(Read Daniel 3:1-6)
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 closing verses of Daniel chapter 2. Today we cross over into chapter 3.
The Bible says, “King Nebuchadnezzar had a gold idol made that was 60 cubits high and 6 cubits wide. Then he set the idol up on the plain of Dura in the province of Babylon. Then he called the satraps, prefects, governors, advisors, treasurers, judges, rulers, and all the other officials in his kingdom to come together. He wanted all of them to come to the dedication ceremony for the idol.
So all the men came and stood in front of the idol that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up. Then the man who makes announcements for the king spoke in a loud voice, “All you people from many nations and language groups, listen to me. This is what you are commanded to do: You must bow down as soon as you hear the sound of all the musical instruments. When you hear the horns, flutes, lyres, sambucas, harps, bagpipes, and all the other musical instruments, you must worship the gold idol. King Nebuchadnezzar has set this idol up. Whoever does not bow down and worship this gold idol will immediately be thrown into a very hot furnace.”
So what does this mean to you today? A few things.
1. When The Blessing comes, get ready for the opposition.
a) In the previous chapter king Nebuchadnezzar fell down on his face to honor Daniel and worship his God.
b) Nebuchadnezzar acknowledged Daniel’s God as the true God.
c) Nebuchadnezzar promoted Daniel and allowed Daniel to promote Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.
d) Things seemed to be going great for the Hebrew boys in Babylon and then, in the very next chapter, king Nebuchadnezzar decided to build an idol the Hebrew boys could not worship, putting them in a difficult situation.
e) Don’t think satan is going to sit around and allow you to bask in The Blessing. When The Blessing comes, just know that opposition is not far behind.
2. God has already given you the grace to face difficult situations.
a) When God gave Daniel the interpretation of the dream and Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego the favor to get promoted, He already knew they would face a challenge with the idol.
b) The situation with the idol was not news to God. I hope it occurs to you that nothing occurs to God.
c) It’s not that God had to prepare Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego for the confrontation they would face concerning the idol, God had already prepared them for it. Everything they needed to confront Nebuchadnezzar and come out on top was ALREADY IN THEM!
d) God has already graced you to face everything you are facing, so you can come out victorious!
e) God will not allow you to face something He has not already given you the grace for!
3. God wants people who are led of Him to be in positions of authority.
a) Even though King Nebuchadnezzar had just honored Daniel and acknowledged his God, the king was never converted.
b) Because Nebuchadnezzar was not a follower of our God, he saw nothing wrong with erecting an idol to be worshipped.
c) When you have ungodly people in positions of authority, they routinely make decisions that violate God’s will.
d) To truly expand Kingdom influence in the earth, the Lord raises up His children to take positions of earthly authority. When they do, they establish earthly laws that line up with heavenly mandates.
e) Pray for God’s people to take positions of authority in the earth.
4. God raises up His children to influence leaders in key positions.
a) Even though King Nebuchadnezzar was not a follower of our God, God successfully placed His children in key positions around the king.
b) While it is better to actually hold the highest position, God also surrounds leaders in the earth with His children. He does this to influence the leaders and the organizations they lead.
c) If you are key leader in your organization, allow God to lead you as you seek to lead others.
d) If you are not the key leader, ask God to give you influence with leadership. God can give you favor to have your voice heard, so His will can be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
*** This is all about the grace of God. Take the pressure and spotlight off of you. Give yourself over to God to be used and He will use you to influence the people and systems of this world!
Closing Confession: Father, I thank You for teaching me about Your grace and my requirement to live by faith. I accept and yield to Your grace in every situation. I thank You for blessing me in ways that far exceed what I believe I deserve. You love me, You are good to me, and You bless me richly without measure. You shower Your blessing and favor on me continuously. I thank You for The Blessing and I know the enemy is not going to just sit around and watch as I enjoy Your best. Opposition will come, but the enemy’s poison cannot stop my purpose, because I am called and equipped by grace. No matter what I face, I have the grace to overcome it. When something surprises me, I find peace in knowing that it was not a surprise to You. You have already give me the grace the face anything that comes my way. You raise me up to positions of influence. You give me favor with key leaders. You give me the grace to lead. You give me wisdom that exceeds my experience and education. My life is all about You, Your grace and Your call. So I enter this day with my full confidence in You and what You have graced me to do. I enter every meeting, conversation and activity with confidence, knowing that You are ON me, IN me, WITH me and FOR me. There’s no way I can lose, because I operate in Your grace in every situation! I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper.
