinary faith to be first daily faith. 00:12:57.259 --> 00:13:01.299 Daily faith. 00:13:02.059 --> 00:13:05.399 Daniel has been serving in leadership here in Babylon 00:13:05.399 --> 00:13:07.939 for the better part of seven decades. 00:13:09.139 --> 00:13:13.279 He's served multiple administrations and even different nations 00:13:13.279 --> 00:13:15.279 since he first started. 00:13:15.860 --> 00:13:20.039 And King Darius is about to set him over the whole kingdom. 00:13:20.279 --> 00:13:21.659 He trusts him so much. 00:13:22.919 --> 00:13:25.919 But then remember how the other officials feel about that. 00:13:25.919 --> 00:13:29.139 How do they feel about Daniel getting promoted? 00:13:29.679 --> 00:13:34.059 The high officials and the satraps sought to find a ground for complaint against Daniel. 00:13:34.259 --> 00:13:34.899 They're jealous. 00:13:37.039 --> 00:13:39.579 They want to complain against Daniel with regard to the kingdom, 00:13:39.879 --> 00:13:43.740 but they could find no ground for complaint or any fault 00:13:43.740 --> 00:13:48.759 because he was faithful and no error or fault was found in him. 00:13:48.759 --> 00:13:50.899 Then these men said, 00:13:50.899 --> 00:13:54.519 we shall not find any ground for complaint against this Daniel 00:13:54.519 --> 00:13:59.600 unless we find it in connection with the law of his God. 00:14:01.120 --> 00:14:02.600 They're jealous of Daniel. 00:14:02.720 --> 00:14:04.539 They want to catch him in something. 00:14:05.039 --> 00:14:06.740 But as they puzzled over this together, 00:14:06.960 --> 00:14:10.580 they determined the only thing they could convict him of was what? 00:14:11.439 --> 00:14:13.240 Faith in his God. 00:14:13.240 --> 00:14:16.200 You know that old question, 00:14:16.360 --> 00:14:18.980 if you were accused of being a Christian, 00:14:19.139 --> 00:14:21.340 would there be enough evidence to convict you? 00:14:21.840 --> 00:14:22.779 You heard that one before? 00:14:24.820 --> 00:14:27.980 Well, Daniel can't get convicted of anything else. 00:14:28.720 --> 00:14:31.039 There's nothing else that will stick. 00:14:31.180 --> 00:14:36.580 He hasn't been disrespectful or disruptive about his faith. 00:14:36.580 --> 00:14:41.800 He's been a trusted and faithful servant of multiple kings. 00:14:43.040 --> 00:14:44.360 And at the same time, 00:14:44.440 --> 00:14:46.740 those who work with him have learned over the years 00:14:46.740 --> 00:14:50.180 that there's no compromise on his faith in God. 00:14:50.580 --> 00:14:52.960 It's the one thing they know for sure about him. 00:14:54.240 --> 00:14:55.120 In other words, 00:14:55.259 --> 00:15:00.100 Daniel did his job with excellence day in and day out. 00:15:00.960 --> 00:15:05.379 He was honest and above reproach in his dealings with people. 00:15:05.379 --> 00:15:09.779 He persevered through transitions and difficult seasons. 00:15:10.419 --> 00:15:13.559 And he didn't hide his faith in God from anyone around him. 00:15:15.620 --> 00:15:17.559 Nothing really flashy there, is there? 00:15:18.279 --> 00:15:20.519 Pretty ordinary, right? 00:15:21.360 --> 00:15:24.139 Quite possibly what you are called to, 00:15:25.120 --> 00:15:25.879 where you are, 00:15:26.740 --> 00:15:28.039 day after day, 00:15:29.220 --> 00:15:30.460 year after year, 00:15:31.799 --> 00:15:34.700 faithful service in a pagan land 00:15:34.700 --> 00:15:37.120 with an uncompromising commitment 00:15:37.120 --> 00:15:38.540 to the true king. 00:15:39.920 --> 00:15:41.180 Is that where God's called you? 00:15:44.740 --> 00:15:45.879 As the story goes, 00:15:46.000 --> 00:15:48.960 those who decide they want to get Daniel out of their way 00:15:48.960 --> 00:15:51.060 resort to catching Daniel. 00:15:51.259 --> 00:15:53.560 How are they going to catch him with his faith to God? 00:15:53.740 --> 00:15:55.800 They say we're going to catch him praying, right? 00:15:56.400 --> 00:15:57.660 That we can count on. 00:15:57.659 --> 00:16:00.459 We're going to catch Daniel praying to his God 00:16:00.459 --> 00:16:01.759 and we need to come up with something 00:16:01.759 --> 00:16:03.240 so that it's a bad thing 00:16:03.240 --> 00:16:05.579 when we catch him praying to his God. 00:16:05.919 --> 00:16:09.039 So they tricked Darius into passing the law 00:16:09.039 --> 00:16:11.039 that people should pray only to him 00:16:11.039 --> 00:16:12.339 for the next month. 00:16:13.159 --> 00:16:14.240 Look at verse 10. 00:16:15.699 --> 00:16:17.579 When Daniel knew that the document, 00:16:17.759 --> 00:16:19.719 that that decree had been signed, 00:16:20.159 --> 00:16:21.480 he went to his house 00:16:21.480 --> 00:16:24.460 where he had windows in his upper chamber 00:16:24.460 --> 00:16:25.680 open toward Jerusalem. 00:16:26.700 --> 00:16:29.139 He got down on his knees three times a day 00:16:29.139 --> 00:16:32.200 and prayed and gave thanks before his God 00:16:32.200 --> 00:16:35.080 as he had done previously. 00:16:37.039 --> 00:16:38.860 This verse is a beautiful picture 00:16:38.860 --> 00:16:41.740 of Daniel's praying faith. 00:16:42.120 --> 00:16:43.700 If you like alliteration 00:16:43.700 --> 00:16:46.000 and you want three D words in your blanks, 00:16:46.039 --> 00:16:46.740 in your bulletin, 00:16:46.899 --> 00:16:48.940 you can call it dependent faith. 00:16:48.940 --> 00:16:52.020 But I didn't want us to miss 00:16:52.020 --> 00:16:54.300 the importance of prayer itself 00:16:54.300 --> 00:16:55.180 in this passage. 00:16:55.340 --> 00:16:56.240 It is, after all, 00:16:56.300 --> 00:16:58.480 what gets Daniel thrown in the lion's den, right? 00:16:59.160 --> 00:17:02.500 The fact that he's praying to his God. 00:17:03.480 --> 00:17:06.019 The fact that Daniel won't compromise 00:17:06.019 --> 00:17:07.740 for even a month. 00:17:08.240 --> 00:17:09.340 Just take a month off. 00:17:10.180 --> 00:17:11.279 The decree will expire 00:17:11.279 --> 00:17:12.779 and Daniel won't compromise 00:17:12.779 --> 00:17:16.120 even for a month on his praying faith. 00:17:16.119 --> 00:17:19.099 The kind of ordinary faith 00:17:19.099 --> 00:17:20.399 we are called to have 00:17:20.399 --> 00:17:22.819 trusts God enough to live daily 00:17:22.819 --> 00:17:25.239 in a way that is faithful to God. 00:17:25.719 --> 00:17:27.839 That God can take care of me 00:17:27.839 --> 00:17:30.500 if I live day by day for him. 00:17:31.159 --> 00:17:32.419 And at the same time, 00:17:32.479 --> 00:17:35.099 it also prays regularly to God. 00:17:35.259 --> 00:17:37.439 Because we know that he is the one 00:17:37.439 --> 00:17:39.019 who does the extraordinary. 00:17:39.599 --> 00:17:41.039 That he is the true king. 00:17:41.399 --> 00:17:42.619 And so what my heart needs 00:17:42.619 --> 00:17:44.959 is to trust and depend on him. 00:17:44.960 --> 00:17:47.039 I need to be molded into someone 00:17:47.039 --> 00:17:49.440 who trusts and prays. 00:17:50.740 --> 00:17:52.220 Look at this verse more closely 00:17:52.220 --> 00:17:54.779 and notice just a few instructive things 00:17:54.779 --> 00:17:56.960 about Daniel's praying faith. 00:17:57.319 --> 00:17:59.400 First, notice the windows 00:17:59.400 --> 00:18:00.720 in the upper chamber 00:18:00.720 --> 00:18:02.840 open toward Jerusalem. 00:18:03.299 --> 00:18:04.180 What does that mean? 00:18:04.600 --> 00:18:06.740 That's a strange detail to include. 00:18:07.480 --> 00:18:08.440 Well, what it means is that 00:18:08.440 --> 00:18:10.180 Daniel's prayers are focused 00:18:10.180 --> 00:18:13.000 on God's glory and God's people. 00:18:13.000 --> 00:18:16.420 You see, back in 1 Kings 8, 00:18:16.720 --> 00:18:18.900 after King Solomon built the temple 00:18:18.900 --> 00:18:20.200 to God in Jerusalem, 00:18:20.519 --> 00:18:21.619 he prayed a prayer 00:18:21.619 --> 00:18:23.440 dedicating the temple to God. 00:18:23.640 --> 00:18:25.359 And it anticipated some of the things 00:18:25.359 --> 00:18:27.059 that would happen to God's people, 00:18:27.500 --> 00:18:30.160 including where Daniel is in exile. 00:18:31.500 --> 00:18:33.940 In verse 48 of 1 Kings 8, 00:18:34.480 --> 00:18:36.380 Solomon's prayer says this, 00:18:36.740 --> 00:18:38.779 God, after they've gone into exile, 00:18:38.940 --> 00:18:40.819 if they repent with all their mind 00:18:40.819 --> 00:18:41.839 and with all their heart 00:18:41.839 --> 00:18:43.059 and the land of their enemies 00:18:43.059 --> 00:18:44.220 who carried them captive, 00:18:44.939 --> 00:18:47.159 and pray to you toward their land 00:18:47.159 --> 00:18:48.740 which you gave to their fathers, 00:18:49.159 --> 00:18:50.599 the city that you have chosen 00:18:50.599 --> 00:18:52.079 and the house that I have built 00:18:52.079 --> 00:18:53.019 for your name, 00:18:53.779 --> 00:18:54.799 then here in heaven 00:18:54.799 --> 00:18:55.679 your dwelling place, 00:18:55.759 --> 00:18:56.980 their prayer and their plea 00:18:56.980 --> 00:18:58.399 and maintain their cause, 00:18:58.539 --> 00:18:59.859 and forgive your people 00:18:59.859 --> 00:19:01.220 who have sinned against you 00:19:01.220 --> 00:19:02.679 and all their transgressions 00:19:02.679 --> 00:19:03.799 they've committed against you. 00:19:03.879 --> 00:19:04.879 Grant them compassion 00:19:04.879 --> 00:19:06.279 in the sight of those 00:19:06.279 --> 00:19:07.460 who carried them captive, 00:19:08.179 --> 00:19:09.819 that they may have compassion on them. 00:19:09.819 --> 00:19:11.779 For God, they are your people 00:19:11.779 --> 00:19:12.919 and your heritage 00:19:12.919 --> 00:19:15.099 which you brought out of Egypt. 00:19:16.299 --> 00:19:17.839 It's not just speculation 00:19:17.839 --> 00:19:20.519 that Daniel was praying this way. 00:19:21.139 --> 00:19:22.579 In Daniel chapter 9, 00:19:22.679 --> 00:19:24.240 a prayer of Daniel is recorded 00:19:24.240 --> 00:19:25.740 from the exact same year 00:19:25.740 --> 00:19:27.159 as the lion's den story, 00:19:27.299 --> 00:19:28.700 and these are the things he's praying. 00:19:29.379 --> 00:19:31.059 Praying for the people of God. 00:19:31.139 --> 00:19:32.319 God, forgive us. 00:19:32.980 --> 00:19:34.259 God, bless us. 00:19:34.379 --> 00:19:36.179 God, restore us to your land 00:19:36.179 --> 00:19:39.059 and the temple where you dwell with us. 00:19:39.059 --> 00:19:41.639 Your presence with your people 00:19:41.639 --> 00:19:44.179 is what I long for and hope for. 00:19:45.519 --> 00:19:47.359 God, bless, forgive, 00:19:48.000 --> 00:19:49.519 restore your people. 00:19:50.139 --> 00:19:51.460 Do you pray that way? 00:19:52.799 --> 00:19:54.819 Do you pray for God's glory 00:19:54.819 --> 00:19:56.899 through His care for His people? 00:19:58.039 --> 00:19:59.419 Do you get reoriented 00:19:59.419 --> 00:20:01.779 by focusing on God's glory 00:20:01.779 --> 00:20:03.039 and His kingdom? 00:20:03.159 --> 00:20:04.480 Is that what centers you? 00:20:04.480 --> 00:20:06.059 Is that what's most important? 00:20:08.319 --> 00:20:10.059 That's how Daniel prays. 00:20:11.059 --> 00:20:12.480 Next, notice that he got down 00:20:12.480 --> 00:20:14.099 on his knees three times a day 00:20:14.099 --> 00:20:16.599 and prayed and gave thanks 00:20:16.599 --> 00:20:18.339 before his God. 00:20:20.240 --> 00:20:21.180 Thanking God? 00:20:22.279 --> 00:20:23.720 You may take that for granted 00:20:23.720 --> 00:20:24.579 in prayer, 00:20:24.720 --> 00:20:25.900 but seriously? 00:20:26.140 --> 00:20:26.620 For what? 00:20:26.619 --> 00:20:28.719 You're in exile. 00:20:30.000 --> 00:20:32.019 People are trying to kill you. 00:20:32.879 --> 00:20:34.279 No one you live with 00:20:34.279 --> 00:20:35.559 honors your God. 00:20:36.559 --> 00:20:38.199 And you're thanking God 00:20:38.199 --> 00:20:39.179 three times a day? 00:20:39.299 --> 00:20:40.339 Every day? 00:20:41.779 --> 00:20:43.779 This is the eternal focus 00:20:43.779 --> 00:20:45.779 of Daniel's prayers. 00:20:46.359 --> 00:20:47.219 Thanking God 00:20:47.219 --> 00:20:49.339 despite the current circumstances 00:20:49.339 --> 00:20:51.279 because he trusts God's 00:20:51.279 --> 00:20:52.299 eternal promises 00:20:52.299 --> 00:20:53.719 to His people. 00:20:53.720 --> 00:20:56.120 He looks toward Jerusalem. 00:20:57.000 --> 00:20:58.700 He knows God has promised 00:20:58.700 --> 00:21:00.019 to restore His people. 00:21:00.620 --> 00:21:02.079 He knows despite the pain 00:21:02.079 --> 00:21:02.660 of the day, 00:21:02.759 --> 00:21:03.759 He has a promise 00:21:03.759 --> 00:21:05.480 of a brighter future. 00:21:06.480 --> 00:21:07.700 And so he thanks God 00:21:07.700 --> 00:21:09.279 over and over 00:21:09.279 --> 00:21:11.079 and over in prayer. 00:21:13.279 --> 00:21:15.180 Does God hear more gripes 00:21:15.180 --> 00:21:16.539 or gratitude 00:21:16.539 --> 00:21:18.559 from us? 00:21:19.620 --> 00:21:21.620 Listen, He does invite us 00:21:21.619 --> 00:21:23.039 to pour out our hearts 00:21:23.039 --> 00:21:24.039 before Him. 00:21:24.659 --> 00:21:25.500 But our prayers 00:21:25.500 --> 00:21:26.879 should be bathed 00:21:26.879 --> 00:21:27.739 in the promises 00:21:27.739 --> 00:21:28.739 of His Word 00:21:28.739 --> 00:21:30.259 so that our hearts 00:21:30.259 --> 00:21:31.299 pour out not only 00:21:31.299 --> 00:21:32.799 pleas for help 00:21:32.799 --> 00:21:33.939 in the difficulties 00:21:33.939 --> 00:21:34.799 of life, 00:21:34.979 --> 00:21:36.379 but also promises 00:21:36.379 --> 00:21:36.979 of God 00:21:36.979 --> 00:21:38.259 that ground us 00:21:38.259 --> 00:21:39.639 with an eternal perspective 00:21:39.639 --> 00:21:40.279 in the midst 00:21:40.279 --> 00:21:41.799 of those difficulties. 00:21:42.159 --> 00:21:43.319 Listen, life is hard 00:21:43.319 --> 00:21:44.019 and God wants 00:21:44.019 --> 00:21:44.979 to hear about it. 00:21:45.279 --> 00:21:45.899 But He wants you 00:21:45.899 --> 00:21:46.859 to see His Word 00:21:46.859 --> 00:21:47.579 and to know 00:21:47.579 --> 00:21:48.539 His promises 00:21:48.539 --> 00:21:49.559 to care for you 00:21:49.559 --> 00:21:51.139 and His eternal hope 00:21:51.139 --> 00:21:52.659 stands sure. 00:21:53.079 --> 00:21:53.639 And Daniel 00:21:53.639 --> 00:21:55.299 holds on to that, 00:21:55.579 --> 00:21:56.299 thanking God 00:21:56.299 --> 00:21:57.119 over and over, 00:21:57.220 --> 00:21:57.919 looking towards 00:21:57.919 --> 00:21:58.859 the promised land 00:21:58.859 --> 00:21:59.319 and saying, 00:21:59.599 --> 00:22:00.419 I know God 00:22:00.419 --> 00:22:01.119 has something 00:22:01.119 --> 00:22:02.299 for me. 00:22:04.700 --> 00:22:05.259 Finally, 00:22:05.419 --> 00:22:06.759 notice that he prays 00:22:06.759 --> 00:22:08.179 three times a day 00:22:08.179 --> 00:22:11.419 as he had done 00:22:11.419 --> 00:22:12.659 previously. 00:22:14.539 --> 00:22:15.619 This isn't something 00:22:15.619 --> 00:22:17.039 Daniel like all of a sudden 00:22:17.039 --> 00:22:18.059 starts to do 00:22:18.059 --> 00:22:19.639 because it's a big crisis, 00:22:19.639 --> 00:22:20.099 is it? 00:22:21.480 --> 00:22:23.279 This is Daniel's pattern. 00:22:24.240 --> 00:22:26.319 Not some magic formula, 00:22:27.000 --> 00:22:27.659 kneel down, 00:22:27.799 --> 00:22:28.559 face Jerusalem 00:22:28.559 --> 00:22:29.659 three times a day 00:22:29.659 --> 00:22:30.319 and God will hear 00:22:30.319 --> 00:22:30.740 your prayers. 00:22:30.859 --> 00:22:32.599 No, that's not the point. 00:22:33.500 --> 00:22:35.379 But this is Daniel's pattern. 00:22:35.839 --> 00:22:37.980 No decree from any human king 00:22:37.980 --> 00:22:39.519 is going to change 00:22:39.519 --> 00:22:40.859 his commitment. 00:22:42.299 --> 00:22:43.339 It's Daniel's pattern 00:22:43.339 --> 00:22:45.119 developed in the easy days 00:22:45.119 --> 00:22:46.459 that carries 00:22:46.459 --> 00:22:48.299 through the hard days. 00:22:49.159 --> 00:22:51.000 If we pray in peace, 00:22:51.659 --> 00:22:53.500 we will pray in peril 00:22:53.500 --> 00:22:55.939 when it's harder to start. 00:22:56.939 --> 00:22:58.599 If we depend on God 00:22:58.599 --> 00:22:59.379 in private, 00:22:59.739 --> 00:23:01.239 we will depend on God 00:23:01.239 --> 00:23:01.919 in public 00:23:01.919 --> 00:23:04.139 as we have seen Daniel do 00:23:04.139 --> 00:23:05.979 time and again already. 00:23:06.219 --> 00:23:08.059 His public faithfulness, 00:23:08.139 --> 00:23:08.959 being able to live 00:23:08.959 --> 00:23:10.219 day by day for God, 00:23:10.379 --> 00:23:12.119 is rooted in what's going on 00:23:12.119 --> 00:23:13.119 up in his room 00:23:13.119 --> 00:23:14.319 facing Jerusalem, 00:23:14.779 --> 00:23:16.539 pleading with his God, 00:23:16.619 --> 00:23:18.599 his private faithfulness, 00:23:18.759 --> 00:23:20.279 where he entrusts himself 00:23:20.279 --> 00:23:21.479 to the true king 00:23:21.479 --> 00:23:23.019 and centers his heart, 00:23:23.139 --> 00:23:23.879 brings it back 00:23:23.879 --> 00:23:25.199 day after day 00:23:25.199 --> 00:23:26.619 and moment by moment 00:23:26.619 --> 00:23:28.259 to what really matters 00:23:28.259 --> 00:23:30.179 and who really reigns. 00:23:30.479 --> 00:23:31.359 That's what Daniel 00:23:31.359 --> 00:23:32.719 re-centers on every day. 00:23:33.059 --> 00:23:34.459 What really matters 00:23:34.459 --> 00:23:35.539 as I go into 00:23:35.539 --> 00:23:36.719 where God's called me today 00:23:36.719 --> 00:23:38.559 and who really reigns? 00:23:39.179 --> 00:23:40.500 Who's in charge today 00:23:40.500 --> 00:23:41.640 even if it doesn't 00:23:41.640 --> 00:23:42.400 feel like it? 00:23:42.940 --> 00:23:45.380 That's vital for us. 00:23:48.359 --> 00:23:49.119 Again, though, 00:23:49.200 --> 00:23:49.480 I mean, 00:23:50.140 --> 00:23:51.039 it makes it sound good 00:23:51.039 --> 00:23:52.279 but nothing really remarkable, 00:23:52.480 --> 00:23:52.680 right? 00:23:53.980 --> 00:23:55.119 He prays. 00:23:56.359 --> 00:23:56.720 I mean, 00:23:56.839 --> 00:23:57.579 I was told 00:23:57.579 --> 00:23:58.900 when I was like two 00:23:58.900 --> 00:23:59.880 that God's people 00:23:59.880 --> 00:24:01.000 were supposed to pray. 00:24:02.339 --> 00:24:03.839 My daughters pray. 00:24:04.140 --> 00:24:04.839 They've been praying 00:24:04.839 --> 00:24:05.599 since that was 00:24:05.599 --> 00:24:06.319 one of the first things, 00:24:06.380 --> 00:24:07.420 ways they learned to talk. 00:24:08.079 --> 00:24:08.700 That's not really 00:24:08.700 --> 00:24:09.480 that impressive. 00:24:09.680 --> 00:24:10.779 Daniel prays. 00:24:12.819 --> 00:24:13.779 But in getting down 00:24:13.779 --> 00:24:14.480 on his knees 00:24:14.480 --> 00:24:15.640 day after day, 00:24:16.160 --> 00:24:17.180 Daniel reminds us 00:24:17.180 --> 00:24:17.920 that in the kingdom 00:24:17.920 --> 00:24:19.140 of the true king, 00:24:19.580 --> 00:24:21.100 greatness and heroism 00:24:21.100 --> 00:24:22.920 looks like bowing down, 00:24:24.140 --> 00:24:25.460 not stepping up. 00:24:26.460 --> 00:24:27.319 Greatness is not 00:24:27.319 --> 00:24:29.400 remarkable feats of strength, 00:24:29.680 --> 00:24:30.819 some wonderful, 00:24:31.080 --> 00:24:32.000 amazing things 00:24:32.000 --> 00:24:33.080 you've never imagined 00:24:33.080 --> 00:24:34.140 doing before. 00:24:34.580 --> 00:24:35.460 It's not shutting 00:24:35.460 --> 00:24:36.600 lions' mouths 00:24:36.599 --> 00:24:38.419 with your wonderful skills 00:24:38.419 --> 00:24:39.859 or your magic powers. 00:24:40.599 --> 00:24:41.879 God does that stuff. 00:24:42.740 --> 00:24:43.699 God does those 00:24:43.699 --> 00:24:44.839 extraordinary things. 00:24:45.259 --> 00:24:46.759 But it's faithful dependence. 00:24:47.819 --> 00:24:48.559 That's what greatness 00:24:48.559 --> 00:24:49.279 looks like 00:24:49.279 --> 00:24:49.939 in the kingdom 00:24:49.939 --> 00:24:50.939 of the true king. 00:24:51.139 --> 00:24:52.939 Faithful dependence. 00:24:53.319 --> 00:24:54.579 Ordinary prayers 00:24:54.579 --> 00:24:57.659 to an extraordinary God. 00:25:00.159 --> 00:25:01.179 Finally, of course, 00:25:01.240 --> 00:25:02.019 we actually get to 00:25:02.019 --> 00:25:02.779 the lion's den. 00:25:02.919 --> 00:25:03.519 Better get there. 00:25:03.519 --> 00:25:05.460 See briefly 00:25:05.460 --> 00:25:07.379 Daniel's desperate faith. 00:25:07.599 --> 00:25:08.259 His faith 00:25:08.259 --> 00:25:09.740 when the crisis hits. 00:25:10.359 --> 00:25:10.980 What does it 00:25:10.980 --> 00:25:11.920 look like then? 00:25:11.960 --> 00:25:13.220 He's trusted his God 00:25:13.220 --> 00:25:14.639 day in and day out 00:25:14.639 --> 00:25:15.660 for decades. 00:25:15.940 --> 00:25:16.700 He's been praying 00:25:16.700 --> 00:25:17.279 to his God 00:25:17.279 --> 00:25:18.200 over and over 00:25:18.200 --> 00:25:19.299 and then 00:25:19.299 --> 00:25:21.639 the crisis comes. 00:25:23.440 --> 00:25:24.220 Your world 00:25:24.220 --> 00:25:24.859 is suddenly 00:25:24.859 --> 00:25:26.259 turned upside down. 00:25:27.859 --> 00:25:29.000 Your life 00:25:29.000 --> 00:25:29.839 is all of a sudden 00:25:29.839 --> 00:25:30.779 in the balance. 00:25:30.779 --> 00:25:33.660 what happens? 00:25:34.399 --> 00:25:35.180 Verse 23. 00:25:37.559 --> 00:25:38.879 The king comes. 00:25:39.639 --> 00:25:40.139 Daniel's 00:25:40.139 --> 00:25:41.460 safe 00:25:41.460 --> 00:25:42.920 and he's exceedingly glad 00:25:42.920 --> 00:25:43.839 and commanded Daniel 00:25:43.839 --> 00:25:44.579 be taken up 00:25:44.579 --> 00:25:45.119 out of the den. 00:25:45.519 --> 00:25:46.700 So Daniel was taken up 00:25:46.700 --> 00:25:47.359 out of the den 00:25:47.359 --> 00:25:48.879 and no kind of harm 00:25:48.879 --> 00:25:50.019 was found on him 00:25:50.019 --> 00:25:50.399 because 00:25:50.399 --> 00:25:52.119 he had trusted 00:25:52.119 --> 00:25:54.240 in his God. 00:25:55.720 --> 00:25:56.200 Because 00:25:56.200 --> 00:25:57.240 even in the midst 00:25:57.240 --> 00:25:58.279 of the lions 00:25:58.279 --> 00:25:59.259 he had trusted 00:25:59.259 --> 00:26:00.299 in his God. 00:26:00.379 --> 00:26:01.019 Why did Daniel 00:26:01.019 --> 00:26:01.680 trust? 00:26:02.859 --> 00:26:03.720 Because God 00:26:03.720 --> 00:26:04.500 is always 00:26:04.500 --> 00:26:06.079 on the throne 00:26:06.079 --> 00:26:07.660 and always 00:26:07.660 --> 00:26:08.619 able 00:26:08.619 --> 00:26:09.779 to deliver. 00:26:10.140 --> 00:26:11.140 He can be trusted 00:26:11.140 --> 00:26:12.500 even when it appears 00:26:12.500 --> 00:26:13.759 all is lost. 00:26:14.660 --> 00:26:15.359 Even when 00:26:15.359 --> 00:26:16.740 all other options 00:26:16.740 --> 00:26:17.599 seem to have 00:26:17.599 --> 00:26:18.279 been exhausted. 00:26:18.740 --> 00:26:19.359 Even when you 00:26:19.359 --> 00:26:19.920 look around 00:26:19.920 --> 00:26:20.879 and there's no good 00:26:20.879 --> 00:26:22.119 reason for hope. 00:26:23.220 --> 00:26:24.700 He can be trusted. 00:26:24.700 --> 00:26:27.539 We could suspect 00:26:27.539 --> 00:26:28.559 Daniel was probably 00:26:28.559 --> 00:26:29.580 like his friends 00:26:29.580 --> 00:26:30.240 in the face 00:26:30.240 --> 00:26:31.500 of the fiery furnace. 00:26:32.380 --> 00:26:33.380 Not certain 00:26:33.380 --> 00:26:34.019 how 00:26:34.019 --> 00:26:35.140 God would 00:26:35.140 --> 00:26:35.559 deliver 00:26:35.559 --> 00:26:37.480 but confident 00:26:37.480 --> 00:26:38.480 God would 00:26:38.480 --> 00:26:39.860 deliver. 00:26:40.180 --> 00:26:40.900 Daniel didn't know 00:26:40.900 --> 00:26:41.660 what the lions 00:26:41.660 --> 00:26:42.680 would do 00:26:42.680 --> 00:26:45.319 but he knew 00:26:45.319 --> 00:26:46.860 that God 00:26:46.860 --> 00:26:47.620 could be trusted. 00:26:49.100 --> 00:26:50.059 He didn't depend 00:26:50.059 --> 00:26:51.039 on his own strength. 00:26:51.660 --> 00:26:52.580 He didn't trust 00:26:52.580 --> 00:26:53.480 his own plans, 00:26:53.480 --> 00:26:54.339 try to come up 00:26:54.339 --> 00:26:55.039 with a way out. 00:26:55.140 --> 00:26:56.000 He didn't hope 00:26:56.000 --> 00:26:56.759 in his power 00:26:56.759 --> 00:26:57.480 or position 00:26:57.480 --> 00:26:58.700 to use his influence 00:26:58.700 --> 00:26:59.839 to rescue him. 00:27:01.339 --> 00:27:02.400 He entrusted 00:27:02.400 --> 00:27:03.000 himself 00:27:03.000 --> 00:27:04.539 to God 00:27:04.539 --> 00:27:05.839 which as we learned 00:27:05.839 --> 00:27:06.460 last week 00:27:06.460 --> 00:27:07.220 is always 00:27:07.220 --> 00:27:08.460 the safe place 00:27:08.460 --> 00:27:09.420 to be. 00:27:09.860 --> 00:27:10.400 Even in the 00:27:10.400 --> 00:27:11.120 lion's den. 00:27:12.120 --> 00:27:13.200 Even in your 00:27:13.200 --> 00:27:13.940 crisis 00:27:13.940 --> 00:27:15.779 or tragedy. 00:27:18.120 --> 00:27:18.559 See Daniel 00:27:18.559 --> 00:27:19.000 may have been 00:27:19.000 --> 00:27:19.620 spared from 00:27:19.620 --> 00:27:20.259 the lions 00:27:20.259 --> 00:27:22.019 but he's 00:27:22.019 --> 00:27:22.879 still in exile 00:27:22.879 --> 00:27:23.519 in Babylon. 00:27:24.019 --> 00:27:24.379 There's still 00:27:24.379 --> 00:27:25.039 a crisis 00:27:25.039 --> 00:27:26.440 for Daniel. 00:27:26.799 --> 00:27:27.279 He still 00:27:27.279 --> 00:27:28.000 hasn't seen 00:27:28.000 --> 00:27:29.119 some remarkable 00:27:29.119 --> 00:27:29.700 repentance 00:27:29.700 --> 00:27:30.559 or restoration 00:27:30.559 --> 00:27:31.460 on behalf 00:27:31.460 --> 00:27:32.779 of God's people 00:27:32.779 --> 00:27:33.559 the way a faithful 00:27:33.559 --> 00:27:34.640 prophet might hope 00:27:34.640 --> 00:27:35.440 to see in his 00:27:35.440 --> 00:27:35.940 lifetime. 00:27:36.579 --> 00:27:37.759 He's 90 now 00:27:37.759 --> 00:27:39.400 and not really 00:27:39.400 --> 00:27:40.160 seeing much 00:27:40.160 --> 00:27:40.759 change. 00:27:41.019 --> 00:27:41.539 He's still 00:27:41.539 --> 00:27:42.500 in a crisis. 00:27:43.500 --> 00:27:44.039 But God 00:27:44.039 --> 00:27:44.900 has reminded him 00:27:44.900 --> 00:27:45.480 again 00:27:45.480 --> 00:27:46.700 that Yahweh 00:27:46.700 --> 00:27:47.799 is the true 00:27:47.799 --> 00:27:48.259 king. 00:27:48.579 --> 00:27:49.259 He's still 00:27:49.259 --> 00:27:49.980 on the throne 00:27:49.980 --> 00:27:51.279 and still 00:27:51.279 --> 00:27:52.039 able 00:27:52.039 --> 00:27:53.359 to deliver. 00:27:54.779 --> 00:27:55.339 That's what we 00:27:55.339 --> 00:27:55.920 want our kids 00:27:55.920 --> 00:27:56.379 to know 00:27:56.379 --> 00:27:56.819 isn't it? 00:27:57.460 --> 00:27:58.180 Daniel and the 00:27:58.180 --> 00:27:58.700 lion's den 00:27:58.700 --> 00:27:59.599 is one of those 00:27:59.599 --> 00:28:00.359 stories that 00:28:00.359 --> 00:28:00.940 kids love. 00:28:01.000 --> 00:28:01.579 It's a great 00:28:01.579 --> 00:28:02.720 story to tell 00:28:02.720 --> 00:28:03.200 our kids 00:28:03.200 --> 00:28:03.660 isn't it? 00:28:04.220 --> 00:28:04.960 But what is it 00:28:04.960 --> 00:28:05.519 that we want 00:28:05.519 --> 00:28:06.220 them to hear? 00:28:06.759 --> 00:28:07.119 Listen 00:28:07.119 --> 00:28:08.480 if the message 00:28:08.480 --> 00:28:09.259 of the story 00:28:09.259 --> 00:28:09.839 of Daniel 00:28:09.839 --> 00:28:10.279 is about 00:28:10.279 --> 00:28:10.900 how great 00:28:10.900 --> 00:28:11.619 Daniel is 00:28:11.619 --> 00:28:12.160 in the face 00:28:12.160 --> 00:28:12.660 of lions 00:28:12.660 --> 00:28:13.200 we got two 00:28:13.200 --> 00:28:13.640 problems. 00:28:13.960 --> 00:28:14.400 First of all 00:28:14.400 --> 00:28:14.740 that's not 00:28:14.740 --> 00:28:15.220 the point. 00:28:16.059 --> 00:28:16.599 We've missed 00:28:16.599 --> 00:28:17.140 the whole point 00:28:17.140 --> 00:28:17.660 of the story. 00:28:18.059 --> 00:28:18.579 Second of all 00:28:18.579 --> 00:28:19.079 how many 00:28:19.079 --> 00:28:19.579 of your kids 00:28:19.579 --> 00:28:19.819 have been 00:28:19.819 --> 00:28:20.220 thrown into 00:28:20.220 --> 00:28:20.839 a lion's 00:28:20.839 --> 00:28:21.480 den recently? 00:28:22.799 --> 00:28:23.460 I could have 00:28:23.460 --> 00:28:23.879 asked them 00:28:23.879 --> 00:28:24.159 up here 00:28:24.159 --> 00:28:24.359 and they 00:28:24.359 --> 00:28:24.720 all would have 00:28:24.720 --> 00:28:25.099 said no. 00:28:27.099 --> 00:28:27.839 How great 00:28:27.839 --> 00:28:28.559 Daniel was 00:28:28.559 --> 00:28:28.899 when he 00:28:28.899 --> 00:28:29.500 hit the 00:28:29.500 --> 00:28:29.859 lion? 00:28:30.679 --> 00:28:30.980 No. 00:28:31.639 --> 00:28:32.139 Never been 00:28:32.139 --> 00:28:32.419 there. 00:28:33.500 --> 00:28:34.259 But what you 00:28:34.259 --> 00:28:34.619 have an 00:28:34.619 --> 00:28:35.299 opportunity to 00:28:35.299 --> 00:28:35.740 do when you 00:28:35.740 --> 00:28:36.139 look at the 00:28:36.139 --> 00:28:36.699 stories of the 00:28:36.699 --> 00:28:37.139 Bible that 00:28:37.139 --> 00:28:37.559 your kids 00:28:37.559 --> 00:28:38.399 love is to 00:28:38.399 --> 00:28:38.939 see what they 00:28:38.939 --> 00:28:39.480 learn about 00:28:39.480 --> 00:28:39.960 God. 00:28:40.259 --> 00:28:41.159 Who is God 00:28:41.159 --> 00:28:42.119 there in the 00:28:42.119 --> 00:28:42.939 story of Daniel 00:28:42.939 --> 00:28:43.720 in the lion's 00:28:43.720 --> 00:28:43.859 den? 00:28:44.079 --> 00:28:44.559 And when you 00:28:44.559 --> 00:28:45.720 find there a 00:28:45.720 --> 00:28:46.319 God who can 00:28:46.319 --> 00:28:47.639 be trusted in 00:28:47.640 --> 00:28:48.560 all kinds of 00:28:48.560 --> 00:28:49.200 circumstances 00:28:49.200 --> 00:28:50.020 then your 00:28:50.020 --> 00:28:50.740 kids are 00:28:50.740 --> 00:28:51.980 helped to 00:28:51.980 --> 00:28:52.640 trust him in 00:28:52.640 --> 00:28:53.480 whatever difficult 00:28:53.480 --> 00:28:54.560 circumstances they 00:28:54.560 --> 00:28:55.000 face. 00:28:55.240 --> 00:28:56.000 When they see 00:28:56.000 --> 00:28:56.560 God as the 00:28:56.560 --> 00:28:57.180 true king 00:28:57.180 --> 00:28:58.200 always on the 00:28:58.200 --> 00:28:58.900 throne always 00:28:58.900 --> 00:28:59.620 able to 00:28:59.620 --> 00:29:00.580 deliver then 00:29:00.580 --> 00:29:01.600 they have a 00:29:01.600 --> 00:29:02.360 king they 00:29:02.360 --> 00:29:03.100 can trust 00:29:03.100 --> 00:29:04.040 wherever they 00:29:04.040 --> 00:29:04.320 are. 00:29:06.800 --> 00:29:07.560 One of the 00:29:07.560 --> 00:29:07.980 reasons I 00:29:07.980 --> 00:29:08.620 started out 00:29:08.620 --> 00:29:09.220 having you 00:29:09.220 --> 00:29:10.280 imagine being 00:29:10.280 --> 00:29:10.800 a journalist 00:29:10.800 --> 00:29:11.680 with all those 00:29:11.680 --> 00:29:12.800 silly headlines 00:29:12.800 --> 00:29:15.280 is that there's 00:29:15.280 --> 00:29:16.280 definitely a story 00:29:16.279 --> 00:29:17.039 to be told 00:29:17.039 --> 00:29:18.160 here in 00:29:18.160 --> 00:29:19.859 Daniel 6 00:29:19.859 --> 00:29:20.420 isn't there? 00:29:22.220 --> 00:29:23.019 Who recognizes 00:29:23.019 --> 00:29:23.599 that there's a 00:29:23.599 --> 00:29:24.139 story to be 00:29:24.139 --> 00:29:24.420 told? 00:29:24.859 --> 00:29:25.920 Darius a 00:29:25.920 --> 00:29:26.799 pagan king 00:29:26.799 --> 00:29:27.619 sees there's a 00:29:27.619 --> 00:29:28.639 story to be 00:29:28.639 --> 00:29:29.240 told he knows 00:29:29.240 --> 00:29:29.839 it at the end 00:29:29.839 --> 00:29:30.420 remember verse 00:29:30.420 --> 00:29:31.079 25? 00:29:31.839 --> 00:29:32.619 Darius wrote 00:29:32.619 --> 00:29:33.119 to whom? 00:29:33.480 --> 00:29:34.460 To all the 00:29:34.460 --> 00:29:35.579 peoples nations 00:29:35.579 --> 00:29:36.440 and languages 00:29:36.440 --> 00:29:37.799 that dwell in 00:29:37.799 --> 00:29:38.660 all the earth 00:29:38.660 --> 00:29:39.960 you got to 00:29:39.960 --> 00:29:40.500 know about 00:29:40.500 --> 00:29:41.379 this there's a 00:29:41.379 --> 00:29:42.579 story to be 00:29:42.579 --> 00:29:43.920 told a story 00:29:43.920 --> 00:29:44.420 that should be 00:29:44.420 --> 00:29:45.420 told to everyone 00:29:45.420 --> 00:29:46.480 by very 00:29:46.480 --> 00:29:48.000 ordinary people 00:29:48.000 --> 00:29:49.240 about the 00:29:49.240 --> 00:29:50.039 true king 00:29:50.039 --> 00:29:51.519 about the 00:29:51.519 --> 00:29:52.240 God they can 00:29:52.240 --> 00:29:52.820 trust 00:29:52.820 --> 00:29:53.500 about how 00:29:53.500 --> 00:29:54.200 this story 00:29:54.200 --> 00:29:55.080 is a picture 00:29:55.080 --> 00:29:55.700 of God's 00:29:55.700 --> 00:29:56.800 ultimate rescue 00:29:56.800 --> 00:29:57.740 and deliverance 00:29:57.740 --> 00:29:58.539 of his people 00:29:58.539 --> 00:30:00.180 through Jesus 00:30:00.180 --> 00:30:03.720 what's your 00:30:03.720 --> 00:30:04.140 story? 00:30:06.140 --> 00:30:06.880 Is it 00:30:06.880 --> 00:30:07.820 very 00:30:07.820 --> 00:30:08.539 very 00:30:08.539 --> 00:30:09.160 ordinary? 00:30:11.160 --> 00:30:11.800 Do you feel 00:30:11.800 --> 00:30:12.279 much less 00:30:12.279 --> 00:30:12.779 spiritual 00:30:12.779 --> 00:30:14.080 than Daniel? 00:30:14.079 --> 00:30:14.619 I do 00:30:14.619 --> 00:30:17.699 God hasn't 00:30:17.699 --> 00:30:18.259 called us 00:30:18.259 --> 00:30:18.859 to be 00:30:18.859 --> 00:30:19.720 extraordinary 00:30:19.720 --> 00:30:21.379 by definition 00:30:21.379 --> 00:30:22.279 most of us 00:30:22.279 --> 00:30:23.299 on most days 00:30:23.299 --> 00:30:24.439 will be very 00:30:24.439 --> 00:30:25.240 ordinary 00:30:25.240 --> 00:30:27.539 we feel that 00:30:27.539 --> 00:30:27.960 don't we? 00:30:28.460 --> 00:30:29.079 Sometimes it 00:30:29.079 --> 00:30:29.439 hurts 00:30:29.439 --> 00:30:32.019 but being 00:30:32.019 --> 00:30:32.839 extraordinary 00:30:32.839 --> 00:30:34.359 is his 00:30:34.359 --> 00:30:34.859 job 00:30:34.859 --> 00:30:36.740 not ours 00:30:36.740 --> 00:30:38.899 I think 00:30:38.899 --> 00:30:39.159 of the 00:30:39.159 --> 00:30:40.139 amazing things 00:30:40.139 --> 00:30:40.960 God does 00:30:40.960 --> 00:30:42.500 with ordinary 00:30:42.500 --> 00:30:43.360 faith 00:30:43.360 --> 00:30:44.240 and I 00:30:44.240 --> 00:30:44.940 think of 00:30:44.940 --> 00:30:45.259 the 00:30:45.259 --> 00:30:46.019 elderly 00:30:46.019 --> 00:30:46.460 church 00:30:46.460 --> 00:30:46.779 member 00:30:46.779 --> 00:30:47.140 who 00:30:47.140 --> 00:30:48.500 can't get 00:30:48.500 --> 00:30:48.960 out much 00:30:48.960 --> 00:30:49.380 anymore 00:30:49.380 --> 00:30:51.980 but trusts 00:30:51.980 --> 00:30:52.680 God for 00:30:52.680 --> 00:30:53.600 every breath 00:30:53.600 --> 00:30:54.779 wakes up 00:30:54.779 --> 00:30:56.240 and faithfully 00:30:56.240 --> 00:30:56.779 gets through 00:30:56.779 --> 00:30:57.279 the day 00:30:57.279 --> 00:30:58.360 with the only 00:30:58.360 --> 00:30:59.259 activity more 00:30:59.259 --> 00:31:00.100 consistent than 00:31:00.100 --> 00:31:01.100 doctor's appointments 00:31:01.100 --> 00:31:01.799 being 00:31:01.799 --> 00:31:03.160 prayer 00:31:03.160 --> 00:31:05.120 day 00:31:05.120 --> 00:31:06.440 after day 00:31:06.440 --> 00:31:07.980 after day 00:31:07.980 --> 00:31:09.779 ordinary 00:31:09.779 --> 00:31:10.420 faith 00:31:10.420 --> 00:31:11.580 and an 00:31:11.580 --> 00:31:12.019 extraordinary 00:31:12.019 --> 00:31:12.640 God 00:31:12.640 --> 00:31:13.759 who does 00:31:13.759 --> 00:31:14.299 miraculous 00:31:14.299 --> 00:31:15.220 things with 00:31:15.220 --> 00:31:16.320 those mundane 00:31:16.320 --> 00:31:17.299 prayers 00:31:17.299 --> 00:31:20.120 I think of 00:31:20.120 --> 00:31:20.400 the young 00:31:20.400 --> 00:31:21.160 single mom 00:31:21.160 --> 00:31:21.900 who works 00:31:21.900 --> 00:31:23.120 so hard 00:31:23.120 --> 00:31:24.200 and in the 00:31:24.200 --> 00:31:24.680 face of 00:31:24.680 --> 00:31:25.120 seemingly 00:31:25.120 --> 00:31:26.100 overwhelming 00:31:26.100 --> 00:31:27.059 daily 00:31:27.059 --> 00:31:27.840 struggles 00:31:27.840 --> 00:31:29.980 tells her 00:31:29.980 --> 00:31:30.660 kids the 00:31:30.660 --> 00:31:31.580 story about 00:31:31.580 --> 00:31:32.039 a great 00:31:32.039 --> 00:31:32.620 God who 00:31:32.620 --> 00:31:33.360 provides 00:31:33.360 --> 00:31:34.059 better than 00:31:34.059 --> 00:31:35.039 she can 00:31:35.039 --> 00:31:36.899 and then 00:31:36.899 --> 00:31:37.480 praise to 00:31:37.480 --> 00:31:38.039 that God 00:31:38.039 --> 00:31:38.480 for her 00:31:38.480 --> 00:31:38.919 kids 00:31:38.919 --> 00:31:39.559 over 00:31:39.559 --> 00:31:41.039 and over 00:31:41.039 --> 00:31:42.559 and over 00:31:42.559 --> 00:31:43.359 ordinary 00:31:43.359 --> 00:31:43.980 faith 00:31:43.980 --> 00:31:45.259 and an 00:31:45.259 --> 00:31:45.720 extraordinary 00:31:45.720 --> 00:31:46.679 God 00:31:46.679 --> 00:31:47.960 I think of 00:31:47.960 --> 00:31:48.359 the government 00:31:48.359 --> 00:31:49.279 engineer who 00:31:49.279 --> 00:31:50.299 goes to the 00:31:50.299 --> 00:31:51.179 same office 00:31:51.179 --> 00:31:52.359 every day 00:31:52.359 --> 00:31:52.720 for the 00:31:52.720 --> 00:31:53.779 28th year 00:31:53.779 --> 00:31:55.179 doing things 00:31:55.179 --> 00:31:55.579 that many 00:31:55.579 --> 00:31:56.240 days don't 00:31:56.240 --> 00:31:56.819 seem to 00:31:56.819 --> 00:31:57.460 matter at 00:31:57.460 --> 00:31:58.000 all 00:31:58.000 --> 00:31:58.839 and like 00:31:58.839 --> 00:31:59.720 Daniel most 00:31:59.720 --> 00:32:00.179 of those 00:32:00.179 --> 00:32:00.759 days not 00:32:00.759 --> 00:32:01.539 seeing any 00:32:01.539 --> 00:32:01.859 of the 00:32:01.859 --> 00:32:02.279 amazing 00:32:02.279 --> 00:32:02.980 things that 00:32:02.980 --> 00:32:03.379 God is 00:32:03.379 --> 00:32:03.659 doing 00:32:03.660 --> 00:32:04.480 no evidence 00:32:04.480 --> 00:32:04.900 of him 00:32:04.900 --> 00:32:05.460 at work 00:32:05.460 --> 00:32:06.519 at all 00:32:06.519 --> 00:32:08.779 but praying 00:32:08.779 --> 00:32:09.180 for his 00:32:09.180 --> 00:32:09.720 co-workers 00:32:09.720 --> 00:32:11.060 working 00:32:11.060 --> 00:32:11.740 faithfully 00:32:11.740 --> 00:32:13.300 sharing his 00:32:13.300 --> 00:32:14.100 struggles with 00:32:14.100 --> 00:32:14.940 them over 00:32:14.940 --> 00:32:15.360 and over 00:32:15.360 --> 00:32:15.800 even when 00:32:15.800 --> 00:32:16.320 they mock 00:32:16.320 --> 00:32:17.000 his trust 00:32:17.000 --> 00:32:17.640 in God 00:32:17.640 --> 00:32:20.460 ordinary 00:32:20.460 --> 00:32:21.140 faith in 00:32:21.140 --> 00:32:21.820 an extraordinary 00:32:21.820 --> 00:32:23.180 God 00:32:23.180 --> 00:32:24.920 I think of 00:32:24.920 --> 00:32:25.400 the blog 00:32:25.400 --> 00:32:26.140 many of you 00:32:26.140 --> 00:32:26.720 will have 00:32:26.720 --> 00:32:27.420 read 00:32:27.420 --> 00:32:28.500 a young 00:32:28.500 --> 00:32:29.019 mom 00:32:29.019 --> 00:32:30.400 and PCA 00:32:30.400 --> 00:32:31.019 pastor's 00:32:31.019 --> 00:32:31.759 wife named 00:32:31.759 --> 00:32:32.680 Kara Tippetts 00:32:32.680 --> 00:32:34.019 who died 00:32:34.019 --> 00:32:34.560 last year 00:32:34.560 --> 00:32:35.120 of cancer 00:32:35.120 --> 00:32:37.480 who through 00:32:37.480 --> 00:32:38.100 her blog 00:32:38.100 --> 00:32:38.560 which you 00:32:38.560 --> 00:32:38.960 may know 00:32:38.960 --> 00:32:39.820 as mundane 00:32:39.820 --> 00:32:41.360 faithfulness 00:32:41.360 --> 00:32:42.980 shared her 00:32:42.980 --> 00:32:43.740 story with 00:32:43.740 --> 00:32:44.680 thousands 00:32:44.680 --> 00:32:46.460 an honest 00:32:46.460 --> 00:32:47.240 story of 00:32:47.240 --> 00:32:47.759 weakness 00:32:47.759 --> 00:32:49.759 sickness 00:32:49.759 --> 00:32:51.060 struggles 00:32:51.060 --> 00:32:53.860 and faith 00:32:53.860 --> 00:32:54.340 in the midst 00:32:54.340 --> 00:32:55.080 of cancer 00:32:55.080 --> 00:32:56.259 in a God 00:32:56.259 --> 00:32:56.640 who would 00:32:56.640 --> 00:32:57.299 deliver her 00:32:57.299 --> 00:32:57.799 forever 00:32:57.799 --> 00:32:59.680 and care 00:32:59.680 --> 00:33:00.019 for her 00:33:00.019 --> 00:33:00.319 husband 00:33:00.319 --> 00:33:01.019 and kids 00:33:01.019 --> 00:33:02.299 when she 00:33:02.299 --> 00:33:02.839 was gone 00:33:02.839 --> 00:33:06.279 I think of 00:33:06.279 --> 00:33:06.559 the letter 00:33:06.559 --> 00:33:06.960 one of our 00:33:06.960 --> 00:33:07.639 members sent 00:33:07.639 --> 00:33:08.339 to co-workers 00:33:08.339 --> 00:33:09.000 this week 00:33:09.000 --> 00:33:11.200 after getting 00:33:11.200 --> 00:33:11.700 transferred 00:33:11.700 --> 00:33:12.259 at work 00:33:12.259 --> 00:33:13.799 it begins 00:33:13.799 --> 00:33:14.319 this way 00:33:14.319 --> 00:33:17.259 someday 00:33:17.259 --> 00:33:17.819 everything 00:33:17.819 --> 00:33:18.359 will make 00:33:18.359 --> 00:33:19.319 perfect sense 00:33:19.319 --> 00:33:21.079 so for now 00:33:21.079 --> 00:33:21.759 laugh at the 00:33:21.759 --> 00:33:22.299 confusion 00:33:22.299 --> 00:33:23.839 smile through 00:33:23.839 --> 00:33:24.399 the tears 00:33:24.399 --> 00:33:24.879 and keep 00:33:24.879 --> 00:33:25.740 reminding yourself 00:33:25.740 --> 00:33:26.819 everything happens 00:33:26.819 --> 00:33:27.519 for a reason 00:33:27.519 --> 00:33:29.920 my life has 00:33:29.920 --> 00:33:30.480 always brought 00:33:30.480 --> 00:33:31.180 change at 00:33:31.180 --> 00:33:32.440 inopportune times 00:33:32.440 --> 00:33:33.339 that don't line 00:33:33.339 --> 00:33:34.160 up with what I 00:33:34.160 --> 00:33:34.660 think should 00:33:34.660 --> 00:33:35.039 happen 00:33:35.039 --> 00:33:37.180 the Lord does 00:33:37.180 --> 00:33:37.920 that for me 00:33:37.920 --> 00:33:39.519 to teach me to 00:33:39.519 --> 00:33:40.120 trust him 00:33:40.120 --> 00:33:41.339 on a deeper 00:33:41.339 --> 00:33:41.819 level 00:33:41.819 --> 00:33:47.620 pretty ordinary 00:33:47.620 --> 00:33:48.160 people 00:33:48.160 --> 00:33:50.539 telling the 00:33:50.539 --> 00:33:50.819 story 00:33:50.819 --> 00:33:51.379 story 00:33:51.379 --> 00:33:51.859 of an 00:33:51.859 --> 00:33:52.399 extraordinary 00:33:52.399 --> 00:33:52.899 God 00:33:52.899 --> 00:33:53.179 who is 00:33:53.179 --> 00:33:53.460 worthy 00:33:53.460 --> 00:33:53.859 of their 00:33:53.859 --> 00:33:54.500 trust 00:33:54.500 --> 00:33:56.039 in some 00:33:56.039 --> 00:33:57.019 tough 00:33:57.019 --> 00:33:58.639 times 00:33:58.639 --> 00:34:00.480 just like 00:34:00.480 --> 00:34:00.879 Daniel 00:34:00.879 --> 00:34:01.379 I think 00:34:01.379 --> 00:34:01.960 making the 00:34:01.960 --> 00:34:02.919 hall of fame 00:34:02.919 --> 00:34:03.759 of faith 00:34:03.759 --> 00:34:05.099 alongside 00:34:05.099 --> 00:34:05.859 Daniel 00:34:05.859 --> 00:34:06.720 because that's 00:34:06.720 --> 00:34:07.819 all he did 00:34:07.819 --> 00:34:08.739 isn't it 00:34:08.739 --> 00:34:10.380 faithful 00:34:10.380 --> 00:34:11.299 in work 00:34:11.299 --> 00:34:13.340 faithful 00:34:13.340 --> 00:34:14.119 in prayer 00:34:14.119 --> 00:34:15.980 faithful 00:34:15.980 --> 00:34:17.059 in crisis 00:34:17.059 --> 00:34:18.599 watching 00:34:18.599 --> 00:34:19.279 God 00:34:19.279 --> 00:34:19.739 do the 00:34:19.739 --> 00:34:20.719 extraordinary 00:34:20.719 --> 00:34:22.679 all 00:34:22.679 --> 00:34:23.279 peoples 00:34:23.279 --> 00:34:23.859 nations 00:34:23.859 --> 00:34:24.699 and languages 00:34:24.699 --> 00:34:25.719 need to 00:34:25.719 --> 00:34:26.279 hear the 00:34:26.279 --> 00:34:26.759 story 00:34:26.759 --> 00:34:27.219 of this 00:34:27.219 --> 00:34:27.779 delivering 00:34:27.779 --> 00:34:28.399 God 00:34:28.399 --> 00:34:29.179 that's 00:34:29.179 --> 00:34:29.779 the story 00:34:29.779 --> 00:34:30.359 that is 00:34:30.359 --> 00:34:31.219 your story 00:34:31.219 --> 00:34:31.939 just like 00:34:31.939 --> 00:34:32.519 it's the 00:34:32.519 --> 00:34:32.819 story 00:34:32.819 --> 00:34:33.099 that's 00:34:33.099 --> 00:34:33.739 Daniel's 00:34:33.739 --> 00:34:34.500 story 00:34:34.500 --> 00:34:35.579 will you 00:34:35.579 --> 00:34:36.119 tell that 00:34:36.119 --> 00:34:36.579 story 00:34:36.579 --> 00:34:36.979 of how 00:34:36.979 --> 00:34:37.339 he has 00:34:37.339 --> 00:34:37.819 rescued 00:34:37.819 --> 00:34:38.339 you 00:34:38.339 --> 00:34:38.899 through 00:34:38.899 --> 00:34:39.459 Jesus 00:34:39.459 --> 00:34:40.159 of how 00:34:40.159 --> 00:34:40.339 he 00:34:40.339 --> 00:34:40.859 delivered 00:34:40.859 --> 00:34:41.219 you 00:34:41.219 --> 00:34:41.500 from 00:34:41.500 --> 00:34:41.719 your 00:34:41.719 --> 00:34:42.259 most 00:34:42.259 --> 00:34:42.939 desperate 00:34:42.939 --> 00:34:43.519 crisis 00:34:43.519 --> 00:34:44.379 and your 00:34:44.379 --> 00:34:44.979 greatest 00:34:44.979 --> 00:34:45.759 enemies 00:34:45.759 --> 00:34:46.759 how he 00:34:46.759 --> 00:34:47.259 endured 00:34:47.259 --> 00:34:48.099 the cross 00:34:48.099 --> 00:34:48.739 for you 00:34:48.739 --> 00:34:49.459 and you 00:34:49.459 --> 00:34:49.839 just 00:34:49.839 --> 00:34:50.559 entrusted 00:34:50.559 --> 00:34:51.099 yourself 00:34:51.099 --> 00:34:51.699 to him 00:34:51.699 --> 00:34:52.439 that's 00:34:52.439 --> 00:34:52.959 the story 00:34:52.959 --> 00:34:54.039 isn't it 00:34:54.039 --> 00:34:55.399 he did 00:34:55.399 --> 00:34:55.979 the amazing 00:34:55.979 --> 00:34:56.399 work 00:34:56.399 --> 00:34:56.919 you just 00:34:56.919 --> 00:34:57.579 entrusted 00:34:57.579 --> 00:34:58.899 yourself 00:34:58.899 --> 00:35:00.319 to him 00:35:00.319 --> 00:35:04.799 I don't 00:35:04.799 --> 00:35:05.379 think one 00:35:05.379 --> 00:35:06.119 ordinary 00:35:06.119 --> 00:35:06.899 housewife 00:35:06.899 --> 00:35:07.299 in the 00:35:07.299 --> 00:35:08.299 1700s 00:35:08.299 --> 00:35:08.879 in England 00:35:08.879 --> 00:35:09.799 could have 00:35:09.799 --> 00:35:10.359 foreseen 00:35:10.359 --> 00:35:11.539 how she 00:35:11.539 --> 00:35:12.000 would tell 00:35:12.000 --> 00:35:12.699 that story 00:35:12.699 --> 00:35:13.519 to peoples 00:35:13.519 --> 00:35:14.519 and nations 00:35:14.519 --> 00:35:16.099 and languages 00:35:16.099 --> 00:35:18.460 she was 00:35:18.460 --> 00:35:19.500 the 25th 00:35:19.500 --> 00:35:20.380 of 25 00:35:20.380 --> 00:35:21.079 children 00:35:21.079 --> 00:35:21.519 in her 00:35:21.519 --> 00:35:21.980 family 00:35:21.980 --> 00:35:24.119 that wasn't 00:35:24.119 --> 00:35:24.619 hard enough 00:35:24.619 --> 00:35:24.920 she had 00:35:24.920 --> 00:35:25.539 19 00:35:25.539 --> 00:35:26.000 children 00:35:26.000 --> 00:35:26.360 of her 00:35:26.360 --> 00:35:26.679 own 00:35:26.679 --> 00:35:28.619 only 00:35:28.619 --> 00:35:29.079 10 00:35:29.079 --> 00:35:29.639 of those 00:35:29.639 --> 00:35:30.039 however 00:35:30.039 --> 00:35:30.960 survived 00:35:30.960 --> 00:35:31.980 infancy 00:35:31.980 --> 00:35:33.159 she 00:35:33.159 --> 00:35:33.699 buried 00:35:33.699 --> 00:35:34.440 11 00:35:34.440 --> 00:35:35.300 children 00:35:35.300 --> 00:35:35.719 in her 00:35:35.719 --> 00:35:36.079 life 00:35:36.079 --> 00:35:38.099 her 00:35:38.099 --> 00:35:38.380 husband 00:35:38.380 --> 00:35:38.900 left her 00:35:38.900 --> 00:35:39.280 for a 00:35:39.280 --> 00:35:39.579 season 00:35:39.579 --> 00:35:40.980 and she 00:35:40.980 --> 00:35:41.519 raised the 00:35:41.519 --> 00:35:41.800 others 00:35:41.800 --> 00:35:42.239 alone 00:35:42.239 --> 00:35:42.579 then 00:35:42.579 --> 00:35:42.860 during 00:35:42.860 --> 00:35:43.099 that 00:35:43.099 --> 00:35:43.460 time 00:35:43.460 --> 00:35:43.720 she 00:35:43.720 --> 00:35:44.160 faced 00:35:44.160 --> 00:35:44.740 poverty 00:35:44.740 --> 00:35:45.599 constantly 00:35:45.599 --> 00:35:47.720 sickness 00:35:47.720 --> 00:35:48.460 often 00:35:48.460 --> 00:35:50.200 and tragedy 00:35:50.200 --> 00:35:50.980 regularly 00:35:50.980 --> 00:35:53.160 but she 00:35:53.160 --> 00:35:53.620 told her 00:35:53.620 --> 00:35:53.960 children 00:35:53.960 --> 00:35:54.400 about 00:35:54.400 --> 00:35:54.860 God 00:35:54.860 --> 00:35:56.640 and changed 00:35:56.640 --> 00:35:57.039 diapers 00:35:57.039 --> 00:35:59.059 and prayed 00:35:59.059 --> 00:35:59.539 for them 00:35:59.539 --> 00:36:01.519 and made 00:36:01.519 --> 00:36:01.920 meals 00:36:01.920 --> 00:36:03.000 and prayed 00:36:03.000 --> 00:36:03.460 for them 00:36:03.460 --> 00:36:05.240 and cleaned 00:36:05.240 --> 00:36:05.780 the house 00:36:05.780 --> 00:36:07.460 and prayed 00:36:07.460 --> 00:36:07.920 for them 00:36:07.920 --> 00:36:09.559 she hardly 00:36:09.559 --> 00:36:10.280 had time 00:36:10.280 --> 00:36:10.960 for praying 00:36:10.960 --> 00:36:11.720 to be honest 00:36:11.720 --> 00:36:12.500 but they 00:36:12.500 --> 00:36:13.219 would find 00:36:13.219 --> 00:36:13.500 her 00:36:13.500 --> 00:36:14.019 all the 00:36:14.019 --> 00:36:14.400 time 00:36:14.400 --> 00:36:15.219 with her 00:36:15.219 --> 00:36:15.639 apron 00:36:15.639 --> 00:36:16.360 thrown up 00:36:16.360 --> 00:36:16.880 over her 00:36:16.880 --> 00:36:17.300 head 00:36:17.300 --> 00:36:18.880 and they 00:36:18.880 --> 00:36:19.199 knew not 00:36:19.199 --> 00:36:19.760 to interrupt 00:36:19.760 --> 00:36:20.800 that was 00:36:20.800 --> 00:36:21.199 the way 00:36:21.199 --> 00:36:21.699 she got 00:36:21.699 --> 00:36:22.760 private time 00:36:22.760 --> 00:36:23.400 with God 00:36:23.400 --> 00:36:24.099 throwing her 00:36:24.099 --> 00:36:24.380 apron 00:36:24.380 --> 00:36:24.860 over her 00:36:24.860 --> 00:36:25.039 head 00:36:25.039 --> 00:36:25.539 and talking 00:36:25.539 --> 00:36:26.280 with him 00:36:26.280 --> 00:36:27.219 for a while 00:36:27.219 --> 00:36:27.820 they knew 00:36:27.820 --> 00:36:28.139 who she 00:36:28.139 --> 00:36:28.619 was talking 00:36:28.619 --> 00:36:29.159 to and they 00:36:29.159 --> 00:36:29.440 knew she 00:36:29.440 --> 00:36:29.900 was probably 00:36:29.900 --> 00:36:30.539 talking to 00:36:30.539 --> 00:36:30.820 God 00:36:30.820 --> 00:36:31.599 about them 00:36:31.599 --> 00:36:33.320 and they 00:36:33.320 --> 00:36:33.579 waited 00:36:33.579 --> 00:36:34.420 until she 00:36:34.420 --> 00:36:35.000 was finished 00:36:35.000 --> 00:36:36.699 she never 00:36:36.699 --> 00:36:37.480 did anything 00:36:37.480 --> 00:36:37.960 the world 00:36:37.960 --> 00:36:38.480 would call 00:36:38.480 --> 00:36:39.239 extraordinary 00:36:39.239 --> 00:36:40.779 never 00:36:40.779 --> 00:36:41.219 published 00:36:41.219 --> 00:36:41.619 a book 00:36:41.619 --> 00:36:42.739 never 00:36:42.739 --> 00:36:43.179 made 00:36:43.179 --> 00:36:43.739 a fortune 00:36:43.739 --> 00:36:45.959 but 00:36:45.959 --> 00:36:46.359 Susanna 00:36:46.359 --> 00:36:46.799 Wesley 00:36:46.799 --> 00:36:47.579 is called 00:36:47.579 --> 00:36:48.099 the mother 00:36:48.099 --> 00:36:49.019 of Methodism 00:36:49.019 --> 00:36:50.659 two of 00:36:50.659 --> 00:36:51.000 those 00:36:51.000 --> 00:36:51.799 19 00:36:51.799 --> 00:36:52.319 kids 00:36:52.319 --> 00:36:52.799 John 00:36:52.799 --> 00:36:53.039 and 00:36:53.039 --> 00:36:53.559 Charles 00:36:53.559 --> 00:36:54.159 Wesley 00:36:54.159 --> 00:36:54.699 began 00:36:54.699 --> 00:36:55.419 the Christian 00:36:55.419 --> 00:36:55.919 movement 00:36:55.919 --> 00:36:56.399 that has 00:36:56.399 --> 00:36:57.000 told the 00:36:57.000 --> 00:36:57.459 story 00:36:57.459 --> 00:36:58.119 of a 00:36:58.119 --> 00:36:58.479 great 00:36:58.479 --> 00:36:58.879 God 00:36:58.879 --> 00:36:59.279 who does 00:36:59.279 --> 00:37:00.119 extraordinary 00:37:00.119 --> 00:37:00.759 things 00:37:00.759 --> 00:37:01.479 for ordinary 00:37:01.479 --> 00:37:02.059 people 00:37:02.059 --> 00:37:03.879 to millions 00:37:03.879 --> 00:37:05.359 upon millions 00:37:05.360 --> 00:37:06.680 around the 00:37:06.680 --> 00:37:07.039 world 00:37:07.039 --> 00:37:08.680 you know 00:37:08.680 --> 00:37:09.160 what story 00:37:09.160 --> 00:37:09.640 they told 00:37:09.640 --> 00:37:12.380 they told 00:37:12.380 --> 00:37:12.880 the story 00:37:12.880 --> 00:37:13.200 that they 00:37:13.200 --> 00:37:13.579 heard 00:37:13.579 --> 00:37:14.519 from their 00:37:14.519 --> 00:37:14.880 mom 00:37:14.880 --> 00:37:17.480 they told 00:37:17.480 --> 00:37:18.000 the story 00:37:18.000 --> 00:37:18.340 of 00:37:18.340 --> 00:37:19.640 praying 00:37:19.640 --> 00:37:21.320 all the 00:37:21.320 --> 00:37:21.640 time 00:37:21.640 --> 00:37:22.880 in the 00:37:22.880 --> 00:37:23.160 midst of 00:37:23.160 --> 00:37:23.620 everything 00:37:23.620 --> 00:37:25.340 and a 00:37:25.340 --> 00:37:25.620 God who 00:37:25.620 --> 00:37:25.840 could be 00:37:25.840 --> 00:37:26.220 trusted 00:37:26.220 --> 00:37:26.760 who would 00:37:26.760 --> 00:37:27.579 listen 00:37:27.579 --> 00:37:28.200 and act 00:37:28.200 --> 00:37:29.320 she didn't 00:37:29.320 --> 00:37:29.680 get to 00:37:29.680 --> 00:37:30.200 see the 00:37:30.200 --> 00:37:30.680 millions 00:37:30.680 --> 00:37:31.220 God 00:37:31.220 --> 00:37:31.800 used her 00:37:31.800 --> 00:37:32.240 story 00:37:32.240 --> 00:37:33.120 to impact 00:37:33.120 --> 00:37:33.620 but you 00:37:33.620 --> 00:37:33.740 know 00:37:33.740 --> 00:37:34.200 neither did 00:37:34.200 --> 00:37:34.539 Daniel 00:37:34.539 --> 00:37:36.960 not during 00:37:36.960 --> 00:37:37.159 their 00:37:37.159 --> 00:37:37.639 ordinary 00:37:37.639 --> 00:37:38.360 lives 00:37:38.360 --> 00:37:39.440 on this 00:37:39.440 --> 00:37:39.739 earth 00:37:39.739 --> 00:37:41.739 but God 00:37:41.739 --> 00:37:42.119 worked 00:37:42.119 --> 00:37:43.460 he worked 00:37:43.460 --> 00:37:44.119 in extraordinary 00:37:44.119 --> 00:37:44.719 ways 00:37:44.719 --> 00:37:46.219 we serve 00:37:46.219 --> 00:37:47.000 an 00:37:47.000 --> 00:37:47.940 extraordinary 00:37:47.940 --> 00:37:48.699 God 00:37:48.699 --> 00:37:50.119 in very 00:37:50.119 --> 00:37:50.599 ordinary 00:37:50.599 --> 00:37:51.300 ways 00:37:51.300 --> 00:37:52.099 most days 00:37:52.099 --> 00:37:54.539 when we 00:37:54.539 --> 00:37:55.219 face lions 00:37:55.219 --> 00:37:58.079 when we 00:37:58.079 --> 00:37:58.340 go to 00:37:58.340 --> 00:37:58.579 work 00:37:58.579 --> 00:37:58.960 tomorrow 00:37:58.960 --> 00:37:59.360 morning 00:37:59.360 --> 00:38:01.360 when we 00:38:01.360 --> 00:38:01.699 kneel 00:38:01.699 --> 00:38:02.500 to pray 00:38:02.500 --> 00:38:02.980 tonight 00:38:02.980 --> 00:38:04.679 may 00:38:04.679 --> 00:38:04.920 that 00:38:04.920 --> 00:38:05.400 reality 00:38:05.400 --> 00:38:06.019 give us 00:38:06.019 --> 00:38:06.480 great 00:38:06.480 --> 00:38:06.900 hope 00:38:06.900 --> 00:38:07.659 let's 00:38:07.659 --> 00:38:07.920 pray 00:38:07.920 --> 00:38:13.440 father 00:38:13.440 --> 00:38:13.860 that you 00:38:13.860 --> 00:38:14.500 listen to 00:38:14.500 --> 00:38:14.719 our 00:38:14.719 --> 00:38:15.300 prayers 00:38:15.300 --> 00:38:16.480 that you 00:38:16.480 --> 00:38:17.320 care about 00:38:17.320 --> 00:38:17.940 our lives 00:38:17.940 --> 00:38:18.400 that you 00:38:18.400 --> 00:38:19.039 act 00:38:19.039 --> 00:38:19.900 on our 00:38:19.900 --> 00:38:20.440 behalf 00:38:20.440 --> 00:38:21.219 that you 00:38:21.219 --> 00:38:21.559 are the 00:38:21.559 --> 00:38:21.940 one on 00:38:21.940 --> 00:38:22.380 the throne 00:38:22.380 --> 00:38:22.860 today 00:38:22.860 --> 00:38:24.260 is our 00:38:24.260 --> 00:38:24.619 only 00:38:24.619 --> 00:38:25.139 comfort 00:38:25.139 --> 00:38:26.840 that there 00:38:26.840 --> 00:38:27.199 is a 00:38:27.199 --> 00:38:27.460 hope 00:38:27.460 --> 00:38:28.139 because of 00:38:28.139 --> 00:38:28.619 that for 00:38:28.619 --> 00:38:29.360 the future 00:38:29.360 --> 00:38:29.940 is a 00:38:29.940 --> 00:38:30.840 great gift 00:38:30.840 --> 00:38:31.200 of your 00:38:31.200 --> 00:38:31.640 grace 00:38:31.640 --> 00:38:32.320 to us 00:38:32.320 --> 00:38:34.680 that in 00:38:34.680 --> 00:38:34.920 sending 00:38:34.920 --> 00:38:35.640 your son 00:38:35.640 --> 00:38:37.480 you have 00:38:37.480 --> 00:38:38.539 rescued us 00:38:38.539 --> 00:38:39.720 forever 00:38:39.720 --> 00:38:42.200 thank you 00:38:42.200 --> 00:38:43.740 give us 00:38:43.740 --> 00:38:44.260 hearts to 00:38:44.260 --> 00:38:45.000 trust you 00:38:45.000 --> 00:38:47.019 give us 00:38:47.019 --> 00:38:47.519 hearts that 00:38:47.519 --> 00:38:48.180 trust you 00:38:48.180 --> 00:38:49.440 while we do 00:38:49.440 --> 00:38:50.059 very ordinary 00:38:50.059 --> 00:38:50.720 things 00:38:50.720 --> 00:38:52.600 while we do 00:38:52.600 --> 00:38:53.380 things that we 00:38:53.380 --> 00:38:53.860 wish were 00:38:53.860 --> 00:38:54.320 greater 00:38:54.320 --> 00:38:55.920 and gained 00:38:55.920 --> 00:38:56.920 more notoriety 00:38:56.920 --> 00:38:57.900 and fame 00:38:57.900 --> 00:38:59.200 for ourselves 00:38:59.200 --> 00:39:01.440 give us 00:39:01.440 --> 00:39:01.980 hearts that 00:39:01.980 --> 00:39:02.579 are delighted 00:39:02.579 --> 00:39:03.000 for you 00:39:03.000 --> 00:39:03.400 to be the 00:39:03.400 --> 00:39:03.860 one that 00:39:03.860 --> 00:39:04.559 gets all 00:39:04.559 --> 00:39:05.280 the headlines 00:39:05.280 --> 00:39:08.200 whose glory 00:39:08.200 --> 00:39:08.960 is promoted 00:39:08.960 --> 00:39:09.539 ahead of 00:39:09.539 --> 00:39:09.980 ours 00:39:09.980 --> 00:39:12.559 Jesus 00:39:12.559 --> 00:39:13.300 meet us 00:39:13.300 --> 00:39:15.160 and remind 00:39:15.160 --> 00:39:15.780 us that you're 00:39:15.780 --> 00:39:16.300 working in 00:39:16.300 --> 00:39:17.139 great ways 00:39:17.139 --> 00:39:17.760 right where 00:39:17.760 --> 00:39:18.220 we are 00:39:18.220 --> 00:39:19.720 we give you 00:39:19.720 --> 00:39:20.180 thanks for 00:39:20.180 --> 00:39:20.480 that 00:39:20.480 --> 00:39:21.360 amen 00:39:21.360 --> 00:39:26.019 for more 00:39:26.019 --> 00:39:26.539 information 00:39:26.539 --> 00:39:27.340 visit us 00:39:27.340 --> 00:39:27.840 online 00:39:27.840 --> 00:39:28.240 at 00:39:28.240 --> 00:39:29.140 southwood.org