Times of Crisis
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Unshakable: Times of Crisis
April 28, 2019
Introduction
Opening Illustration:
Today, we are beginning a new sermon series entitled, “Unshakable.” In this series, we are going to focus on a character that Bro. Wes did in our revival. Our “Unshakable” series is going to come from the life of Daniel. Daniel had an unshakable faith and commitment to God. The question that we want to think about over the next few weeks is this: Do we have an unshakable faith and commitment to God? (Repeat)
Today as begin the series, we want to focus us on being Unshakable during time of crisis and change.
Read Text
Time of Crisis
The verse couple of verses of layout the historical context for the book of Daniel. We have Jehoiakim who is king of Judah (Israel). The people of Judah are God’s people. Then, there is King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon. Babylon is a pagan nation. You read verse 2 correctly. God allowed the pagan Babylonians to defeat his people. Why? Immorality, injustice, and idolatry — the people of Israel worshiped false gods. The people of Israel did not treat people fairly. The people of Israel had become rebellious against God and sinful.
The events of happen in 605 BC. Nearly 20 years later in 586 BC, Nebuchadnezzar and the Babylonians defeat Israel for good. Jerusalem is destroyed and the temple of God is burned. This was a major crisis for the people of Israel. Their national identity had been wiped out.
It was a major crisis for Daniel personally. He watched his country be defeated and destroyed. Daniel was taken to Babylon as a prisoner of war. Daniel is 14-16 years olds. If you ask teenagers today to names of crisis, you are likely to get answers like no wifi, cell phone taken for a week because of bad grades, my instagram photo is not getting any likes, why isn’t Netflix working, Montez Sweat falling in the draft.
As chapter 1 opens, it’s a time of crisis for the people of Israel. It’s a time of crisis for Daniel.
We can relate. We know what it’s like to experience times of crisis. In the 200 year history of our nation, the United States has experienced crisis: Pearl Harbor, 9/11, the Great Depression. Our city has experienced times of crisis: Hurricane Katrina, floods, racial tension, labor disputes, financial issues.
Personally like Daniel, we know what it’s like to experiences times of crisis: job loss, diseases like cancer, problems with our kids, the loss of a family member or friend.
Here is the thing about times of crisis. A crisis in life often (not always) leads to a crisis of faith. (Repeat). We question or blame God. We feel as if God has abandoned. We feel as if God is silent. We drift away from God. A crisis in life often leads to a crisis of faith.
But here is what we learn from Daniel. A crisis in life doesn’t have to lead to a crisis of faith. Our faith and commitment to God can be unshakable during times of crisis. That is what we see in the life of Daniel.
How did Daniel do it? How did Daniel remain unshaken in times of crisis? How do we remain unshaken during times of crisis?
1. We must have a strong Biblical foundation.
Daniel had a strong Biblical foundation. Daniel was 15 or 16 years old when this chapter begins. The events of chapter 1 occurred in 605 BC. That means Daniel would have been born around 620 BC. Every time you study the Bible, you learn something new. I have studied Daniel extensively over the years. It never occurred to me until this past week that with Daniel being born around 620 BC would have been born when Josiah was king.
We studied about Josiah leading up to our revival. We studied Josiah leading up to our revival because it was during Josiah’s reign that Israel experienced one of the great revivals in the Old Testament. It was during Josiah’s reign that God’s Word was found. Josiah removed idolatry for Israel. Josiah and the pledge to follow God’s Word and live it out.
Daniel was born during a time of great revival in Israel. As we study through the book of Daniel, it’s very clear that Josiah’s reign and his pledge of obedience had a powerful effect on Daniel’s life. Daniel had a strong Biblical foundation.
Jesus compared a strong Biblical foundation to a house build upon a rock.
(NKJV) Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock.
When we have a strong Biblical foundation, we will not be shaken during times of crisis.
Illustration: Sand Palace in Mexico Beach, FL (Hurricane Michael)
(NKJV) But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall.
If our faith is shaken during times of crisis, maybe it’s because our foundation is not strong. It’s never to late in life to get a strong Biblical foundation. Get in the Word. Be committed to Sunday school. Be committed to hearing the preaching and teaching of the Word.
Daniel was unshaken because he had a strong Biblical foundation. Let me share another reason that Daniel was unshaken during this time of crisis. Here is another reason that we can remain unshakable during times of crisis.
2. God is always with us.
Illustration: Little Johnny not wanting to go on front porch to get broom in the dark
— God was with Daniel.
— God was with Daniel.
We see this over and over again in Scripture. Remember Joseph. Joseph was sold into slavery by his brothers. He was thrown in jail for a crime he didn’t commit. But God was with Joseph.
Do you remember Joshua? Joshua was the new leader of Israel. He had big shoes to fill. The leader before Joshua was Moses. (The QB after Drew Brees retires). Joshua had a huge task ahead of him. Joshua was lead Israel in the conquest of Canaan. Here is the promise that God made to Joshua. A promise that is echoed in the New Testament to believers.
(NKJV) Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.
God doesn’t abandon us during times of crisis. God is with us.
(NIV) I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.
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