Dare to Be Like Daniel

If you would turn in your Bibles to Daniel chapter 1 Daniel chapter 1 the times my study Scripture. I like to try to envision what it would be like to be in the shoes of the character that I may be starting and I can imagine what it would be like to grow up in the environment that we read about in second Kings 21 earlier can imagine what it would be like to grow up that way I can imagine what it would be like to be an adult man in that environment, knowing that I might not live to the day I might die in hand-to-hand combat defending my nation a sobering time. It's a sobering thought and the other thing that came to my mind is this, I think in America we are in preseason what you mean by that. Well, for 46 years when August 1 came around my wife and I were done traveling because soccer practice would start in August in North Carolina. As you know is brutal and you would take your soccer team out there and try to prepare them for the real thing again when you wouldn't have pennies on the opponent would have another color jersey and you would be rewarded based upon your preseason preparation. Prepare well you had a good opportunity and good prospect of doing well. Prepare poorly and the opposite would be true in folks why say that I think were in a preseason in America. I get publications from two or three different conservative watchdog groups and I'll mention this later in the message, but in Afghanistan today. The Caliban is going from house to house, door to door to discover Christians if there is a single girl in the house heaven helper because you will be taken and you can you can guess men in the house could be killed by anything from jail time to to being killed in Afghanistan is just one of many, many nations are Christians are being hunted. Christians are being persecuted. I want this to be an encouragement to us and I can think well we sang songs and had somewhat of a militant theme to them and that's good because we are in a battle we live.

As I've said before, lion country and their people out there that are growing more and more aggressive in opposition to what we believe the time of the message is dear to be like Daniel but we could change the title to care to be like Daniel because I'm convinced that it takes more than daring. It takes caring we need to know what we believe as convictions and be willing to stand for those things want to read a brief introduction and then we'll get into the meat of the message tonight. One of the primary purposes of the book of Daniel is to encourage God's people to trust in the Lord who directs history and his will cannot be thwarted after repeated warnings to rebrand God somberly ordain the violent destruction of Jerusalem and Judah because of their violent wickedness and idol worship. It included the sacrifice of children and fire as we read earlier in second Kings chapter 21 God called Judas you to a treacherous nation that was accustomed to do evil. Think about that. Israel and Judah. And he calls Judah a treacherous nation accustomed to do evil. This is the environment in which Daniel grew up to be the godly teenager that we find in chapter 1 is a very young man. Dinner was among those taken by force to Babylon. We had a make decision that will would affect his whole life's choices were made in the face of very real peril and persecution and beloved. We live in a time when the Judeo-Christian ethic is the target of counterfeit religions and governments worldwide. As I said earlier, there are believers suffering greatly for their faith today in that I want to say take heart, as we focus upon two instances in the life of Daniel and we can see how an exemplary faith can excel in a hostile pagan environment for God's glory. We can see how an exemplary faith can excel in a hostile pagan environment for God's glory incident number one is found in chapter 1 what is the incident Daniel is faced with the temptation to compromise with the heathen culture. Daniel is faced with the temptation to compromise with the heathen culture says sound familiar I think were, work tempted to do that everyday of our lives we live in a culture that is evil and growing progressively worse and were tempted often to compromise the first point that I want us to consider though is this Daniel was a man of conversion and consecration to God. Daniel was a man of conversion and consecration of God. Obviously we know that conversion precedes consecration spiritual conversion implies a turning from and turning to turning from sin we call repentance. Turning to God's call faith in God's grace and mercy is the cause of conversion to the gifts of faith and repentance were not born as believers. Daniels practices his lifestyle his prayers gave clear, consistent evidence of conversion before he ever came to Babylon.

Chapter 9 and were not going to go there but I would. I would suggest that you do it later if chapter 9 contains a clear declaration of faith and confession of sin.

It is a beautiful beautiful prayer for his nation. The context of Daniel's temptation to compromise is Daniel 1124, and in this you're going to see not only did he display conversion but consecration and what is that mean it means to set apart to separate, to be holy is serious minded devotion serving God. Notice verse one in the third year of the reign of Jehoiada him king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it. And the Lord gave Jehovah. Kim, king of Judah into his hand with some of the articles of the house of God which he carried into the land of Shinar to the house of his God and he brought the articles into the treasure house of his God, then the king instructed Ashkenaz the master of his UNIX to bring some of the children of Israel and some of the king's descendents and some of the nobles young men in whom there was no blemish but good-looking gifted in all wisdom, possessing knowledge and quick to understand who had ability to serve in the king's palace in whom they might teach the language and literature of the Chaldeans, I want to mention something before we get to the next point on that and and and that is this notice he had them bring some of the children of Israel and some of the king's descendents in some of the nobles so these three Hebrew. These four Hebrew young people were an elite group. They were in an elite group.

Some of the king's children and some of the no and I want to keep that in mind, I'll point out why in a moment what was expected of the exiles as far as God's concern will after the fall of Jerusalem and the deportation of Babel and Jeremiah the prophet sent a letter to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babel, and here's what he says, thus says the Lord God of hosts, the God of Israel to all who were carried away captive from Jerusalem to Babylon build houses and dwell in them, plant gardens and eat their fruit cake, wives, and beget sons and daughters take wives for your sons and give daughter your daughters to husband so that they may bear sons and daughters that you may be increased. They are not met, diminished, and listen to this view would seek the peace of the city where I have caused you to be carried away captive and pray to the Lord for four in its peace. You will have peace, we read that last sentence again seek the peace of the city where I have caused you to be carried away captive and pray to the Lord for four in its peace. You will have peace. What's the point we would do well to pray for our nation that is increasingly becoming hostile. The biblical Christianity and unfortunately were many in leadership are attacking the very principles our country is founded upon. We need to be praying for America Nebuchadnezzar strategy was to assimilate Judah's young exiles in the Babylonian culture. How was he going to do it obliterate the police. Their faith system make them lose their identity is as citizens of Judah, and finally create dependence upon his government does that sound familiar. We waited again, what is he going to try to do obliterate their beliefs make their beliefs seem foolish. Let them lose their identity as people of Judah, and now Babylonian, so to speak, and finally create dependence upon his government. The first thing we notice under this is that they were exposed to the good life of Heath and environment. Look at verse five the king appointed for them a daily provision.

The king's delicacies and of the wine which he drank, and three years of training for them so that the end of that time, they might serve before they can what we notice in this verse. They were given the best provisions from the king's table. Secondly, they were given the propaganda of an education from a Babylonian worldview. If you were to substitute a word for Babylonian worldview in our nation. It would be humanism, but they were given the propaganda of an education Babylonian worldview and finally they were given the prospect of prominence, serving before the king and again please remember these are teenagers. These are teenagers.

What would it be like to be served.

The very food the king a. What would it be like to be given the best education that Babylon could offer what would it be like to be given the prop prospect of serving before they can second thing that he did was this.

Their names were changed to replace any reference to Jehovah with a reverence reference to a Babylonian God. Notice verses six and seven and from those of the sons of Judah were Daniel Hannan I am Michelle and Azariah to them. The chief of the UNIX gave names.

He gave Daniel the name Velda Shatzer to Hannan. I asked Shadrach to Michelle Meshach and Azariah, a Bendigo Daniel means God is my judge, he was called Delta Shatzer when which means Bell protect the king Hannan. I am means the Lord is gracious. He was called Shadrach, which means command of a few.

Another Babylonian God Michelle means, who is like the Lord. He was call me shack meaning who was what a coup is, and finally Azariah means the Lord is my helper. He was called a Bendigo which means servant of Nikko.

He was a god of vegetation. Now back to the issue back to the issue of the daily provision of the king's delicacies and again, keep in mind, and I'm going to single out Daniel. He was around 15. Now imagine this. Note that Daniel alone purpose not eat the food offered as no and offered an alternative.

Verse eight Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with a portion of the king's delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank. Therefore, he requested the chief of the UNIX that he might not defile himself.

There's two possibilities, given for why in this request was given not eat the king's food tool. The first one pagan food and drink was devoted to idols and to indulge with the beyond of these deities in Exodus chapter 34 verse 15 Israel was warned against eating from sacrifices offered to pagan gods, so if that was their thinking is young men. They were trying to honor their scriptures the second possibility given Daniel and his friends avoided the luxurious diet of the king's table as a way of protecting themselves from being ensnared by the temptations of the Babylonian culture they use her distinctive diet as a way of continually reminding themselves in this time of testing that they were the people of God in a foreign land, eliminate, let me say that a different way they wouldn't have to remind themselves because they were probably among other teenagers.

Let me give you an example. Not meant to be funny but to make it very clear. Imagine the majority eating a steak sandwich and you eating peanut butter and gel you think that you get a rise out of the other people. I am sure they had to have been locked for eating over the eating vegetables and I'm sure they could have the best of me from the king's table, and again Dan is a king. I emphasized and you're going to see this in a moment Daniel in the singular is going to become important in the moment. We also learn from this incident, the God sovereignty is revealed, sometimes in subtle ways literally mean that that will look at verses 9 to 10 now God had brought Daniel into the favor and goodwill of the chief of the UNIX and the chief of the UNIX said to Daniel, I fear, my lord the king was appointed your food and drink. For why should he see your faces looking worse than the young men who are Aguirre then you will endanger my head before the king says a lot about Nebuchadnezzar, and much more said about him. He was evil, he was self-serving.

It stands to reason that this pagan could care less about Daniel's God and this is the important thing. Beloved, he could care less about Daniel's God.

But over time, Daniel's daily life demonstrated consecration to God. It earned the favor of the chief of the UNIX and again could care less about Jehovah, but there's something unique about this young man. There's something that made him stand out. He knew what he believed and that impacted this authority figure and I give you this note. People observe how your profession of faith is confirm by the daily practice of your faith, people observe how your profession of faith is confirmed by the daily practice of your faith. I've given this illustration before from this pulpit but it comes back to my mind, I would not have the respect of the Bible class that I teach at Alamance Christian school if I did not attempt to coach the way I teach Bible classes as simple and you know you have seen people who profess to be Christians act like absolutely he's a good guy but when he steps on the sideline. He morphs into something different. While he also loses a lot of impact that he could've had in my point being, this is easy to profess. It's harder to perform and it's obvious it's obvious that Dennis consistent testimony had an impact upon this guy. Daniel makes a submissive and wise appeal now.

I pointed out that he was in the singular earlier. Listen to verses 11 to 12 so Daniel said to the steward from whom the chief of the UNIX and set over Daniel Hannan I am Michelle and Azariah, please test your servants for 10 days and let them give us vegetables to eat and water to drink, then let our appearance be examined before you and the appearance of the young men who eat the portion of the king's delicacies. And as you see fit. So deal with your servants will Daniel appeal to the steward over him to allow him and his friend to eat an alternative for 10 days to see if they were better than those who ate the Kings made an Daniel said if were not better off. The steward could do with a messy place always letting him off the it won't be your fault. Here's the point that I want to make. Daniel is young man was a spark plug for his friends up here. He makes he purposes in his heart that he will not defile himself with the Kings made.

I can only imagine that the guys must've taught because the next time we hear him is not in the singular. It's in the plural as iron sharpens iron and he encouraged his friends and we we know in one of the chapters 2nd or third chapter, Daniel. These three young men did something heroic. Also, the fiery furnace, so Daniel had an impact upon his friends. I believe what happened at the end of 10 days. All of the skeptics had to face the facts.

Anybody that was skeptical. Anybody who saw the stupid foolish captive evil eating vegetables and drinking water when they could had me in wine that eat the words that a face the facts. Notice versus .14 to 21 so he the steward consented with them in this matter and tested them 10 days and at the end of 10 days or features appeared better and fatter in flesh than all the young men who ate the portion of the king's delicacies. Thus, the steward took away their portion of delicacies in the wine they were to drink and gave him vegetables.

As for these four young men.

God gave them knowledge and skill in all literature and wisdom and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dream. At the end of the days that will be three years of education at the end of the days when the king had said that they should be brought in the chief the UNIX brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar. Then the king interviewed them and among them all.

None was found, like Daniel and Anaya Michelle and Azariah. Therefore, they served before the king and all the matters of wisdom and understanding about which the king examined them notice this, he found them 10 times better than all the magicians and astrologers who are in all Israel.

Thus, Daniel continued until the first year of King Cyrus and I written in my notes. What a comparison. What a comparison he found them 10 times better than all the magicians and astrologers who were in all of Israel, not just the other teams, but all of and I think obviously you put two and two together 10 days of trial and 10 time time smarter or 10 times better. That leads us to somewhat of an overview chapters 2 through four include events. The fiery furnace, etc. that further highlight the truth of God's sovereignty over nations and over the lives of individuals but will want to jump ahead to chapter 5 in chapter 5 we fast-forward two decades after Nebuchadnezzar's death. Though Shatzer was in charge of affairs in Babylon while his father never nine.

This was a way his extravagant and blasphemous feast reached a climax when a hand writing on the wall told the baboons defeat and beloved none of his diviners could interpret the writing.

The Queen Mother were told. Remember Daniel's ability to interpret dream dreams and that he was the head of Nebuchadnezzar's Wiseman 20 years earlier. Daniel was promised possessions in the position of third ruler in the kingdom. Even though Daniel said let your gifts be for yourself.

He was clothed in purple given a gold chain and proclaimed the third ruler in the kingdom. That didn't last long. Why, because that very night Cyrus conquered Babylon and we can see when we look back on this that God was faithful throughout the 70 years of Daniel's exile and we considered incident number one. The temptation to compromise but I'd like us to turn to chapter 6 for incident number two and that is the test of commitment. The tested commitment now mention this.

Daniel is now in his 80s now I need to say this, we just talked about Cyrus conquering Babylon were going to start out in Daniel six. The third word in it pleased Darius and the only explanation that I want to give you there are several given but is thought by some that Darius used in chapter 6, verse one is a title award title. Some said for Cyrus mentioned in chapter 5, verse 31 that I just point that out, because we and was Cyrus conquering Babylon and we start chapter 6, it pleased Darius. Let me read the first three verses and under this it's Daniel was a man of character that fostered animosity among some 11 that is always been the case if we display character is going to rub some people the wrong way. It's gonna rub people with lack of care out of jealousy at event date.

Daniel was a man of character that fostered animosity among some verse one of chapter 6, it pleased Darius to set over the kingdom.

120 satraps to be over the whole kingdom and over these three governors, of whom Daniel was one that the satraps might give account of them so that the king would suffer no loss, then this Daniel distinguished himself above the governors and satraps because an excellent spirit was in and the king gave thought to sending them over the whole kingdom. What a statement in the king gave thought to setting him over the whole kingdom. Being second in command I want to shoot to notice the trap is set. If the world he cannot compete, they will often cheat so hard these Howard, his enemies going to get. If the world cannot compete that will often cheat notice versus born five so the high officials and satraps sought to find some charge against Daniel concerning the kingdom, but they could find no charge or fall because he was faithful nor was he any error fall found then these men said we shall not find any charge against this Daniel Ostby find it against him concerning the law of his God, as sounds a bit like the accusers of Christ.

They look to find something that they could pin on him and they ended up with a bogus accusation. I want to ask this question of us at this time. Do you see you actively seek to have that kind of excellent reputation in your workplace. Do you seek to have that kind of reputation and your workplace in the parent class today we learned a lot of things from Paul David Tripp that I've mentioned to them at the end of it. As we discussed, something that I've tried to drill in my students forever and that is this and I and I want before I give the illustration. Keep in mind the purpose for the illustration character will draw attention character will draw attention in the positive from people who have character character will draw attention negative attention from people who have no character which are point, consider the source there sometimes when you will be insulted and persecuted.

You need to tighten the belt one more time and keep on keeping on.

When I served as state commissioner of the North Carolina Christian school Association or athletics.

There was a school that Tom did not care for me a great deal because I had to deal with submission, and we were going there to play them one day and what they didn't know was that their English teacher was my niece and they were bad mouthing me over my dealings with and she's up there. Just listening and when they were finished, she said. I'm sure my uncle Bob would love to hear the Hess about this, but here's my point that school and I'll only get to other three.

The three coaches that I dealt with one of them left that school and taught at a public school and the only reason I'm saying this. These are people who were in Christian education for some time in about one left the school want a public school level got divorced another one to a large Catholic school in Nome in the town and my point is this what I learned. I need to make certain that I don't overlook wrongdoing on my part, think through what have you done have you done right. And if you're convinced you have peace about it. Tighten the belt and keep on walking. Just do the right thing do the right thing. Daniel did the right thing. They found nothing in his work that was wrong and he distinguished himself above the governors and satraps to the point that the king himself thought to put them over the kingdom. The trap is set at the world can't compete often. She and we read four and five and under this Daniel was faithful in his duties in the king knew what Daniel was faithful in his devotion to God and his adversaries.

They knew it the trap is not only set the trap is seductive will mean by that. What I want you to notice how this would appeal to the pride of the king versus 629. So these governors and satraps throng. I've gotta stop there that were thronged in the Hebrew means to gather tumultuous.

I just picture aborted he say 120 at one time but just picture a mass of men thronging the king's throne and keep that in mind as you hear what they say. Just walking into the presence of the king.

Keep in mind that they thronged the king on his throne, and then they ended up saying this, they thronged to gather before the king and Sebastian King Darius live forever. All of the governors of the kingdom. The administrators and satraps.

The counselors and advisers have consulted together to establish a royal statute and make a firm decree that whatever petitions any God or man for three days except you. Okay, shall be cast in the den of lions now hope king establish the decree signed the writing so that it cannot change according to the law of the Medes and Persians which does not alter.

Therefore, King Darius signed a written decree and I do believe that they appeal the Darius's pride and of the permanence of his unalterable pronouncement. Let me stop here and insert something they introduce us to the den of lions and I would submit to you that people of that day was familiar with the den of lions as people of Christ's day were familiar with crucifixion. It was horrific. It was terrifying. Remember the last time I spoke I talked about many were astonished at you so marred was his visage, they were astonished.

These are people that are used to seeing crucifixion and their astonished and I want us to keep in mind these men and the king and Daniel knew the horror of alliance to. I cannot imagine and I will insert here. When Daniel went back to his apartment to pray he wasn't skipping he was human I can imagine if I was in his shoes. My heart would be pounding my mouth would be dry my knees would be knocking and I would have to make the decision, do I do what I've always done or do I fold and you're going to see what his decision was.

He did what he always had done in the past will see that moment. The third thing I want us to notice is this Daniel was a man of conviction no compromise at any cost. Even the cost of her horrific death notice verses 10 and 11 now when Daniel knew when Daniel knew that the writing was signed. He went home and in his upper room with his windows open toward Jerusalem. He knelt down on his knees three times that day and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as was his custom since early days, and these men assembled and found Daniel praying and making supplication before his God folkie simply did what he done from his youth he prayed to God three times that day and young people were here tonight. It's important to set a habit, a pattern in your life of consistently praying before the Lord to be sure he was very aware of the horrors of alliance and we seen the trap is set. The scene is seductive because they appeal to the pride of the king, but the third thing we notice about this trap sprung verses 12 to 13 they went before the king and spoke concerning the king's decree.

Have you not signed a decree that every man who petitions any God or man within 30 days except you. Okay, shall be cast in the den of lions. The king answered and said the thing is true according to the law of the Medes and Persians which does not alter so they answered and said before the king that Daniel, who was one of the captives from Judah does not show due regard to you for you okay or for the decree that you assigned, but makes his petition three times a day. Notice that they had craftily set the king up and set him up.

Notice how they point to the king as the author of the decree just reminding them. You wrote and it can be changed and then they demeaned Daniel that Daniel was one of the captors from Judah voice that Daniel was nearly put second-in-command overview but there disdaining their showing disrespect.

They demeaned him.

Then we see the trap is secure and you can almost guess what I would say that verses 14 and 15 in the king when he heard these words was greatly displeased with himself, and set his heart idea not to deliver him any labor until the going down of the sun to deliver and then these men approached the king and said to the king. No okay that is the law the Medes and Persians that no decree or statute which the king establishes may be changed, no. I can see why he was a little bent out of shape with them later on there, walking up and saying let let let us just remind you, you know, even if you're the one that wealth is no okay it's all on the Medes and Persians at no decree or statute with the king establishes may be changed, and Darius saw through the trap he sought to rescue Daniel to no avail. And folks, here's the point. Our faithfulness can impact others who may not share our faith. It impacted the king our faith, our faithfulness can impact others who may not share our faith. It's important I really truly believe and I'm careful in saying this matter fact, there is there's a guy that attends his church that played soccer for maybe he he Pointblank said this I say this carefully, but I do believe under the pressure of coaching on the sideline I had as much impact as I did, standing in an air-conditioned classroom with an open Bible and us that in listen you got understand arm say. That means that you take the principles that you studied and you practice them under pressure.

Anything other than I is hypocrisy. So Daniel, you believe in your God, how you like lions. How do you like lions you profess, you pray now perform any did and I say that in the most favorable way. The fourth thing that we notice.

Daniel was a man of consistency before any and all people and that's important. He was a man of consistency before any and all people. He was himself sure Pastor Kearns would say the same thing and pastor Bartman when you get up to speak yet to be yourself.

If you try to be something that you're not, you got wrong motives, and I'm sure those men would say the same thing we have to pray Lord enable me to honor you.

If that means fumbling. If that means bundling. May you increase and may decrease. It's a conscious decision that must be made.

Daniel was a man of consistency wherever he was before any and all people notice verses 16 and 17 so the king gave the command they brought Daniel and cast him into the den of lions. But the king spoke same to Daniel your God, whom you serve continually, he will deliver you than a stone was brought and laid on the mouth of the den and the king sealed it with his own signet ring and with the segments of his lords. Why that the purpose concerning Daniel might not be changed, and I will throw this out you that we need to keep in mind the lions den was in the providence of God. We've heard that from this pulpit. Many many times.

Job is a perfect example. God has his hedge of protection about his own people. He could have stopped that if you wanted to put the lions den was in the providence of God, and I would like to throw this out to you in the form of the question was Daniel a biblical hero when he came out of the lions den one and went back to his apartment. The wind is being open and prayed I would say the second because he would've been just as much an example, if you been torn limb from limb. While can you give us in a real-life example that Jim Elliott and four of his friends who were martyred by the elk Indians and through their death, their martyrdom, some of their wives were used of the Lord to leave the very lead the very people who killed their husbands to Christ and I throw out God could change that. But God had a purpose and and that that should be encouraging. We started out. God is sovereign in the affairs of nations and individuals but as will see the king statement did not reflect faith as much as it was to meant to encourage Daniel.

He said he will deliver you.

Well that's an encouragement looking to see why I say that verses 18 to 22. Now the king went to his palace and spent the night fasting and no musicians were brought before him. Also, asleep went from then the king arose very early in the morning when in haste of the den of lions and when he came to the den.

He cried out with a lamenting voice to Daniel, the king spoke same to Daniel.

Daniel, servant of the living God as your God, whom you serve continually been able to deliver you from the lions and Daniel said to the king okay and live forever. My God sent his angel and shut the lion's mouth so that they have not hurt me because I fat. I was found innocent before him, and also okay I have done no wrong before you.

The king had no personal relationship with God, but he was impacted by what he observed in Dennis relationship with God.

Daniel publicly gave God the glory for his delivery. The last thing that we would consider briefly. Daniel was a man of commendable faith. Daniel was a man of commendable faith folks.

What must happen for us to have a commendable faith. What must happen for us to have a commendable faith when number one it's got exist. Obviously, but number two people got to see command. You can have a commendable faith. But what good is it unless it impacts other people you know if it if all we want is a commendable faith in the fact that Jesus is the eternal son of God who came to this earth fulfill the law perfectly died a horrific substitutionary death on a Roman cross was buried, rose after three days ascended into heaven intercedes before the throne of God for his own and will return again someday we could do that in a monastery. If you know what I'm saying and what I am saying is this, we have to make certain we are practicing our faith for the purpose of God's glory and the eternal good of other people think about that before our relatives before our neighbors. We gotta make certain we are practicing our faith for the glory of God and the eternal good of other people for to be a commendable faith. Verses 23 and 24 then the king was exceedingly glad for him, commanded that they should take Daniel up out of the den, so Daniel was taken up out of the den and no injury. Whatever was found on him. Why, because he believed in his God, and the king gave the command, and they brought those men would accused Daniel and they cast them into the den of lions them, their children and their wives and the lions overpowered them notice this and broke all their bones in pieces before they ever came to the bottom of the den.

I just picture of ravenous horrifying scene they broke their bones in pieces before they ever came to the bottom of the.

The den. This second incident that revealed Daniel's commitment to God, ends with God being exalted. We read 25 to 28, then King Darius wrote to all peoples, nations and languages as well. In all the earth. Peace be multiplied to you. I make a decree that in every dominion of my kingdom men must tremble and fear before the God of Daniel for his living God, and steadfast forever. His kingdom is the one which shall not be destroyed, and his dominion shall endure to the end he delivers and rescues any work signs and wonders in heaven and honor who was delivered Daniel from the power of the lions. So this Daniel prospered in the reign of Darius in the reign of Cyrus to the conclusion that King Darius had about God, we would say confident.

Amen.

And this thing that I just saw out the I don't know if you've noticed but they continued to use the Hebrew names Darius is writing this and when he goes to the.

The lions den.

He says Daniel's name. He says Daniel's name in writing to all these nations was embellish us of that.

He said he said Daniel.

For what it's worth, that intrigue me that this even king who had renamed him in honor of one of his gods gave him his Hebrew name in honor of his God, when asked five questions.

Are you known to be a believer who was consecrated, set apart to serving God in a hostile environment. Are you known for that. Secondly, are you known to be a person of character among those with whom you work on a daily basis that I think of you as a person of character on a daily basis. Third, are you a believer who will not compromise your convictions under any circumstance. Beloved, we don't have the time tonight, but I came close to doing this taking you to the first two chapters of Genesis, because in the first two chapters of Genesis. You must form conviction on gender and marriage and a lot of other stuff first two chapters and were going to have to come to the point where we are either going to fudge and compromise or stand fast and said now I believe that God created two genders.

He declares male and female, and I believe that marriage is between one man and the one woman that God would give the one man in his for a lifetime for the purpose of companionship and procreation.

I mean, that is the type of conviction. We are going to have to formulate and much more than just that. In other areas as well.

Fourth.

Are you consistent in your testimony for the Lord before any and all people and that's a tough one and fifth are you a person whose commendable faith results in God being exalted and you being blessed is Daniel Ross) father, I do pray that would take what I sure denied and use it in his life. As you see fit. I do believe in a sense or that this nation is in the preseason for some very intense time in the future, and we certainly deserve to have your condemnation where nation whose allowed thousands upon thousands upon thousands of babies to be murdered and will where nation who is allowed alternative lifestyles to be considered normal in the list could go on. We pray that your church that what country it's in would be salt and light that we would take up the weapons of our warfare and that is loving you with all of our heart, soul and might and loving our neighbor as ourselves. Helpless to care to be a Daniel helpless to dare to be a Daniel in Jesus name, amen