October 7, 2007

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 Scripture KJV

Reverend David S. Huffer

Westwood Baptist Church - 2124 Davis Road
 Waynesboro, VA

Daniel 1: 1-7
1:1    In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah came Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon unto Jerusalem, and besieged it.
1:2    And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, with part of the vessels of the house of God: which he carried into the land of Shinar to the house of his god; and he brought the vessels into the treasure house of his god.
1:3    And the king spake unto Ashpenaz the master of his eunuchs, that he should bring certain of the children of Israel, and of the king's seed, and of the princes;
1:4    Children in whom was no blemish, but well favoured, and skilful in all wisdom, and cunning in knowledge, and understanding science, and such as had ability in them to stand in the king's palace, and whom they might teach the learning and the tongue of the Chaldeans.
1:5    And the king appointed them a daily provision of the king's meat, and of the wine which he drank: so nourishing them three years, that at the end thereof they might stand before the king.
1:6    Now among these were of the children of Judah, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah:
1:7    Unto whom the prince of the eunuchs gave names: for he gave unto Daniel the name of Belteshazzar; and to Hananiah, of Shadrach; and to Mishael, of Meshach; and to Azariah, of Abednego.

 

Lessons In The Lion’s Den: Interruptions Leading To Opportunities

Daniel 1:1-7

 

Because the Book of Daniel speaks concerning end time events it is viewed as the Apocalypse (an unveiling) of the Old Testament.

·         However, it is a loss to the Bible  student who merely sees Daniel as a predictor of the future

FRIENDS - Daniel holds valuable lessons for today!

·         Let’s call them, “Lessons From The Lion’s Den … To Be Or Not To Be Eaten.”

For the next several weeks the Book of Daniel will encourage us to stand strong in integrity, faith, and loyalty to God.

 

READ: Daniel 1:1-7

 

It is my prayer that these lessons will challenge us to change the way we see our problems, circumstances, and situations.

·         Some call it a paradigm shift

Paradigm = an example that serves as a pattern or model

·         In a more general sense, it’s the way we “see” the world – not in terms of our visual sense of sight

·         But in terms of perceiving, understanding, and interpreting.

 

A paradigm shift is to change the way we view and react to our circumstances and problems.

·         We need - and want - a paradigm shift that needs to be Biblical

FRIENDS – I SUBMIT TO YOU TODAY THAT:

·         Basing our perspectives and reaction to life upon God’s Word is the shift we need.

·         Daniel’s life provides us with the paradigm – a model, pattern or example to live successfully.

 

Daniel was forced into a culture that was totally pagan.

·         The culture tried to brainwash him – pressure him to compromise his loyalty to God

·         They even threatened him with death

·         Yet in the midst of his daily struggles, Daniel remained committed to God.

·         His paradigm is one that we should study and follow!

There is one thing about life you learn quickly from childhood up:

·         Pain is inevitable!

·         Tim Hansel in his book, “you Gotta Keep Dancin” says “Pain is inevitable; misery is optional.”

FRIENDS – When you find yourself in painful, difficult or compromising circumstances do you view them as interruptions or opportunities?

·         Before you answer that question let’s begin the paradigm shift and see who Daniel was

WHO WAS DANIEL?

Daniel had everything going for him. The guy was loaded! He had it all!

1.       Good looking – healthy (every girls dream)

2.      Gifted in wisdom – A+ student

3.      Possessed knowledge & quick to understand – application

4.      Socially accepted – relative to the king of Judah – the in crowd

5.      He was every teachers, coach, and girls dream.

6.      Daniel would have been voted “The most likely to succeed” in any graduating class.

7.      He was a young man with a great future ahead of him.

FRIENDS - What’s even more incredible is with all these great attributes and skills, Daniel was a humble guy.

·         In other words – he did not get a fat head!

HOWEVER – Daniel’s future was going to take a paradigm shift to make the most of it.

·         The same goes for you and me!

INTERRUPTIONS IN LIFE

How many times were you interrupted today?

·         Do you ever feel like life is one big interruption?

·         Everything is going fine and then “BOOM” something interrupts all your plans.

JUDAH – The nation of Judah had everything going for them or so they thought.

·         After generations of warning from the mouths of prophets, God said: “Enough!” and judged the nation.

FRIENDS – The people wanted to enjoy the blessings and benefits of being God’s people, but they didn’t want to be bothered with the responsibilities to maintain the relationship.

·         Hosea 13:6 – “When I fed them, they were satisfied; when they were satisfied, they became proud; then they forgot Me.”

In 605 BC, God unleashed the superpower of the Babylonian army – led by King Nebuchadnezzar, a ruthless man at heart.

·         Daniel, along with other young men who had a “future” was carried off to Babylon.

FRIENDS – Life doesn’t turn out the way most of us plan.

·         Trust me – Babylonian captivity was not what Daniel had in his mind for his life.

·         He had things going in the right direction, and BOOM a big interruption!

WHY?

Why would God allow a good guy like Daniel to be taken captive?

·         When a nation wallows in sin, everyone suffers

·         God had a specific purpose in mind for Daniel

·         You could say Daniel was in for a career change!

 

GOD’S SOVERIEGNTY: GOD IS IN CONTROL!

God’s sovereignty moves toward a particular end – a specific purpose!

·         Philippians 2:13 – “For it is God who works in you both to will and to do His good pleasure.”

FRIENDS – God is always at work behind the scenes of our lives silently and invisibly.

·         He knows what is happening and has it under control even when we are not sure what is going on

·         There are no interruptions for God!

 

The common answer man gives to such interruptions is: “Get used to them!”

·         God has a particular end in mind!

 

DOOR OF OPPORTUNITY

Daniel discovered that there is opportunity in interruptions. On his way to Babylon and while in Babylon Daniel could have:

  1. Pouted – Why Me?
  2. Kicked and Screamed – I’m not going!
  3. Questioned God’s goodness – If God is good?
  4. Blamed others

 

But Daniel committed himself to his God and continued to do good. Now that is a paradigm shift!
Daniel was somewhere between the age of 14-17 when he was taken into captivity.

·         I find Daniel’s character, commitment, and behavior amazing!

·         For the simple fact that I remember when I was that age – not to mention 20, 30, or 40!

FRIENDS - “The quickest way to lose perspective in life is to focus on the problem rather than the problem solver!

·         No matter how big the problem – God’s power, grace, and sovereignty are bigger

·         Daniel moved out on the realm of interruption and walked through the door of opportunity

WE CAN TOO!

·         That’s the paradigm shift

·         With God’s help we can walk through the door of opportunity in the midst of our interruptions

ACCEPT INTERRUPTIONS

Rabbi Harold Kushner in his book “When Bad Things Happen To Good People,” states, “Life is not fair. The wrong people get sick. And the wrong people get robbed. And the wrong people get killed in wars and in accidents.”

FRIENDS – It is true! Life is not fair!

·         But then again – Jesus never said we who follow Him would be treated fairly.

·         So don’t pout!

John 16:33 – “I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world!”

·         Don’t be taken back when you encounter trials in this life

·         Look for the door of opportunity!

GOD INTENDS FOR GOOD

Men and women for ages have gotten themselves hung up on who is the source of their problem.

KNOW THIS CHURCH – “God intends to work good in your life!’

·         Romans 8:28 – “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.”

In every difficulty Satan wants to interrupt our lives so that we will sin.

·         When life is filled with pain and questions, Satan desires to twist the pain into bitterness.

I resist the confession of my own sin, the longer I wait for God’s refreshing.”

Daniel 9:4-6 - Daniel could have blamed others, but not only did he not blame, later he humbly identified himself with the sin of his people before God

 

CLOSE

WHAT’S THE BIG DEAL?

No matter where we are headed or how fast we are to get there – interruptions come!

·         And with each interruption God provides a door of opportunity to walk through

THAT’S THE BIG DEAL!

 

God seldom chooses to use an individual in that He doesn’t first take them through a time of adversity to mold and make them His man or woman.

·         Proverbs 24:10 – “If you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small.”

FRIENDS – Look at your adversities as adventures

·         Adventures of God working in your life to prove you genuine

 

Pouting over interruptions?

Kicking and screaming?

Questioning God’s goodness?

Blaming others?

Let God take you from interruptions to the door of opportunity and then walk through it by faith.

 

WELL – Our lessons from Daniel are going to challenge us into a paradigm shift from asking why to seeing God investing in our lives.

 

Prayer – “Lord, many of us today are in the lion’s den about to have our lunch eaten.

Interruptions plague us and we’ve questioned Your goodness to us.

Give us that Biblical paradigm shift that allows us to view You working in us and for us.

Give us the victory in the Lion’s den!    AMEN!

 

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