Where Do I Find Help This Coming Year? – A Look At Faithfulness
INTRO: Last week I talked about friendship and how it can help our lives. I spent time looking at Moses and how the Lord had friendships al through his life to help him along the way. This week I want to spend some time looking at Daniel. Daniel could be listed as having several god traits. Most see his traits including his self-control, undaunted courage, constant integrity, unceasing prayerfulness, native humility, and spiritual vision. Today, I want to grab his faithfulness. If we want to make a difference, have a better life, touch others in this coming year, then we need faithfulness.
Daniel was faithful to the Lord and made a great difference in other’s lives.
First, as we look in the book of Daniel, we can see in the first seven verses…
God’s people are not always exempt from problems of the effects of sin
2 Kings 23:26 KJV Notwithstanding the LORD turned not from the fierceness of his great wrath, wherewith his anger was kindled against Judah, because of all the provocations that Manasseh had provoked him withal.
King Jehoiakim was paying for his great-grandfather’s sins and shedding of innocent blood. Manasseh – Amon – Josiah – Eliakim (Jehoiakim)
Manasseh was the son of Hezekiah
Started his reign at twelve years old
Taken prisoner to Babylon for twelve years in his 23rd year of his reign
Turned to God during his capture
Sought to undo the wrongs of his past
Reigned 55 years (longest of Judah)
He hated the first two commandments and reversed his father’s reforms (idolatry)
He was immoral - Idolatry and immorality go hand in hand (today as well?) We can see those who deny God and run after false “gods” are often the most vile of sinners
He persecuted those who resisted idolatry
He destroyed (almost completely) God’s Word wherever he could
Yet he in his affliction turned to God – should we need the same affliction in our lives? God heard and answered him.
God forgave him, yet he fell short of “cleaning house” entirely
He allowed the high places of idolatry to remain
It was Manasseh’s sins that cost Jehoiakim (initially)
We can only blame others to a point – not that is an excuse
Scriptures says, “…all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” - Rom. 3:23
Not only did Jehoiakim pay a price, but the…
Nation of Judah also paid a cost.
Daniel
1:2-3 KJV 2And the Lord gave Jehoiakim
king of Judah into his hand, with part of the vessels of the house of God:
which he carried into the land of Shinar to the house of his god; and he
brought the vessels into the treasure house of his god.
3And the king spake unto Ashpenaz the master of his eunuchs, that he should bring certain
of the children of Israel, and of the king’s seed, and of the princes;
And…
Judah’s best paid a cost as well
Daniel was 15 when taken captive
Daniel
1:4-7 KJV 4Children in whom was no blemish, but well favoured, and skilful in all wisdom,
and cunning in knowledge, and understanding science, and such as had
ability in them to stand in the king’s palace, and whom they might teach the
learning and the tongue of the Chaldeans.
5And the king appointed them a daily provision of the king’s meat,
and of the wine which he drank: so nourishing them three years, that at the end
thereof they might stand before the king.
6Now among these were of the children of Judah, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah:
7Unto whom the prince of the eunuchs gave names: for he gave unto
Daniel the name of Belteshazzar; and to Hananiah, of Shadrach; and to Mishael,
of Meshach; and to Azariah, of Abednego.
Daniel – God is my judge;
Belteshazzar – Bel Protect His Life or The Lord’s Leader
Mishael – High Place or Who is What God Is ;
Meshach – Agile or Expeditious
Azariah – Jehovah is Keeper or Hath Helped;
Abednego – Servant of Nebo [Chaldean idol] or Servant of Light
Okay, we have seen that …
God’s people are not always exempt from problems of the effects of sin
We can also see that…
Good things that happen to people can be bad
Daniel 1:8 KJV But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.
Satan uses traps of “glittering” things
Satan uses our desires and lusts to harm us
Good things can be bad
We need to remember…
God’s people do not have to give in to sin
We rationalize it is okay
We lower our standards to not make waves
We neglect God to not stand out
We betray God and His cause when we do so
We can overcome Satan and the sin he puts in front of us
We need to also remember…
Doing right things for the right reasons is good and shows integrity!
Daniel was like this. We can see that…
Daniel’s life was based on not defiling himself & not denying God
No eating of ungodly things
No worshipping of false gods
No neglecting worshipping and praying to Jehovah
Our goal should not just be quitting this or that, but also putting God first in our lives
God will bless integrity in time (key is to be faithful)
Daniel
1:9-16 KJV 9Now God had brought Daniel into favour
and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs.
10And the prince of the eunuchs said unto Daniel, I fear my lord the
king, who hath appointed your meat and your drink: for why should he see your
faces worse liking than the children which are of your sort? then shall ye make me endanger my head to the king.
11Then said Daniel to Melzar, whom the
prince of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah,
12Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us
pulse to eat, and water to drink.
13Then let our countenances be looked upon before thee, and the
countenance of the children that eat of the portion of the king’s meat: and as
thou seest, deal with thy servants.
14So he consented to them in this matter, and proved them ten days.
15And at the end of ten days their countenances appeared fairer and
fatter in flesh than all the children which did eat the portion of the king’s
meat.
16Thus Melzar took away the portion of
their meat, and the wine that they should drink; and gave them pulse.
And know…
God will use integrity and faithfulness to bless others (this was seen in Daniel’s life)
Daniel
1:17-21 KJV 17As for these four children, God gave them knowledge
and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all
visions and dreams.
18Now at the end of the days that the king had said he should bring them
in, then the prince of the eunuchs brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar.
19And the king communed with them; and among them all was found none
like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael,
and Azariah: therefore stood they before the king.
20And in all matters of wisdom and understanding,
that the king inquired of them, he found them ten times better than all
the magicians and astrologers that were in all his realm.
21And Daniel continued even unto the first year of king Cyrus.
Daniel interpreted dreams – Chapter 2
Was placed in a high position of authority
Yet he remained faithful
A side note:
Daniel’s friends (Three Hebrew Children) refused to bow down to Nebuchadnezzar’s image – Chapter 3
Stood firm and faithful on their convictions
Affected Nebuchadnezzar’s rule positively
Lighted the way for others to see the rightness of God
Yet they remained faithful too
Daniel did not hesitate to interpret a negative dream from God - Chapter 4
Pointed Nebuchadnezzar to the Lord
Yet he remained faithful
Daniel did not hesitate to interpret a negative message on the wall from God - Chapter 5
Pointed King Belshazzar sins and shortcomings out from the Lord
Yet he remained faithful
Daniel did not hesitate to continue his life of prayer and seeking God – Chapter 6
Did not copy what others were doing
Did not give in to human frailties
Had a meeting with some hungry lions
Had a nice sleep-filled night (unlike King Darius)
His accusers got the opportunity to consult with the lions
Yet he remained faithful
Are you faithful?
Do you desire faithfulness in your life or do you just go with the flow?
Gary Marcum – New Beginnings Church – 011109am