A Faith That Shines In Adversity

Introduction

What if you knew personally and influenced the most powerful man in the world? That’s the unique position in which Daniel finds himself in that Old Testament prophecy, the book of Daniel. This historical character has intrigued me from the time that I was a little child. But I am impressed all the more when you consider that here is this massive machinery, this world-dominant empire, with its greatest king, Nebuchadnezzar, who is involved in the history of God’s covenant people. And thus this man known to history beyond the Bible is also found within the pages of inspiration in the book of Daniel. And Daniel, this captive Jewish slave, is influential in the workings of Nebuchadnezzar’s kingdom because of the dreams that comes to him. In chapter 2 and chapter 4.

And then Babylon’s last king on the very last night of his life, when he sees the handwriting on the wall.

You have been weighed and found deficient before God. Daniel is there. And that’s not all. As the Babylonian kingdom is replaced by the Medo-Persian kingdom, Darius the Mead comes into power, and we begin reading about that in Daniel chapter 6. And Daniel is influential in not one but another world empire and its leader Darius, who we may or may not know beyond the pages of inspiration and other annals of history, but certainly the biblical record points to the power of this great man and the interplay with God’s now aging but righteous Daniel. Most of us know the account of Daniel 6. In fact, Scott drew our attention to this account in a recent invitation, and I told him at the time, because it was just a few minutes of an invitation, you ruined a perfectly good sermon.

And I meant that I had to text him or email him the next day and say, You know I meant that as a compliment, right? And yet he didn’t ruin it because I’m going to preach one anyway about this text. And so the short of this story, which many of you know, is that Daniel is excelling in this new empire, and there were people that were jealous of him, other sack traps, they were called, were jealous of Daniel’s success. And they could not find any evidence of corruption to bring an accusation against him. And so they thought it’s going to have to be something in regard to his faith.

They know that Daniel’s habit of prayer would interfere with this injunction and thus get him into trouble. Notice how they appeal to the vanity of the emperor. And he succumbed to that trickeration. And Daniel was found guilty. He continued to pray to the God of heaven. And so the king must enforce his injunction to save face, though he did not want to do so. And so we begin reading in verse 16. Then the king gave orders, and Daniel was brought in and cast into the lion’s den. The king spoke and said to Daniel, and I have these words underlined in my Bible, your God, whom you constantly serve willself deliver you. Now that’s remarkable. Yes, we look at Daniel as this great character of faith. But what I want you to realize is that Daniel’s faith has had an impact on Darius as well.

As we point out his vanity and pride, he even put forth this injunction against prayer to anyone other than himself. Still, he has been influenced by the life of Daniel. And while he does not want to have to throw him into the lion’s den for his punishment, he believes in the God of Daniel to have the ability to deliver him from these lions. To me, that is impressive. How did the faith of Darius come about? Perhaps it was Daniel’s retelling of the events of Israel’s history. Perhaps it was a brief recounting of God’s deliverances of the past. It had to involve something to that end. But for whatever the occasions were that Daniel was able to talk to Darius and tell him about his God. And perhaps explain why it is that he is in captivity despite the fact that his God is very real.

Darius is convinced. He is convinced to the extent that he knows that Daniel being cast into the lion’s den is not necessarily the end for Daniel. And that conversation that begins all of this in verse 16 is not the end. Notice verse 18. Then the king went off to his palace, and he went right to sleep. That’s not what my text says. He spent the night fasting, and as was probably the case usually, entertainment being brought before him in the evening. There was no entertainment brought before him, and his sleep fled from him. It was a painful night for Darius because of what he had to do or felt he had to do in regard to Daniel. So the king arose with the dawn. It’s almost like he couldn’t wait for the night to be over.

He arises with the dawn at the break of day, and he goes in haste to the lions. I want you to notice the faith of Darius here. He believes Daniel might still be alive. He’s been fasting through the night. Can hardly sleep, if at all, wondering about the fate of Daniel. And when he had come near the den to Daniel, he cried out with a troubled voice. The king spoke and said to Daniel, servant of the living God. Whatever Darius might have thought about himself as a God, it pales in comparison to what he knew about the God of Daniel. Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you constantly serve. And I have that underlined in my Bible. How was Daniel influential in the life of Darius?

He constantly served. Has he been able to deliver you from the lions? And then I love Daniel’s response. Sitting amidst the lions. O king live forever.

And they have not harmed me, in as much as I was found innocent before him, and also toward you, O king, I have committed no crime. As Daniel had exemplified, we must obey God rather than men. Acts 5, verse 29. The king was very pleased. He had done what his injunction forced him to do, but now that he has survived the night with the lions, well, that changes everything. He gives orders. And those who had maliciously planned all of this were themselves thrown in the lion’s den, and they received the fate they had hoped Daniel would receive. As all of a sudden the lions got hungry. And he wrote a decree, Darius did, declaring that the kingdom is to fear and tremble before the God of Daniel.

Verse 26, for he is the living God and enduring forever, and his kingdom is one which will not be destroyed, and his dominion will be forever. An amazing declaration from a world emperor.

Just an amazing Bible story or something more. I want to make this relevant to your circumstances this morning. How confident are you in God’s abilities? How confident are you in God’s abilities to deliver you? Oh, I don’t expect any of you to be in a lion’s den anytime soon. You never know. That’s probably not going to be your fate, your circumstances. But that doesn’t mean you’re not going to be in circumstances in your life that will need God’s deliverance. Do we trust in his powerful working in our lives? Or will we need some personal demonstration first? Is God going to have to prove himself to us before we will rely and depend upon him? Or will we look at the stories contained in Scripture, like the story of Daniel, and understand that he is with his faithful people and that he’s going to be with me.

1. God Can See Me Through My Trouble

Do we walk by sight? Or do we walk by faith? That’s all I want to make four quick points about the story and some things we learn about walking before God and facing the crises of our lives. And the first point that I want to make is that God can see me through my trouble. Just as he saw Daniel. Through his.

That’s bad math. Trouble equals God has abandoned me. He does not love me. He has rejected me. Because if he cared at all about me, he would not let me endure any of this. What book have you been reading? You’ve not been reading the Bible. The Lord people experience trouble. Let me just give you one verse. Psalm 9, verse 9. Got that? Psalm 9? Easy to remember, right? May you call it to attention in your mind when you experience trouble. The Lord is a stronghold for the oppressed. He is a stronghold in the midst of trouble. What is that passage saying? Oh, but that couldn’t be me because I’m righteous. Again, what book are you reading? The Lord’s people are sometimes oppressed. The Lord’s people sometimes experience great trouble.

And that’s just the beginning. You know, I’ve used this illustration before. I’ve heard other preachers use it. You know, we want the religious experience, our Christian experience to be Elijah on Mount Carnal. Where all the bad guys get shown up, where God allows all of his enemies, the prophets of Baal to be destroyed, and where his will reigns supreme. We want everything to be, our religious experience to be Elijah on Mount Carmel. But we don’t want the next chapter. 1 Kings 19. When wicked Jezebel gets wind of this and pursues Elijah all over creation to kill him, and he ends up in a cave of despondency at Horeb, where the law was given. He ends up in the cave of despondency saying, and this is just right after the great events, the glorious moment at Carnival, he’s now in the cave of Moreb saying, I alone am laughed, kill me.

What’s the point of all of this? And of course, God tells him, I still have 7,000 that have not yet bowed the knee to Baal, and I have some work for you to do. Get out of the cave. Elijah. And we come to the New Testament. Well, maybe things are different in the New Testament. And then there’s Paul.

I know when we read through there, we want to rebuffet. But it’s really sort of the opposite of that. The buffeting of one’s body, the messenger of Satan that buffets me, and he prayed three times that it might depart. And God says, I’m not going to remove it. Power is perfected in weakness. It was a messenger of Satan sent to humble him because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations that he had received. He wanted it to go away. But he’s going to have to live with it. Perpetually. Whatever that thorn in the flesh was, he experienced trouble. How often have I witnessed people who give up on faith in the Lord and serving him because they encounter some significant, overwhelming trouble in their lives, and they just say, it’s not worth it.

Serving God isn’t paying off. I’m in pain here. I’m suffering. I’m troubled.

Blindsided. When life takes a horrific turn. Here’s what I want to ask you. In the midst of your trouble. What is the status of your faith in the midst of physical and emotional pain? In Christmas, we often find the true test of our convictions, of our faith. The trial of your faith, Peter talks about in 1 Peter chapter 1. More precious than gold that perishes may be found to result in praise and honor and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ. The crisis, the trouble, whatever it is not a time to give up on faith. It is a time to shore up faith all the more.

And that’s the hard part.

Two weeks nice. What if it’s the rest of your life? You know, we all we sort of like the story of Job from the standpoint, not that we want to suffer like Job. But the fact that ultimately his fortunes were reversed. And Jane points that out the outcome of the Lord’s dealings, that he’s merciful. And despite all the trouble that Job had to endure, ultimately things turned out better in this life, at least for a time. But he still got old and died, I would have you know. And we want our fortunes reversed now. And that may not be the case. I love Jacob’s assessment of his life when he finally comes before Pharaoh in Egypt, and you know he’s had some difficulty with the trickery and deceitfulness, thinking Joseph is dead and finds out that he’s alive many years later.

Remember what his assessment was of his life? Few and unpleasant have been the days of my life. This is a man of faith talking. And he would characterize his days generally. Few and unpleasant, full of trouble.

2. God Can Use Me as I Go Through Trouble

Some wonderful phrases in that song. When sorrow dims the light along the way. See each time of darkness through eyes of faith, a time for hope, a time for courage, knowing that you will lead us through. March with hearts courageous. That’s the response of faith. And leads me to the second point. Instead of decrying the trouble that has come our way. Let’s change our perspective and thinking and understand that God can use me as I encounter and go through trouble. Now let me just say, I may be preaching to some people this morning who are not experiencing any trouble presently. And if that is you, I tell you, thank God now. Be grateful. Rejoice in that. But if you live long enough, that will not stay that way indefinitely.

You will experience trouble. And it may not be this week or next week, but ultimately you will. And how you respond is going to mean everything. That’s one of the issues Solomon is confronting in Ecclesiastes chapter 9. When he admonishes his readers to make the best of your life. Enjoy the woman of your youth that God has given you. Love her. Make sure your laundry is all clean. Be diligent in life. Whatever your hands find to do it with your might. He said, just make the best of your circumstances. But I saw something and it impressed me. That the race is not always to the swift. The battle is not to the warriors, and neither is bread to the wise, nor wealth to the discerning, nor favor to men of ability.

For time and chance overtaketh them all. Moreover, man does not know his time like fish caught in a treacherous net and birds trapped in a snare. So the sons of men are ensnared at an evil time when it suddenly falls on them. And he’s talking about the righteous and the unrighteous. Things don’t always go your way. Make the best of your circumstances, but understand you live in a world where things happen that don’t make any sense at all. ASAP was talking about that in Psalm 73. So understand that while you’re not in trouble presently, you may be sometime very soon. It’s just a normal Saturday, and you’re going to a heart walk as Sherry was a few weeks ago. You come back to your car and you realize somebody has broken in the passenger window and stolen your purse.

Instantaneous trouble. That we’re still doing. These kinds of things happen. Second. When you see yourself in trouble, it is easy to be immersed in the mess. Whatever it is. And not see this as an opportunity to display faith. We get discouraged, downtrodden, frustrated and hurting, wishing it weren’t so. This is not a time to neglect faith. God wants us to turn to him in crisis.

3. God Can Facilitate My Victory Over Temptation

Again, Psalm 46 and verse 1. He’s a stronghold in the times of trouble. He’s a refuge. What is that saying about our circumstances? They’re going to be less than ideal at times. But turn to him, be anxious for nothing. But in prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your request be made known unto God. And thirdly, don’t just get immersed in the mess. Focus on character and steadfastness in the midst of your trouble. One number three. As I grow in confidence in regard to God’s abilities, I need to also understand that God can also facilitate my victory over temptation. Our sin is the result of a lack of faith. Do you understand God can assist you in overcoming the adversary and the alluring temptation that he places in our path?

Now, is there a prayer in the Bible that says that? How about the Lord’s prayer? How does it go? And Jesus is the one who uttered these words. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. There is no temptation given to us, but such is common to man. And with each temptation, there’s a way of escape. 1 Corinthians 10 and verse 13. Do you trust when temptation comes upon you severely that God can facilitate your victory over temptation? We have a high priest who has promised to come to the aid of the victims. That’s not what it says. He wants to help us before we’re victims. He comes to the aid of the tempted, Hebrews 2 and verse 18. But when we have succumbed, we have a high priest that is merciful who experience temptation as we do.

And we can find grace and mercy to help in a time of need. Hebrews chapter 4 and verse 16. And besides awesome divine assistance, we have human assistance. A human face and a human touch to which we can appeal for help. That’s one of the designs of the local church. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. Pray for one another that you might be healed. Confess your faults to one another, James says in James chapter 5. He also provides this as a part of the solution for our victory over temptation. Do we feel like we’re going it alone? Or do we appeal to these resources for our strength and recovery? Peter’s example has always been forefront in our minds at the denials of Peter.

4. God Can Lead Us Into His Eternal Kingdom

How could he deny the Lord three times? But you know the Lord predicts that before it happens. He says to him, so close to the actual infraction, you’re going to deny him three times. Satan has demanded to sift you like weak. But I have prayed for you. Jesus is already doing his intercessory work before he ascends on eye. He has prayed for him that your faith fail not. Yes, you will have to recover from this. He said, when you are converted, strengthen your brothers. The Lord has prayed, he has interceded for Peter that he might recover from this failure and again be of use in service in the kingdom. God can facilitate my victory over temptation. And finally, the story of Daniel and Darius and their faith suggests to me that God can lead us into his eternal kingdom and presence.

And while we may be quick to embrace the first three points of this sermon, perhaps we really struggle with this last point. I speak to so many people who I believe really struggle to embrace the thought that they can go to heaven. Because of our experiences with sin, our struggles in the past, sometimes our fumbling and bubbling along, we’ve all been there. Our failures to think as we know we should think and act as we know we should act, and we think, how can God save the likes of me? Look, we could have been saying that when we first obeyed the gospel. How can God save the likes of me? I don’t deserve this. You don’t deserve it. None of us deserve it. But he found a way to bring us into him.

He has showered us with blessings. He pours out blessings until they overflow. He has promised to assist and help us. And if we would just say the course, if we would continue to add to our faith those qualities that we read about in 2 Peter chapter 1, Peter promises an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord, will be abundantly supplied to you. Those of us who have made certain about his calling and choosing us. 2 Peter chapter 1 and verse 10. And what that passage is saying, make your calling and election sure, I believe the King James Version says, what that passage is saying is you need to demonstrate in your life, I am a person of faith. And you do that by pursuing those qualities.

I’m going to be kind to folks. I’m going to exercise some restraint, some self-control. I’m going to be a godly person. I’m going to be focused on God rather than the world all the time. I’m going to love people. As hard as that is at times, I’m going to take the characteristics of 1 Corinthians 13 and put them into practice in all of our relationships. I’m going to be morally excellent. I’m going to rise above the future that’s in the world around me. I am going to be a person of faith. I’m going to show that I’m one of the called, one of the chosen. And if we’ll stay that course, if those qualities are yours and are increasing, he says, you’ll be fruitful. In the true knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

And God’s going to lead you home.

Too often, I think we rely upon ourselves. Look, folks, if it’s just up to me, I can’t make it.

Who can be saved? If it’s like this, maybe it’s easier for a rich man to go through the eye of a needle. Or something like that in Mark 10. I think I’m thinking mixing the two. The camel goes through the eye of the needle, the rich man. Okay. You know the story. Who can be saved? It’s impossible. And I want to call your attention to this again. I’ve called it to your attention recently. Jesus says, with men it is impossible. But with God all things are possible. Who are you depending upon for your eternal salvation? The surpassing greatness of the power. We have this treasure in earthen vessels, Paul says in 2 Corinthians 4 verse 7, that the surpassing greatness of the power may be of God and not of ourselves.

Conclusion

This is not about me mustering sufficient strength to get the job done. I have been a failure. Sometimes I still fail. In accomplishing his will, I may water. Someone else may plant, but God gives the increase. Look, who are you depending on? Now, as I come to the end of this, what do all four of these points have in common?

God can we tend too much towards self-dependence. And not enough in regard to God dependence. Folks, that’s what faith is all about. God dependence. And choosing to obey the gospel is the choice of a God-dependent life. And that’s wisdom. And that leads to triumph and to glory. Daniel displayed the God-dependent life. We’re not just trying to fix a problem of sin in your past.

We’re bringing you into a relationship with the one whose help you need more than anyone else. As we sometimes quote Christina’s favorite verse. Philippians 4 13. I can do all things through Christ. Who strengthens me? No, that’s not her favorite verse. But you know, we sort of use that as somewhat of a like a good luck charm. You know, it’s almost like I’m invincible. I can do anything because I have Christ on myself. That’s not what that pastor is saying. Paul’s just talked about how he knows how to be a base. He knows how to have plenty or not have much at all. And what he’s saying is that I can be victorious in faith. I can survive any adversity and trouble because of my dependence upon the Lord.

I can do all things. Because God can. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. You don’t need just the sin fix if you’re outside of Christ. You need a life fix. And the God-dependent life is the ultimate way to live. Does that describe you? Have you put on Christ? Have you been immersed in Him to have your sins forgiven so that you might walk in the list of life? Or perhaps I’m speaking to someone who did that in times past. But like as we studied in our class, Diotrophy’s lost his way. We can lose our way. How’s it going? Would you say your life has been God dependent or self dependent? Or world dependent? Can we assist you in getting that back on the right track?

We stand and sing to encourage you.