A few weeks back we took one of our cars into the shop to have some work done on it.  On the way to pick it up I was riding in the courtesy shuttle that the shop provides for its customers.  Ever ridden in one of those?  There was the driver and this other passenger and myself.

As we we’re driving I noticed that the radio was tuned to K-LUV - which isn’t always the case.  I thought - “That’s probably not an accident.”  I started thinking, “I wonder if this guy is Christian.  I wonder if he’s part of a church or where he is spiritually.”

When the other passenger asked the driver, “How’s it going?”  The driver starts sharing about his family situation - just spilling out some really tough stuff.  And, I’m listening to this and nodding and saying things like, “That’s really hard” and “Man that’s tough.”  And the whole time there’s this voice inside of me saying, “Ask him how he’s doing spiritually.”

And I’m thinking, “No, I don’t want to do that.”  That involves risk.  Stepping out of my comfort zone.  Have you ever been there?

Suddenly I’m having this argument with myself.  The driver’s listening to a Christian station.  He’s probably a brother in Jesus.  This may be the one opportunity that the other passenger hears anything about Jesus.  We’re gonna get in an accident and die and this passenger is gonna spend eternity in hell because you didn’t ask one simple question.  You’re a pastor, why are you freezing up on this?  The guilt thing is going on and I’m wrestling with this.

Then I began thinking about what we’ve been looking at here in Daniel - about courage.  That really put the pressure on.  So I asked, “In the midst of all of what you’re going through, how are you doing spiritually?”

Changed the whole focus of the conversation.  He still talked about the struggles.  But, the driver also shared how Jesus was taking him through it - working in his life - supplying everything he needed.  I don’t know about the other passenger.  But I got charged up.  Praise God.

That’s what we’ve been looking at here Daniel.  There are times when God calls us to step out of our comfort zone - to stand for Him - to share Him with others - at home - at work - at school.  To go against what is popular.  To do what may bring ridicule or rejection - being misunderstood.  Times when we struggle to step forward in faith.  Times when we need courage to do what is right - to live for God in an ungodly society.

Here in Daniel we’ve been looking at what that courage looks like.  Where it comes from.  How can we have that kind of courage in our lives. 

Please turn with me to Daniel 6 - starting at verse 1.  What is probably one of the most familiar accounts in all of Scripture - Daniel and the lions’ den.  The chapter comes with a warning.  Let’s be careful that we don’t lose ourselves in familiarity and miss what God wants us to hear.

Daniel 1 - verse 1:  It seemed good to Darius - remember Darius from chapter five?  When Cyrus conquered Babylon and then went off to conquer more places - Darius was the guy that Cyrus left on the throne to rule in his place - It seemed good to Darius to appoint 120 satraps - satraps were kind of like governors of provinces or counties - 120 satraps over the kingdom, that they would be in charge of the whole kingdom, and over them three commissioners (of whom Daniel was one), that these satraps might be accountable to them, and that the king might not suffer loss.

Nebuchadnezzar ruled the Babylonian Empire with absolute despotic dictatorial authority - micro management.  The Persian Empire was four times the size of the Babylonian Empire and Cyrus ruled it differently.  What’s being described here are layers of bureaucracy ruling over differing groups of people - nations - that Cyrus and conquered and gathered into this empire.  Grab that.  Government is not all focused on one man - like Nebuchadnezzar.  There are layers of bureaucracy.

Verse 3:  Then this Daniel began distinguishing himself among the commissioners and satraps because he possessed an extraordinary spirit, and the king planned to appoint him over the entire kingdom - on top of the pile of bureaucrats - Then the commissioners and satraps began trying to find a ground of accusation against Daniel in regard to government affairs - power politics - climb over the guy ahead of you on your way to the top - but they could find no ground of accusation or evidence of corruption, inasmuch as he was faithful, and no negligence of corruption was to be found in him.  Then these men said, “We will not find any ground of accusation against this Daniel unless we find it against him with regard to the law of his God.”

Pause there.  Notice two things.

First:  Daniel was engaged in the political system.

Daniel - at this point - is probably in his mid 80’s.  He’s lived in Babylon for about 66 years - since he was a young teenager.  Darius calls him out of retirement to serve in the government.  So, he hangs up his fishing pole - comes out of retirement to serve.  Daniel never resisted being involved in the politics of His day.  This may be a stretch to some.  But, its possible to be obedient to God and still be in politics. 

There’s no way to touch the world for Jesus if we’re not in contact with it.  Jesus touched lepers - talked to prostitutes - ate with tax collectors and sinners.  God loves people.  If we’re going to love people as God loves people then we’ve got to allow God to push us out of our comfort zone and use us even when we may not want to go there.

Second:  While Daniel was engaged in the political system he was not corrupted by it. 

Darius looked at Daniel and saw a man of “extraordinary spirit” - a spirit that no one else possessed.  Darius is going to put Him in charge of the whole kingdom.  That spirit came from God not corruption.

On the other hand - Daniel’s enemies saw that “extraordinary spirit” and hated Daniel - plotted against him.  But, no matter how hard or how deep they probed - Daniel’s enemies couldn’t get an accusation to stick.

That’s a powerful testimony to the character and integrity and faithfulness of Daniel.  There were boundaries - points beyond which Daniel wouldn’t go.  Boundaries of behavior and participation that were shaped by God.  In the midst of all that ungodliness the only accusations they could make stick were because of Daniel’s faith in God.

That’s a challenge for us - isn’t it?  Could that be said of us?  Engaged.  But, not corrupted.  Say that with me, “Engaged.  But, not corrupted.”

Verse 6:  Then these commissioners and satraps came by agreement to the king and spoke to him as follows:  “King Darius, live forever!  All the commissioners of the kingdom, the prefects and the satraps, the high officials and the governors have consulted together that the king should establish a statute and enforce an injunction that anyone who makes a petition to any god or man besides you, O king, for thirty days, shall be cast into the lions’ den.  Now, O king, establish the injunction and sign the document so that it may not be changed, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which may not be revoked.”  Therefore King Darius signed the document, that is, the injunction.

A couple things here.

The law of the Medes and Persians meant that once a law was signed it - what?  it couldn’t be changed - may not be revoked.  Even the king couldn’t go against it.

Second - the lions’ den.  A very real threat.  The lions were kept hungry - near starvation.  People were torn to shreds before they even hit bottom.  This is a certain and unpleasant death.

Verse 10:  Now when Daniel knew that the document was signed, he entered his house (now in his roof chamber he had windows open toward Jerusalem); and he continued kneeling on his knees three times a day, praying and giving thanks before his God, as he had been doing previously.  Then these men came by agreement and found Daniel making petition and supplication before his God.  Then they approached and spoke before the king about the king’s injunction.  “Did you not sign an injunction that any man who makes a petition to any god or  man besides you, O king, for thirty days, is to be cast into the lions’ den?”  The king replied, “The statement is true, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which may not be revoked.” - repetition just in case we missed it the first time - Then they answered and spoke before the king, “Daniel, who is one of the exiles from Judah, pays no attention to you, O king, or to the injunction which you signed, but keeps making his petition three times a day.”

Hold onto this:  Daniel knew.  He knew about the plot propagated by his enemies.  He knew about the law the king signed.  He knew the irrevocable consequences.  This is the Kobayashi Maru no win scenario all over again.  Do what’s right before God and you’re kitty chow.

Bottom line:  Knowing all that Daniel made the choice to keep doing what he had always done in the way he had always done it.  3 times per day - up in his roof chamber - window open facing towards Jerusalem - prayer.

Verse 14:  Then, as soon as the king heard this statement, he was deeply distressed and set his mind on delivering Daniel; and even until sunset he kept exerting himself to rescue him.  Then these men came by agreement to the king and said to the king.  “Recognize, O king, that it is a law of the Medes and the Persians that no injunction or statute which the king establishes may be changed.”

Remember Pirates of the Caribbean?  The Pirate’s Code is more like what?  guidelines actually.  Not so with Medes and Persians.  That’s bureaucracy.  Unlike Nebuchadnezzar, Darius is bound by the law.  As much as he respects Daniel - tries all day to find a way to free Daniel - Darius is trapped.  The law cannot be - what?  changed - revoked.

Verse 16:  Then the king gave orders, and Daniel was brought in and cast into the lions’ den.  The king spoke and said to Daniel, “Your God whom you constantly serve will Himself deliver you.”

What do you say to someone who’s about to be thrown into a lions’ den?  “Have a nice trip?”  Darius’ statement is powerful.  “I can’t save you.  But your God - if He really is worth praying to - perhaps your God can save you.”  The king is limited in what he can do  But God isn’t.

Verse 17:  A stone was brought and laid over the mouth of the den; and the king sealed it with his own signet ring and with the signet rings of his nobles, so that nothing would be changed in regard to Daniel.  The king went off to his palace and spent the night fasting, and no entertainment was brought before him; and his sleep fled from him.

Remember Jesus’ tomb?  The stone and official seal.  Proof positive that the disciples didn’t steal Jesus’ body.  No one is going to mess with the king’s seal.  And just in case the king tried to rescue Daniel - the noble’s give their stamp of approval.  Point being that the irrevocable injunction is followed to the letter.  There are no tricks.  Daniel is in the lions’ den and only God can save him.

One other point we need to emphasize here:  Daniel’s example to us.

Picture this.  Daniel is about 85 or so years old.  He can get senior discounts at restaurants.  He’s a member of BARP - Babylonian Association of Retired Persons.  Hebrews 11 tells us that Daniel went into the den by faith trusting in God.  There is no panic - no kicking and screaming.  Just this incredible testimony of faith in God - a testimony that had great impact on the king - a testimony that inspires us today.

Hear this:  life doesn’t end at retirement.  Your usefulness to the kingdom of God doesn’t end at age 65 - or 75 - or 85.  Whatever your age - regardless of your physical or mental condition - whatever you may think of yourself or what you may think your limitations are - if you are here God has a reason for it.  When you have completed what God has for you to do He will take you home.  Otherwise - at the very least - we of the younger generation need you to live faithful examples for us to follow.  We need your wisdom.  We need your experiences.  We need you to stay engaged in the battle.

Verse 19:  Then the king rose at dawn, at the break of day, and went in haste to the lions’ den.  When he had come near the den to Daniel, he cried out with a troubled voice.  The king spoke and said to Daniel, “Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you constantly serve, been able to deliver you from the lions?”

Then Daniel spoke to the king, “O king, live forever!  My God sent His angel and shut the lions’ mouths and they have not harmed me, inasmuch as I was found innocent before Him; and also toward you, O king, I have committed no crime.”

Then the king was very pleased - understatement - the king was very pleased and gave orders for Daniel to be taken up out of the den.  So Daniel was taken up out of the den and no injury whatever was found on him - no scratches - no bite marks - not even a nibble - because he had trusted in his God.  The king then gave orders, and they brought those men who had maliciously accused Daniel, and they cast them, their children and their wives into the lions’ den; and they had not reached the bottom of the den before the lions overpowered them and crushed all their bones.

How starving were the lions?  Really really starving.

Four results of Daniel’s trust in God.

First:  Daniel is spared.  The word for “trusting” in verse 23 has the idea of continually leaning on something for support.  A door relies on a door frame for support.  Daniel is continually leaning on God for support and to sustain him.  His daily prayer gives us a glimpse of this.  Every day - three times a day - prayer.  From that daily intimacy with God - reliance on God for over 80 plus years - comes the courage and faith that sustained him.  Point:  Daniel relies on God.  The sovereign God chooses to deliver Daniel.

Second:  True justice is satisfied - the law is fulfilled.  Daniel is saved.  The satraps and commissioners - the bad guys - all become Tender Vittels.  Point:  The sovereign God is in control over the affairs of mankind.

The third result comes in verse 25 - God’s awesomeness and sovereignty are proclaimed:  Then Darius the king wrote to all the peoples, nations and men of every language who were living in all the land:  “May your peace abound!  I make a decree that in all the dominion of my kingdom men are to fear and tremble before the God of Daniel;  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.  He delivers and rescues and performs signs and wonders in heaven and on earth, Who has also delivered Daniel from the power of the lions.”

Have we heard this before?  Nebuchadnezzar made the same proclamation in chapter four.  Repetition is so we - what?  Don’t miss the point.  God is awesome.  God is sovereign.  God is in control.   Get the point?

Fourth result - The sovereign God once again blesses Daniel - verse 28:  So this Daniel enjoyed success in the reign of Darius and in the reign of Cyrus the Persian.  Again repetition - God blesses His people who trust Him.

Three thoughts of application.

First:  God will be honored when we honor Him.  Let’s say that together, “God will be honored when we honor Him.”

In any situation when we rely on God - totally giving our lives over to Him - God will be honored.

That’s true - even in the worst case scenario - ungodly - idolatrous - Babylon.  Or, right here in the greater Merced metroplex.  Interesting comparison.  Like Daniel - we’re called to live uncompromising lives in the midst of ungodly people.  Surrounded by people who want nothing to do with God - indifferent to God - angry at God - people that are pursuing everything but godliness.

Its true in our families - our schools - workplaces - wherever we’re at or whatever we’re doing.  It doesn’t matter who we are or how old we are or how young - our physical ability or mental ability - social background - educational level - or how far we’ve walked away from God in the past.

The bottom line is this:  Whenever God’s people rely totally on Him for the stuff of daily living - God’s name is lifted up.  He’s glorified.  He’s honored.

Second thought of application - a question - Where is God calling you to rely on Him?  Ask yourself that:  “Where is God calling me to rely on Him?”  Go ahead, ask yourself that.

Maybe its in stewardship.  We’re coming to a point in our ministry expansion and fund raising campaign where we’re talking about sacrificial giving - giving that goes beyond our normal giving - giving that rearranges our priorities.  That’s scary.  Its uncomfortable.  We struggle with this.  It requires us to make a choice to rely on God probably in ways we haven’t relied on Him before.  To honor Him in ways that are going to stretch us to trust in His sovereignty and provision.  Stewardship is an opportunity to learn to rely on God.

There are choices that we need to make at work - at home - at school - on vacation - in our circles of friends - even here in the church.  Choices in how we live - what we say - what we need to let go of - or grab onto - choices that are uncomfortable and stretch us in ways that maybe we don’t want to be stretched.  If were honestly asking the question, “Where do you want me to rely on you” - most of us have pretty good idea of where we struggle with relying on God.

Bottom line:  If we want to have an impact for God in the places where God has placed us - to live as example for Him - to live with purpose as He gives us opportunity - to live courageously for Him - then we need to be totally dependent on Him.

Third thought of application:  The Sovereign God is always there for His people.  Say that with me, “The Sovereign God is always there for His people

Chapters one to six of Daniel are the historical section of the book - all about Daniel and his friends - exiles living courageously for God in an ungodly society.  Each of these first six chapters gives us reasons to courageously step forward relying on God.  You’ll find these written out on your Sermon Notes.  They’re really good to keep and look back on during times when you need courage.

In chapter one we were reminded that we’re God’s people. 

While we were once under the authority and power of Satan and the powers of darkness - God so loves us - values and cherishes us - that He gave Himself to die for us.  Our lives have been purchased from Satan’s power through the broken body and shed blood of Jesus the Christ.  The Holy Spirit - God - has come to dwell within us.  We are the temple of the Holy Spirit.  He’s sealed us - set us apart - given us the promise of heaven - life with God which begins now and extends into eternity.  We are the sons and daughters of the Almighty God of creation - created in God’s image - citizens of His Kingdom - heirs of the riches of heaven.

Courage comes as we learn to see ourselves as God sees us.

In chapter two we glimpsed God’s sovereignty.

Remember Nebuchadnezzar’s dream of the statue representing all the kingdoms of the world - the times - the epochs - the seemingly uncertain movements of history - all laid out before Nebuchadnezzar.   And in the end the stone that comes blows it all away like chaff.

The stone is Jesus.  Humankind has rejected Him - stumbled over Him.  But those of us who consider Him precious know that one day He will return.  He will crush the kingdoms of this world and the foolish rebellion of humankind.  God will set up His eternal kingdom.

Courage comes as we remember that the sovereign God is in control over the wavering affairs of human history. 

In chapter three we were given a choice. 

Like the really really hot blazing furnace - Satan uses things in our society to try and confuse and delude us - to get our focus on ourselves and not God - to intimidate us and drive us towards fear.  Behind all that we’re confronted with is a fundamental choice - the choice of who we value - who we honor - who we worship - who we trust with our lives.  God - or something else.

Courage comes as we choose to value God above circumstances - choosing to surrender even our lives to Him.

In chapter four we saw Nebuchadnezzar get pasteurized.  Remember the vision of the tree and Neb becoming a beast for 7 years?

The question:  What will get our attention?  What does God need to do to knock us off our little pedestals of self?  Because we can intellectually acknowledge who God is - do the church thing - have all our doctrine and theology correct - but miss the bottom line.

Courage comes when God rules over our hearts - the core of who we are given totally over to Him - valuing Him - honoring Him - worshipping Him - trusting Him - above all others.

Then chapter five.  The handwriting on the wall.

God appealing to us - telling us where our actions - our coverings - our pride - will take us.  He is completely honest - truthful - and accurate in what He says about us.  We need to listen to His warning.

Courage comes as we acknowledge God’s truth about our lives.  What we’re looking to - other people and things to fill the emptiness that we feel within.  Courage comes as we allow God to do what only God can do - and that is to fill us - supply the deepest needs of our hearts.

There’s a repeated message here that all comes together here in chapter six.  The reality that Daniel - this retired 80 plus year old man - practiced daily in his life - the example to us of how to live where we live today.    Bottom line:  You are God’s.  He is sovereign over all things.  He alone is worthy of your trust.  So let go of anything that keeps you from trusting Him fully.  Courage - and opportunity - and blessing - come as we totally rely on Him.