Daniel in Exile Daniel 1-3 Jeremiah 29-31 Chapter 18 of The Story

Jeremiah 5:1 (NIV) 1 “Go up and down the streets of Jerusalem, look around and consider, search through her squares. If you can find but one person who deals honestly and seeks the truth, I will forgive this city.

2 Kings 24:14 (NIV) 14 He carried all Jerusalem into exile: all the officers and fighting men, and all the skilled workers and artisans—a total of ten thousand. Only the poorest people of the land were left.

Babylon in the time of Daniel

The Hanging Gardens of Babylon

Daniel Daniel 1 Chapter 18 of The Story

Daniel 1:8 (NIV) 8 But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way.

Why would Daniel stay loyal to this God Why would Daniel stay loyal to this God? Why wouldn’t he just give in to the inevitable? Why would he resist being bought off by a life of luxury?

For Daniel and his friends—staying true to their faith was more important than living a life filled with luxury.

In Daniel we see a man whose faith had a greater grip on him than his comfort.

Daniel 1:17 (NIV) 17 To these four young men God gave knowledge and understanding of all kinds of literature and learning. And Daniel could understand visions and dreams of all kinds.

Daniel 1:20 (NIV) 20 In every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the king questioned them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters in his whole kingdom.

Why did he follow it? Conviction

Spiritual Awakenings begin when God’s folks, stand for God’s Word, against the culture of the day.

Daniel 2:46 (NIV) 46 Then King Nebuchadnezzar fell prostrate before Daniel and paid him honor and ordered that an offering and incense be presented to him.

Daniel 2:47 (NIV) 47 The king said to Daniel, “Surely your God is the God of gods and the Lord of kings and a revealer of mysteries, for you were able to reveal this mystery.”

Daniel 2:48 (NIV) 48 Then the king placed Daniel in a high position and lavished many gifts on him. He made him ruler over the entire province of Babylon and placed him in charge of all its wise men.

Daniel 2:49 (NIV) 49 Moreover, at Daniel’s request the king appointed Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego administrators over the province of Babylon, while Daniel himself remained at the royal court.

What happens when a few men with Godly Conviction, surrounded by liberal culture and pagan leaders dare to trust God?

Nebuchadnezzar’s golden image

Daniel 3:16 (NIV) 16 Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to him, “King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter.

Daniel 3:17 (NIV) 17 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand.

Daniel 3:18 (NIV) 18 But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.”

If you want to start having courage, get conviction about your faith in God.

Daniel 3:18 (NIV) 18 But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.”

Always allow God to be God Always allow God to be God. There should always be great, great humility when we serve God. We pray for healing, but we do not demand healing. We pray for work, but we do not demand work. We pray, and trust, and hope, but never demand.

Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

Daniel 3:28 (NIV) 28 Then Nebuchadnezzar said, “Praise be to the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who has sent his angel and rescued his servants! They trusted in him and defied the king’s command and were willing to give up their lives rather than serve or worship any god except their own God.

Daniel 3:29 (NIV) 29 Therefore I decree that the people of any nation or language who say anything against the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego be cut into pieces and their houses be turned into piles of rubble, for no other god can save in this way.”

Matthew 10:28 (NIV) 28 Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.

Do you have any habits, any patterns, and any customs that you regularly follow in your devotion to God?

Daniel 6:20 (NIV) 20 When he came near the 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 6:21–22 (NIV) 21 Daniel answered, “May the king live forever! 22 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 ever done any wrong before you, Your Majesty.”

On word: Conviction

Does your faith have that impact? If not, what are you waiting for?