Can You Be A Daniel

Can You Be A Daniel?

Daniel 6:10-13KJV

10 Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.

11 Then these men assembled, and found Daniel praying and making supplication before his God. 12 Then they came near, and spake before the king concerning the king’s decree; Hast thou not signed a decree, that every man that shall ask a petition of any God or man within thirty days, save of thee, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions? The king answered and said, The thing is true, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which altereth not. 13 Then answered they and said before the king, That Daniel, which is of the children of the captivity of Judah, regardeth not thee, O king, nor the decree that thou hast signed, but maketh his petition three times a day.

Daniel was praying not necessarily with his hid stuck out the window but he simply took to effort to conceal himself. It was where he could be seen (and likely heard) he made no secret of his faith in God.

1.   Daniel was faced with a problem, show his faith and face a likely death or hide it and show shame.

1. The wise men all hated Daniel desiring to cause him to leave or give up his office
2. They knew the only way to defeat him was to use his faith in God!

Daniel 6:4-5KJV

4 Then the presidents and princes sought to find occasion against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find none occasion nor fault; forasmuch as he was faithful, neither was there any error or fault found in him. 5 Then said these men, We shall not find any occasion against this Daniel, except we find it against him concerning the law of his God.

1. Daniel had a choice just like you.

Daniel 6:7KJV

7 All the presidents of the kingdom, the governors, and the princes, the counsellors, and the captains, have consulted together to establish a royal statute, and to make a firm decree, that whosoever shall ask a petition of any God or man for thirty days, save of thee, O king, he shall be cast into the den of lions.

2.   We must not be ashamed of the gospel!

1. If we are ashamed of God what will happen?

Mark 8:38KJV

38 Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.

1. What does it mean to be ashamed?  

Proverbs 28:1KJV

1 The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion.

1. After all, why pray 3 times a day with windows open?

Couldn’t he have prayed just as much with them closed?

Why not pray 6 times with windows closed?

Mark 8:34-37KJV

34 And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. 35 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel’s, the same shall save it. 36 For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? 37 Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

3.   Daniel faced those who were opposed or offended by his God.

1. They say they are offended by our beliefs but they don’t seem to care how we feel when they make fun of our God! Has anyone apologized for the crucifixion? For the taunting and teasing? Atheism? For books like the “da Vinci Code”
2. We worry so much about what our friends will think, what about what God thinks? How do we hurt Him when we “close the door” on our lives? When we no longer take a stand for Jesus.

Ephesians 6:19-20KJV

19 And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

1.  Will you be a Daniel? How? When?

Hebrews 13:6KJV

6 So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.

Daniel 6:16KJV

16 Then the king commanded, and they brought Daniel, and cast him into the den of lions. Now the king spake and said unto Daniel, Thy God whom thou servest continually, he will deliver thee.

Daniel 6:18-20KJV

18 Then the king went to his palace, and passed the night fasting: neither were instruments of musick brought before him: and his sleep went from him. 19 Then the king arose very early in the morning, and went in haste unto the den of lions. 20 And when he came to the den, he cried with a lamentable voice unto Daniel: and the king spake and said to Daniel, O Daniel, servant of the living God, is thy God, whom thou servest continually, able to deliver thee from the lions?

Daniel 6:21-22KJV

21 Then said Daniel unto the king, O king, live for ever. 22 My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions’ mouths, that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt.