Made for This Moment预览

MADE FOR THIS MOMENT –DANIEL

Refusing to bow down to false gods

WARM-UP

“When Daniel knew that the document had been signed, he went to his house where he had windows in his upper chamber open toward Jerusalem. He got down on his knees three times a day and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as he had done previously.” Daniel 6:10

ON THE PITCH

Daniel was a Jewish exile to Babylon. He had gained much favor with each successive king in Babylon- first with Nebuchadnezzar and now with King Darius.

Even though these were pagan kings, Daniel had found much favor with them and kept getting promoted to higher government positions. Some government workers became jealous of Daniel and looked for a way to ruin his reputation, but they could find no fault in him. His conduct was excellent and blameless in all things.

Finally, they found a loophole to get Daniel in trouble. They knew he worshipped the one true God and often prayed to Him, so they presented a document to King Darius. This document stated that anyone who prayed to anyone except the king would be thrown into the lions' den.

The document pleased the egotistical king, so he signed it. Daniel saw that the document was signed, yet he still prayed to his God as always, not trying to hide it. He was soon arrested and thrown into the lions’ den.

King Darius was not happy because he liked Daniel. The Lord delivered Daniel from the lions’ den without a scratch on him, and those who sought to bring him down were thrown into the lions’ den instead. King Darius gave glory to the God of Daniel when he recognized that Daniel’s God had delivered him from the lions unharmed.

Many lessons can be gleaned from Daniel and the lions’ den. Daniel refused to back down from worshipping the one true God amidst the pressures of the pagan culture all around him. The cultural pressure to worship and bow down to the god of the day was heavy. Everyone else was bowing down to the king, but Daniel refused to. It would have been easy to listen to the edict of the day and quietly submit to it or hide his praying. Instead, Daniel faithfully and courageously followed the Lord his God, knowing it could cost him his life.

Will you bow down to the false gods/philosophies of today? Are you willing to stand for the one true God, no matter the cost?

EXTRA TIME

Daniel 6 and Daniel 1:8-21

PRAYER

God, when I am faced with trials and persecution on many sides, help me to put my faith and trust in you. Like Daniel, I will not allow promotion and favor to sway my worship from the One true living God. Give me the strength and courage to stand, no matter the cost. Amen.