15/04/2015
The God of Daniel Reigns!
One day a pastor visited a family, the pastor shared a concern. The husband was fully convinced help the pastor financially. Just then hiswife entered the room with a cup of tea. The husband told his wife all about the pastor needs. The husband looked at his wife for approval and wife in turn looked at herhusband disapprovingly. At this the husband turned to the pastor saying, “Pastor right now we are very tight financially.” Who do you think reigns in this family!
In our society we learn, that ‘Abode’ means an residence, ‘Peeth’ and ‘Dham’ means a place of worship. Most of the gods and goddesses live on high places, mountains on rocks and tree. They are worshiped according to the seasons. How different it is with our living God who wants to reign in our hearts ALL THE TIME!
God reigns-Everywhere!
RuralChurch
A timid, simple, uneducated villager believes in the living God. On a Sunday morningas heis seated on a mat, utters broken words during prayer, sings the songs out of tune, or his eyes tear up when he worships - this is the evidence that God reigns in that person’s life!
Marketplace
Our missionaries are translating God’s Word in the languages of the people groups. In order to create interest in people to read God’s Word. The translators write God’s Word on simple things like plates, on shopping bags in the remote villages. When you read a Bible verse on a shopping bag in the village market, it is not just the readerswho are enriched through the Word, but it also reflects His reign on earth. The Creator God talks with me even in a busy place like market!
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Workplace
We spend most of our waking hours at our workplace. You and I can show that the Lord reigns by the way we conduct ourselves at the place of work. One of the prime examples that can be quoted from Bible is from the life of Daniel.Daniel was surrounded by the alien culture; he was a ‘lonely outsider’.
1. Babylonian army requirement of Daniel was that he should possess the following qualities
• Without physical defect
• Handsome
• Aptitude for learning
• Well informed
• Quick to understand
• Qualified to serve the kings palace 1:4
2. King Nebuchadnezzar was able to witness the reign of God through the life of Daniel, therefore he said, “Everything He does is right, His ways are just. And those who walk in pride he is able to humble.” 4:37
3. The Queen witnessed God’s reign in Daniel and said,“There is a man in thy kingdom, in whomis the spirit of the holy gods.”….5:11
4. The administrators could find no fault with Daniel and said, “He was trustworthy, and neither corrupt nor negligent”…6:4. The power of righteous life penetrates the surrounding. 6:11
5. KingDarius witness the reign of God in the life of Daniel, the innocent and so he was greatly distressed…6:14a, spent the night without eating...and he could not sleep. 6:18
i. The king talks about the God of the Daniel
ii. “For He is the living God, and he endures forever, and His kingdom willnot be destroyed, and His dominion will never end. He rescues and saves, He performs signs and wonders in heavens and on the earth, He has rescued Daniel from the power of the lions.” 6:27
iii.
King Darius came under the reign of God! So the decree: “I issue a decree that every part of my kingdom people must fear and reverence the God of Daniel. 6:26a.
‘You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;
Your raise me up to walk on stormy seas;
I am strong when I am on your shoulders;
You raise me up to more than I can be.’
--- Josh Groban
The lessons from the life of Daniel
• Tell the truth on face even if you have to loose
• Fear God and not man
The powers that resistsGod’s reign
1. The plan and schemes of man
The king made the image of gold and announced that whoever does not fall down and worship will immediately be thrown into a blazing furnace 3:1-6
At this the administrators and the satraps tried to find grounds for charges against Daniel in his conduct of government affairs, but they were unable to do so. 6:4
“Did you not publish a decree that during next 30 days anyone who prays to any god or man except to you, O king, would be thrown into lions’ den?” 6:12
But the fire could not consume the three men, administrators could not find fault and lions could not kill Daniel! For He is the living God and he endures [steadfast] forever…6:26.
The ones who are masters in planning and organizing end up in building companies, but those who like Daniel; uncompromising, obedient and who fear God are the ones who pave the way for God to move.The most scientific and professional planning resist the spirit of God.For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He takes the wise in their own craftiness. And again, The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain. 1 Cor 3:19-20. A man's heart devises his way: but the LORD directs his steps. Pro 16:9.
2. The structure& systems of man
a. The kings and queens
b. Then the princes, the governors, and captains, the judges, the treasurers, the counselors, the sheriffs, and all the rulers of the provinces….3:3
c. The captain of the king's guard… 2:14
d. The wise men of Babylon…2:14,24,27
e. The court officials 1:3
f. Chief officials 1:8,18
Here the king’s words are final. The people are programed not to think beyond the structure.
Everybody knows that God reigns over all that He has created. We sing, ‘Our God reigns’. BUT, does ‘our’ God reign in me? The world wants to know as to what extent ‘our’ God reigns in my personal life! Today we live in the world that man wants to be on top. Does God reign or I? You believe it or not, the rich, the powerful, the big talkers reign.
3. The ‘unwritten law’ in practiced by man
He reveals the deep and secret things: he knows what is in the darkness, and light dwells with him. 2:22. The unwritten law is in operation in all the spheres of life. Like ‘caste system’, ‘lobbying by the powerful’, one community over other. Therefore, only certain types of people are on the top in leadership in a Christian community.The most wanted, attracted and beautiful thing on earth today is that ‘Man is a king’. How sad it is that in the name of God, man tries to builds his own kingdom.
4. Loyalty to the world rather than to God
But Daniel resolved not to defiled himself with the royal food and wine, And he asked the chief officials for permission not to defile himself this way.1:8
Those who want to do their own will float with the flow and end up compromising Christian values. We lack godliness to go against the current especially at the time of important decision making. Is God reigning in me or a friend influencing with his/her values? The most important decision is taken today in the presence of ‘Mr Powerful’ and not in the presence of the living God.
My will vs God’s Reign!
a. But Daniel resolved in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank… 1:8
b. King Darius says, I make a decree that in all the dominion of my kingdom men are to fear and tremble before the God of Daniel: 6:26. Daniel had lot of energy to serve His God. His thoughts about God were higher thoughts.
c. Daniel’s prayers reveal his helplessness 9: 4-19
i. Daniel identified the sins of the people in his prayer using the term ‘we’.
ii. We have been wicked and done wrong
iii. We have been wicked and have rebelled
iv. We have turned away from your commands and laws
v. We have not listened to your servants the prophets
vi. We and our kings, our princes and our fathers are covered with shame
vii. We have rebelled against him
viii. We have not obeyed the Lord our God
ix. We have not sought the favor of the Lord
Not because we are righteous but because who you are! V 18,19
Only the confession of my helplessness brings in God’s reign.
d. Daniel’s worship [praise] reveals God’s powerfulness 2:20-22
Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are his. And he changes the times and the seasons: he sets up kings, and deposes them. He gives wisdom to the wise, and knowledge to the discerning. He reveals the deep and secret things: he knows what is in the darkness, and light dwells with him.
c. The result : King Nebuchadnezzar and King Darias acknowledged and worship God! 1:3,6:26-27,4:34-35
Conclusion
It is a constant struggle between the Spirit and our flesh. We fail to realize that our security and identity is not in people but in God.
“Our homes are to be more than sanctuaries. They should also be places where God’s spirit can dwell, where the storm stops at the door, where love reigns and peace dwells”-Thomas S Manson