(Read Daniel 6:6-7)
This morning we continue our series, “Grace that is Simply Amazing” by continuing our mini-series entitled, “Grace Based Success (Prosperity)”. When Daniel’s enemies could not find anything wrong with his conduct or character, when it was clear to them that he was not breaking the rules, they got together to change the rules.
The Bible says, “So the other vice-regents, along with the satraps went as a group to the king. They said, “King Darius, live forever! The supervisors, prefects, satraps, advisors, and governors have all agreed on something. We think that the king should make this law and that everyone must obey it: For the next 30 days, whoever prays to any god or man except you, King, will be thrown into the lions’ den.” It will stop here for today, because there is enough there to focus on.
So what does this mean to you today? A few things.
1. The enemy will mobilize and unify his people against God’s favored.
a) Daniel had the favor of God on his life. Another way to say this is: Daniel was God’s favorite. If you believe the favor of God is on your life you should say, “I am God’s favorite child. The favor of God goes before me like a shield.”
b) When you walk in the favor of God, the enemy will get so frustrated with God’s Blessing on your life that he will build a coalition of opposition against you.
c) The Babylonian supervisors, prefects, satraps, advisors, and governors probably never all agreed on anything, but they all came together, in perfect agreement, to come against Daniel.
2. Successful believers expect opposition.
a) Daniel was not phased when opposition was formed against him. I believe he expected it.
b) If you are going to do anything big; if you believe God is going to use you to change the world; if you are going to leave a mark on this world that will never be erased; then you must also expect opposition along the way.
c) You should be flattered, not frustrated, by opposition. If the enemy has to build a coalition to go against you, then that says something about the grace of God on your life. Don’t be frustrated by it. Their poison can’t stop your purpose. Simply take it as a compliment – as a testament of the significance of your divine assignment.
3. No weapon formed against you will prosper.
a) This trick backfired on the Babylonians, just like the attack on Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. If the devil knew any better he would leave you alone. The more he attacks you, the stronger you get.
b) The Bible says, “People will make weapons to fight against you, but their weapons will not defeat you. Some people will say things against you, but anyone who speaks against you will be proven wrong.” (Isaiah 54:17). The King James Version says, “No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper.”
c) God never said the weapon would not be formed, He just said it would not prosper.
d) Weapons will be formed against you, coalitions of opposition may unite against you, but in the end YOU ALWAYS WIN!
e) If it is true that “No weapon formed against you shall prosper”, (and it is true), then if the weaponed formed is actually prospering, it must NOT be against you. It is going to work out FOR YOUR GOOD!
4. Change your perspective of opposition.
a) Expect the enemy to come against you because you have a great assignment.
b) Take it as a compliment when the enemy goes out of his way to unify people against you. You must be very special for him to spend so much time thinking you.
c) Don’t be moved by anything that comes against you. Only allow yourself to be moved by God’s plans and purposes for your life.
d) See every challenge as another opportunity for a testimony. We would never have the story of “Daniel and the lion’s den”, if these people had not formed a coalition of opposition against him.
e) You will never know God as a healer if you never get sick. You will never know God to be your true provider if you never need anything. You will never know God as your divine protector if you never come under attack. So when the enemy attacks you, see it as another opportunity to develop a testimony!
Closing Confession: Father, I thank You for teaching me about Your grace and my requirement to live by faith. I walk, live, pray, fight, and overcome the world by faith; and I am able to do it because of Your amazing grace. Your favor is all over me. Your favor goes before me like a shield. I am Your favorite. I get up every morning with a smile on my face because of Your goodness and kindness towards me. I am SO blessed that I am on satan’s radar. He follows my life carefully, because he is frustrated by the favor You bestow upon me. The enemy is so upset with me and my divine purpose that he forms coalitions of opposition against me. But I am not moved by the opposition. I am only moved by Your Word, Your Spirit, and Your purpose for my life. The more the enemy attacks me, the stronger I get and the greater the testimonies I have. No weapon formed against me shall prosper. So if the weapon formed is actually prospering, then it must not be against me. It is going to work out for my good. In the end I ALWAYS WIN! Not because I am so good, but because You Are – only because of Your amazing grace. I enter this day with the proper perspective of opposition. I am flattered, not frustrated, by opposition, because I have learned that the greater the assignment, the greater the attack! It’s just that the attack will never defeat me! I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper.
