(Read Daniel 2:48-49)
This morning we continue our series, “Grace that is Simply Amazing” by continuing our mini-series entitled, “Grace Based Success (Prosperity)”. In our last message we looked at the 48th verse. Today we will go back to verse 48 and also look at 49, as we seek to understand God’s will concerning divine influence in the earth.
The Bible says, “Then the king gave Daniel a very important job in his kingdom and gave him many expensive gifts. Nebuchadnezzar made Daniel ruler over the whole province of Babylon and put him in charge of all the wise men of Babylon. Daniel asked the king to make Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego important officials over the province of Babylon. The king did as Daniel asked. Daniel himself became one of the important officials who was always near the king.”
So what does this mean to you today? A few things. But to understand the other points I need to drive home the main point first. Point 1 will help you understand points 2-4.
1. God has given the earth to humans to rule.
a) The Psalmist said, “Heaven belongs to the Lord, but he gave the earth to people” (Psalm 115:16 ERV).
b) Back in the beginning God said, “Now let’s make humans who will be like us. They will rule over all the fish in the sea and the birds in the air. They will rule over all the large animals and all the little things that crawl on the earth.” So God created humans in his own image. He created them to be like himself. He created them male and female. God blessed them and said to them, “Have many children. Fill the earth and take control of it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the air. Rule over every living thing that moves on the earth.” (Genesis 1:26-28 ERV).
c) God set up a system for humans to rule and dominate the earth. He remains overall King of all the kings and Lord of all the lords, but He honors the system He established.
d) Because God gave humans authority over the earth, when He seeks to operate in the earth, He honors His system and seeks to operate through humans.
e) When God wanted to freely operate in the earth, He would not violate the system He established, so He came as a human Himself. Once God was on the planet as a human, He lived His life as an example of how He expects humans to live – fully surrendered to the Father, hearing from heaven daily, and operating with supernatural power.
2. God seeks to expand His Kingdom influence in the earth through humans.
a) Nebuchadnezzar was a pagan king. Daniel was a Godly slave. God wanted to influence Babylon, so He anointed (empowered) Daniel to do what no other wise man in Babylon could do. This caused Daniel to get promoted.
b) Once Daniel was promoted and he had the king’s ear, God was able to influence Nebuchadnezzar and the entire kingdom through Daniel.
c) The first act Daniel performed with his new position was to promote Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. The Lord will elevate you to positions of increased influence, so you can make decisions that will expand His Kingdom influence throughout your organization.
d) With Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in positions of influence, God was able to influence an entire nation.
3. God wants to operate in your sphere of influence and He is seeking your cooperation.
a) Since you are not a puppet and God is not a puppet-master, for God to fully operate in your life, He seeks your cooperation.
b) What position has God given you and what influence does He expect to realize through you?
c) While it is clear that you need God, God also needs you. Let me clarify. God is God, so He can do whatever He wants. He can surely operate in the earth without you. But God has chosen to operate in the earth through humans. Therefore, He is looking for your cooperation. He does not need you to come up with the power. All He needs you to do is yield to His strength and grace.
4. God works IN you and then THROUGH you.
a) God works in you, as an individual, first. As you die to self God changes the way you see yourself, the way you see Him, and the way you see your future.
b) God does this so you can then become a tool through which He can influence the world.
c) The Kingdom of God is supposed to affect (with effects and influence), the people of the world and the systems of this world. This is what God did through Daniel and He will to do it through you. Not by your power, but by His grace.
Closing Confession: Father, I thank You for teaching me about Your grace and my requirement to live by faith. By grace You have planned to use me for Your glory. When You look at me, You see the plans You made for me before the world began. You see my divine assignment, You see all the people You want to reach through me, You see the Kingdom influence You want to have through me, and You see the Kingdom impact I was born to make. But in order for me to have influence in this world, I need to have positions and relationships of influence. So You open doors for me that no man can close. You close doors for me that no man can open. You see to it that I get promoted and placed in positions of great influence. You do this so YOU can have influence in my organization. I am blessed, but I don’t take The Blessing just for me. I know I am Blessed TO BE a blessing. Through me, my entire sphere of influence is blessed. You put me in the right positions, You give me the words to say, and You perform the work. You do what I cannot do, You do it through me, and You do it for Your glory! So Father, I enter this day and every day determined to extend Kingdom influence to all those I am called to reach. I will change the world before I leave it! But not by my power… only by Your grace! It’s You, working through me, to leave a mark that will never be erased! I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper.
