Daniel 6:19-20  Is Your God Able to Deliver?

 

King Darius has just HAD a miserable night of not being able to sleep!

A) He realized that he had been hoodwinked by wicked men to condemn a man to death that he highly loved.

 

B) A man whom he respected, and was considering to set over the whole realm.

 

C) These men had appealed to his vanity, and persuaded him to sign a foolish decree that no one could offer a prayer or petition to anyone except him for a period of thirty days.

 

D) The penalty for such an offense was to be

                   cast into the lion’s den.

 

These men were jealous of Daniel for they knew he was being considered for this high post they were all coveting.

A) They also knew that he was a man of such

     honesty and integrity that they would never

    find any flaw in his performance.

 

B) They also knew of his devotion to his God, and

  his consistent prayer life.

1) Thus the decree was designed to trap him.

                  

When Daniel knew that the decree was signed, he continued to  pray three times a day before his open window that faced Jerusalem.

A) This breach of the commandment was reported to Darius the king, and when he heard it was Daniel, he knew that he had been played for a fool

                   .

B) That whole next day – he sought earnestly for some loophole that would keep him from having to follow thru and cast Daniel into the Den

 

C) But according to the law of the Medes and Persians once a law had been sealed – it was irreversible

 

D) At evening time the men came to the King and insisted that He enforce the law

 

E) The King was stuck and reluctantly went to follow thru on the decree –

1) Daniel was bound for the Lions Den

 

16 So the king gave the command, and they brought Daniel and cast him into the den of lions. {Two compartments separated by a gate- feed and clean}

      NOT KITTY CATS – WAKI – GAME PARK

 

But the king spoke, saying to Daniel, "Your God, whom you serve continually, He will deliver you." {was Daniel thinking that’s easy for you to say from up there!}  

 

Wishful thinking on the Part of King Darius – not really a word of faith – comforted none the less

17 Then a stone was brought and laid on the mouth of the den, and the king sealed it with his own signet ring and with the signets of his lords, that the purpose concerning Daniel might not be changed.

A) Here they thought they were fulfilling their purpose to get rid of Daniel once and for all.

 

B) All the while they were only playing into God’s purpose for this man’s life.

 

C) Storms of Correction – Jonah {See warn

     Storms of instruction – Disciples {don’t assume

     Storms of Glorification- Daniel

 

Though the king had encouraged Daniel with those words, he did not fully believe them himself, so he spent a sleepless night.

A) He didn’t eat dinner – he gave the orchestra the night off – tried to sleep but couldn’t

 

B) So early in the morning – he raced out to the Lions den and called out into the darkness

20 And when he came to the den, he cried out with a lamenting voice {agony and desperation} to Daniel. The king spoke, saying to Daniel, "Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been ABLE to deliver you from the lions?"

 

C) He was relieved when he heard Daniel voice in response – V.21 O king, live forever! 22 My God sent His angel and shut the lions' mouths, so that they have not hurt me.

Darius asked the Question is your God Able?

Important question for us to ponder.

A) This isn’t the first Lion’s Den that Daniel found himself in.

 

B) He is now 90 yrs old – but 73 yrs early when he was 17 brought to Babylon

1) Chosen to be trained in the courts –

 

C) Daniel refused to eat of the Kings Delicacies believing that God was ABLE to sustain he and his friends on a limited diet – GOD DID

 

D) Wasn’t going to compromise for acceptance – that can be a Lion’s den

 

In Daniel Ch.2 Facing being put to death because the wise men couldn’t tell Neb his dream

A) Daniel brought forth – Neb asked are you ABLE

 

B) Daniel said – Not me but my God is ABLE….

 

C) CH. 2 Faced with the fiery Furnace – Shad ….Abednego  - Said our God is ABLE to Deliver us

 

D) Ch. 4 Neb had another dream – calls Daniel to interpret –

1) Daniel interprets the dream and tells Neb the truth – lifted up with pride God is going to humble you until you realize who really rules over the Kingdom of men and it is not you.

That can be a lions Den – In a place where you have to tell the truth without compromise.

A) You know God has put you into that position

 

B) Telling the truth might cost you your life

1) Cost you your job

2) Cost you a friend

 

C) You make a Decision to not bow – or compromise

 

D) Daniel Knew that His God was Able!

 

Look at v.23 remember Daniel is writing this

 

23 Now the king was exceedingly glad for him, and commanded that they should take Daniel up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no injury whatever was found on him, because he believed in his God.

 

Daniel believed in his God! Key – Believing God is able! Matthew 9:27-30

27 When Jesus departed from there, two blind men followed Him, crying out and saying, “Son of David, have mercy on us!"  28 And when He had come into the house, the blind men came to Him. And Jesus said to them, "Do you believe that I am ABLE to do this?" They said to Him, "Yes, Lord."

 

29 Then He touched their eyes, saying, "According to your faith let it be to you."  30 And their eyes were opened.

Some of you might feel blind in a situation tonight

A) Lord I can’t see – can’t discern what you are doing

 

B) Is He able to open your eyes? Is He able to give that much needed Discernment? – YES

 

C) Quit struggling to figure it out – make it work –

Say Jesus I believe that you are ABLE –

1) Lead me open my eyes – make it clear

 

D) He might tell you to walk – take one step at a time as you go – your eyes will be opened

 

That is what God did with Abe – promise Child nation – Waited Decades for the fulfillment

A) Even though – Abe had his moments where his faith wavered – He is a model – of trust

 

Romans 4:20-21

 “He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also ABLE to perform.”

 

B) I have to admit sometimes I feel like that Dad with the Demon Possessed son- Jesus ask – Do you believe

1) Lord I believe but help my unbelief. {Ability

 

C) I struggling NOT with God being Able – but being willing! – Especially when waiting –   nvr decades

1) Cross -  Romans 8:32

Romans 8:31-32

“If God is for us, who can be against us? 32  He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?”  ESV

 

Fathers good pleasure to Give us the Kingdom

 

Daniel was innocent before God!

A) You are innocent – in Christ

 

B) Listen there are blessings that come from walking uprightly – promises

1)Clear conscience – Confidence – for sure

 

C) But the blessings of God are not contingent on walking uprightly - -

1) Come because God is gracious –

 

D) He graciously pours out blessing especially when we believe HE IS ABLE!

 

Looking for stability in your walk – in a situation?

Romans 16:25

“Now to Him who is ABLE to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ.”

 

In Need of extra strength for the task ahead of you?

2 Corinthians 9:8

“And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.”

 

In need of a miracle? Something so huge – can’t see a way out? Ephesians 3:20-21

“Now to Him who is ABLE to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, 21 to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.”

 

Worried about something you have invested time and heart into falling apart

                2 Timothy 1:12

“I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is ABLE to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day.”

 

Struggling with temptation?   He is Able

Hebrews 2:18

“For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is ABLE to aid those who are tempted.”

 

Is there someone in your life – quit praying to get saved? Hebrews 7:25

“Therefore He is also ABLE to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.”

Afraid you are not going to make it in the Christian life. Afraid of falling away being lost?

Jude 24  “Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy.”

 

Note God did not deliver Daniel from the Lions den – He delivered him thru the Lions den.

A) Daniel was not alone in His lion’s Den – God was with Him.

 

B) We are not Alone either – Jesus is with us – never leave us or forsake –

1) Really only One Lion – Jesus – the Lion of the tribe of Judah

 

C) Who beat back the Lions that surrounded him?

 Declawed that Lion Satan!

 

D) Because He was victorious – He is ABLE to deliver us

 

E) Because He loved us enough to die for us – HE WILL DELIVER US

 

Listen When you believe that Your God is ABLE

A) You pray – you cry out to Him!

 

B) You rest – you trust.

1) You are Joyful – at peace

2) You are hopeful!

If your God is NOT able!

A) You worry!

 

B) You scheme – plot/ you strategize

 

C) You fear –

 

D) You complain

 

E) You are not a rest at all!

 

 

IS YOUR GOD ABLE?