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Part 3 Lessons From Daniel

Lessons From Daniel Part 3

Therefore, as soon as they heard the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp and all kinds of music, all the nations and peoples of every language fell down and worshiped the image of gold that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up.
At this time some astrologers[a] came forward and denounced the Jews. They said to King Nebuchadnezzar, “May the king live forever! 10 Your Majesty has issued a decree that everyone who hears the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe and all kinds of music must fall down and worship the image of gold, 11 and that whoever does not fall down and worship will be thrown into a blazing furnace. 12 But there are some Jews whom you have set over the affairs of the province of Babylon—Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego—who pay no attention to you, Your Majesty. They neither serve your gods nor worship the image of gold you have set up.”
13 Furious with rage, Nebuchadnezzar summoned Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. So these men were brought before the king, 14 and Nebuchadnezzar said to them, “Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the image of gold I have set up? 
1Now when you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe and all kinds of music, if you are ready to fall down and worship the image I made, very good. But if you do not worship it, you will be thrown immediately into a blazing furnace. Then what god will be able to rescue you from my hand?”
16 Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to him, “King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter.

In the 3rd chapter of Daniel we read that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up a golden image, that he wanted everyone to bow down to and worship.  Anyone who would not worship this golden image, would be thrown into a fiery furnace.   In verse 7 it says that,  all the nations and peoples from every language fell down and worshiped the golden image.

At some point however,  it was brought to the king’s attention that some of the Jews were not bowing down to worship the golden image.  The three that would not be obedient to the Kings decree were Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego.  These three have been referred to as the three Hebrew boys.

These three young men were very resolute in their commitment to God.  They knew that the consequences of not bowing down and worshiping the golden image, would more than likely mean death.  After all who survives a fiery furnace?    That being said, they were still not willing to compromise what they knew to be right, even if the cost was death. They knew that to worship a false god was definitely a violation of what they knew to be true.  They knew that there was only one all powerful and mighty God, and he was not created by the hands of man.   

They also knew that their God was more powerful than King Nebuchadnezzar or the fiery furnace, and that if their God so chose to, He could save them.   What I love about this is that, whether God chose to save them or not they were ok with His will for their lives.  They were choosing to be faithful no matter the cost. They were trusting God with their present and their future.  They demonstrated a remarkable faith in their great God.  Their faith reminded me of this scripture from Job 13:15

Because they were human I feel very sure that they were probably afraid, but they didn’t let their fear overrule their commitment to God.  They did not buckle under the pressure of fear. They remained resolute in their conviction to serve and honor God by being faithful to Him even unto the end. Habakkuk 3:16-19.

A few lessons that we can learn from the three Hebrew boys:
1.  Our commitment to God supersedes any trial or challenge that we will ever have to face in this life.. 
2.  When we are resolute in our commitment to God, He will give us the strength to weather our storms.
3.  We must always stand up for what we know is right even if it is not popular with the masses.
4. Always be ok with whatever God’s will is for your life. He knows what is best.
5. Trust that there is nothing and no one more powerful than the awesome God that we serve. 

Lessons From Daniel Part 2 

Lessons From Daniel Part 2 

Have you ever been guilty of praying and asking God to help you through a situation, and then when it was over, you forgot to say thank you?   Well, sadly I must admit, that I have been guilty of doing this.   I usually make it a habit to thank God for answered prayers, but there have been times in the past when life happened, and I simply forgot to hit pause and say thank you.  For years now, I have been keeping a daily gratitude journal, and that has helped me a lot in remembering to say thank you.  Let’s take a look at how Daniel handled a very difficult situation, and how he responded to an answered prayer from God.

In Daniel 2:10-23, we read that Daniel’s very life was in jeopardy.  King Nebuchadnezzar had sent out a decree in his anger, to have Daniel and his friends killed. This was because he was told by his astrologers, that no one on earth could interpret his dream.  Not only was Daniel willing to go directly to the king and ask why he had made such a decree, but he was also courageous enough to request more time to interpret the king’s dream. I love that in verse 16 it says; that Daniel went at once.  Daniel knew that time was of the essence.  He did not procrastinate.  He moved with a sense of urgency.   But even more importantly he went back to his friends and urged them to pray, that God would have mercy on them and reveal what the meaning of the dream was.

Daniel believed in the power of prayer.  He also believed there was great power when he and his friends were unified in their petition to God.  He had faith that his God would and could protect his life and that of his friends.

That very night after they went to God in prayer, God revealed the meaning of the king’s dream.   In most cases, our prayers are not answered so quickly, but I hope that you know, that whenever God chooses to answer your prayer request, it will be right on time.  In this case, Daniel needed an answer quickly, and God provided quickly.

In Daniel 2:19 -23,  Daniel thanks God, and he gives Him all the praise for revealing the answer to the king’s dream.  Daniel was very clear on who His source was, for all that was good and true in his life.  He didn’t wait to acknowledge God. He praised and gave God His just due immediately.   Daniel expressed His gratitude to God, for giving him the lifesaving answer.

Now for a quick recap on what our lessons are from this passage of scripture.

1.  Daniel asked God for help.  Always go to God first.  Pray Pray Pray!   Obviously, this was not Daniel’s first rodeo. He had communicated with God through prayer before.

2.  Daniel was not afraid to ask others to pray.  He did not try to shoulder the weight of this problem by himself.  Don’t be afraid, or embarrassed to ask others to pray for you.   Remember, there is power where two or more agree in
prayer.  Matthew 18:19.

3.  Daniel moved with a sense of urgency.  When matters are important, don’t procrastinate.  Taking care of important things in a timely manner frees your mind from stress and the What If’s.

4.  Daniel didn’t assume anything, he went directly to the king to ask the questions that he needed answers to.  Don’t be afraid to ask what you want and need to know.

5.   When Daniel received his answer from God, he thanked God and gave Him praise and glory.   He did not try to assume God’s glory or take credit for knowing the meaning of the dream.  Daniel remained humble.
Remember all that you are or will ever hope to be is from God.   Apart from Him, you can do absolutely nothing.  Follow Daniel’s example and stay humble my friends, stay humble!

 

Lessons From The Book Of Daniel Part 1

Lessons From The Book Of Daniel Part 1

Daniel 1:9
Now God had given the chief of staff both respect and affection for Daniel.
Daniel 1:17
17 God gave these four young men an unusual aptitude for understanding every aspect of literature and wisdom. And God gave Daniel the special ability to interpret the meanings of visions and dreams.
Daniel 2:21
21 He controls the course of world events; he removes kings and sets up other kings.
He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the scholars.
Hebrews 13:20-21
20 Now may the God of peace—  who brought up from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great Shepherd of the sheep, and ratified an eternal covenant with his blood—
21 may he equip you with all you need for doing his will.
May he produce in you,[a through the power of Jesus Christ, every good thing that is pleasing to him. All glory to him forever and ever! Amen.

One of my favorite books of the Bible is the book of Daniel.   It is packed full of rich nuggets that you can just chew on for days.  There are so many life lessons in the book of Daniel that are applicable to all of us who want to live a life that truly honors God. And because there are so many lessons, this will be part one of a series that I will be writing on lessons from the book of Daniel.
Daniel truly teaches us how to walk by faith, trusting God each step of the way, no matter how perilous the journey is.  But before we look at Daniel I want us to look at God.

God never ceases to amaze me!   Remember, whenever God wants to use you mightily, He goes before you.  He paves the way, and he carves the path.  There are several examples of this in the Bible.

He went before Moses, first of all, by setting the stage for him to be rescued by Pharaoh’s daughter.  Who would have known that this little baby Moses, would grow up and become the man who would lead God’s chosen people?  Guess what?
God knew!

He went before Joseph.   What others meant for harm, God used for good.  He set Joseph up to become second in command to Pharaoh and put him in charge of all of Egypt.  Even though his brothers tried to kill him by maliciously throwing him into a well.
God had a plan.

Who knew God would use a little shepherd boy, named David to slay a giant and later would appoint him king of Israel.  He would also be a part of the lineage of the Messiah.   Only God could orchestrate such a thing!

You see even before we know what significant things we will be called to do for God, He has already gone before us.  Sometimes He has gone ahead of our years in advance.  He is guiding and directing us when we don’t even know that we are being guided.

Daniel was actually in Babylonian captivity when he comes on the scene, but God had a plan.  He had already given Daniel everything he needed to fulfill the plan.  Let’s take a look at the ways that God equipped and empowered Daniel ahead of time to be prepared to fulfill his mission.

1. In Daniel 1:9 it says that God had given the chief of staff both respect and affection for Daniel.  Can you say favor!
2. In Daniel 1:17 says that God gave Daniel an unusual aptitude for understanding every aspect of literature and wisdom.
3.  God gave Daniel the special ability to interpret the meaning of visions and dreams.
4. God had given Daniel an unusual amount of courage and faith.
Reading about these four ways in which God equipped and prepared Daniel ahead of time, should encourage you to recheck your treasure chest of gifts, talents, and other special abilities.  Remember, whatever you’re special abilities are, it’s not by happenstance that they have been given to you.  It is for a purpose much larger than anything that you could ever imagine. Whatever God calls you to, be encouraged, you have already been equipped for.

Take a moment to stop and praise God, for all that He wants to do through you. Don’t be afraid to submit to his will, simply trust and obey, and you will achieve things that are only possible by His divine intervention.
The power will be His and yes, the glory will be His also.
Deuteronomy 31:8
Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you.”
Isaiah 52:12
12 You will not leave in a hurry, running for your lives.
For the Lord will go ahead of you; yes, the God of Israel will protect you from behind.
Deuteronomy 1:30
30 The Lord your God is going ahead of you. He will fight for you, just as you saw him do in Egypt.