WALKING WITH GOD & LIONS! DANIEL 6

INTRODUCTION/BACKGRO UND Daniel Chapter 1: EXILED TO BABYLON! Daniel Chapter 2: THE EMPIRES OF THE WORLD Daniel Chapter 3: THE ISSUE OF WORSHIP & A FURNACE OF FIRE Daniel Chapter 4: NEBUCHADNEZZAR’S ISSUE OF PRIDE Daniel Chapter 5: THE HANDWRITING ON THE WALL Daniel Chapter 6: THE ISSUE OF WORSHIP & THE LION’S DEN

THE STATUE

Prophecy Fulfilled

“At this (Daniel’s pending promotion), the other governors tried to find grounds for charges against Daniel in his conduct of government affairs, but they were unable to do so. They could find no corruption in him, because he was trustworthy and neither corrupt nor negligent. Finally these men said, “We will never find any basis for charges against this man Daniel unless it has something to do with the law of his God.” Daniel 6:4,5

THE PLOT AGAINST DANIEL “So the governors went as a group to the king and said: “O King Darius, live forever! We have all agreed that the king should issue an edict and enforce the decree that anyone who prays to any god or man during the next thirty days, EXCEPT TO YOU, O KING, shall be thrown into the lion’ den. Now, O King, issue the decree and sign it into writing so that it cannot be altered, according to the law of the Medes and Persians. So the king put the decree into writing.

THE KING AND HIS WEAKNESS HAVE A STATUE MADE OF YOURSELF! BE GOD ALMIGHTY FOR 30 DAYS! “…anyone who prays to any god or man but you for 30 days, shall be thrown into the den of lions…” Daniel 6:7

DANIEL’S RESPONSE! “Now WHEN DANIEL KNEW THAT THE DECREE HAD BEEN SIGNED AND PUBLISHED, HE WENT HOME TO HIS UPSTAIRS ROOM WHERE THE WINDOWS OPENED TOWARD JERUSALEM. THREE TIMES A DAY HE GOT DOWN ON HIS KNEES AND PRAYED, GIVING THANKS TO HIS GOD, JUST AS HE HAD DONE BEFORE!” Daniel 6:10

THE PLOT THAT WORKED Daniel 6: THE GOVERNORS WENT AND FOUND DANIEL PRAYING! VS THE GOVERNORS WENT TO THE KING! “Did you not make a decree that anyone who prays the next thirty days to anyone but you would be thrown to the lions?” “Is it not true that the decree is unchangeable according to the law of the Medes and the Persians?” The king answered: “Yes, the decree stands and cannot be changed!” The governors said: “Daniel is guilty! He ignores you and the law and still prays 3X a day!

THE KING’S RESPONSE! “When the king heard this, he was GREATLY DISTRESSED; He was determined to rescue Daniel and he made every effort until sundown to save him.” Daniel 6:14 Then the governors went as a group to the king and said to him, “Remember, O King, that according to the law of the Medes and the Persians, no decree or edict that the king issues can be changed.” Daniel 6:15

DANIEL IN THE LION’S DEN! “So the king gave the order, and they brought Daniel and threw him into the lions’ den. And the king said to Daniel, “May the God whom you serve continually, rescue you.” A stone was brought and placed over the mouth of the den, and the king sealed it with his own signet ring and the rings of his nobles, so that Daniel’s situation might not be changed! And that night the king could not sleep!” Daniel 6:16-18

“At the first light of dawn, the king got up and hurried to the lion’s den. He called to Daniel in an anguished voice, “Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to rescue you from the lions?” Daniel 6:19,20

DANIEL’S ANSWER! “O king, live forever! “MY GOD, sent His angel, and he shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, because I was found innocent in His sight. Nor have I done any wrong before you, O king.”

THE LION IN OUR LIVES! “YOUR ENEMY, THE DEVIL, PROWLS AROUND LIKE A ROARING LION, LOOKING FOR SOMEONE TO DEVOUR. RESIST HIM AND STAND FIRM IN THE FAITH….” I Peter 5:8,9

WHAT GOD DOES FOR US! 1.“GOD SENT HIS ANGEL AND HE SHUT THE LION’S MOUTHS! VS.22 2.“At the king’s command they lifted Daniel up and out…” vs “No evidence of harm was found on him…” vs “the men who accused Daniel were thrown into the lions’ den vs. 24

A NEW DECREE THAT CANNOT BE CHANGED! “I issue a decree that in every part of my kingdom people must fear and reverence the God of Daniel. For He is the living God and He endures forever! His kingdom will not be destroyed, his reign will never end! He rescues and He saves; He does miracles in the heavens and on earth! He has rescued Daniel from the lions!” Daniel 6:26-27

THE GOD WHO RESCUES AND SAVES! “FOR I RECEIVED FROM THE LORD, WHAT I ALSO PASSED ON TO YOU: THE LORD JESUS, ON THE NIGHT HE WAS BETRAYED, TOOK BREAD, AND WHEN HE HAD GIVEN THANKS, HE BROKE IT AND SAID, ‘THIS IS MY BODY WHICH IS FOR YOU; DO THIS IN REMEMBRANCE OF ME. IN THE SAME WAY, AFTER SUPPER, HE TOOK THE CUP, SAYING: “THIS CUP IS THE NEW COVENANT IN MY BLOOD; DO THIS, WHENEVER YOU DRINK IT IN REMBRANCE OF ME.” FOR WHENEVER YOU EAT THIS BREAD AND DRINK THIS CUP, YOU PROCLAIM THE LORD’S DEATH UNTIL HE COMES.” (I Corinthians 11:23-26)