(Read Daniel 6:12-14)
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 the spies who wanted to find something wrong with Daniel found exactly what they were looking for. Daniel unashamedly prayed three times a day to his God, just like he had always done. Today we pick up the story from there, as the spies reported Daniel’s activity to the king.
The Bible says, “They said, “King Darius, you signed a law that says, for the next 30 days anyone who prays to any god or man except you, the king, would be thrown into the lions’ den. You did sign that law, didn’t you?” The king answered, “Yes, I signed that law, and the laws of the Medes and Persians cannot be canceled or changed.” Then they said to the king, “That man Daniel is not paying any attention to you. He is one of the captives from Judah, and he is not paying attention to the law you signed. Daniel still prays to his God three times every day.”
Darius was faced with a difficult situation. The king loved Daniel and appreciated what the Judean was doing for Babylon. But Darius also knew the Laws of the Medes and Persians could not be changed. So the Bible says, “The king became very sad and upset. He decided to save Daniel. He worked until sunset trying to think of a way to save him.”
So what does this mean to you today? A couple of things.
1. God can give you favor with Him and with man.
a) Favor can do more in a minute than labor can do in a lifetime! Divine favor can have doors opened for you that no man can close and doors closed that no man can open. I have experienced, and continue to experience the favor of God. It is both awesome and humbling. It’s awesome because time and time again I see God move upon the hearts of others to use their power, their ability, and their influence to help me in ways I cannot help myself. This is exactly what God did for Daniel with King Darius. And it is very humbling when you realize God is doing far more for you than you have ever done for Him. That’s grace!
b) King Darius worked all day trying to figure out a way to help Daniel. The king realized he had been tricked into signing the law and he tried his best to get Daniel out of the bind he was in. King Darius did not have to do anything for Daniel, but he tried his best to help him, because Daniel had favor with the king. When the favor of God is working in your life people will work tirelessly to help you in ways you cannot help yourself.
c) The favor of God will cause your boss to look for ways to promote you ahead of schedule. It will cause people to go out of their way to find way to help you. People will rack their brains for hours until they figure out what they can do in your favor. I am a witness. I have seen it time and time again.
2. God gives you favor with others because you will need help in order to fulfill your divine purpose.
a) Your divine assignment is far too big for you to accomplish without help. Daniel needed the help of three different kings. Joseph needed the help of Potiphar, the warden and Pharaoh. Elisha needed Elijah, Ruth needed Naomi, Paul needed Barnabas, and the list can go on. God’s assignment for your life is too big for you to accomplish on your own. So God gives you favor with the people you will need in order to maximize your purpose and potential.
b) In “The 17 Indisputable Laws of Teamwork” John Maxwell said, “One is too small a number to achieve greatness.” He calls this “The Law of Significance.” His point is that nothing truly significant can be achieved by just one person. Even when one person makes it to the top of Mount Everest, they did not make it there without a team of people behind them. So if you are going to become all that God desires for you to be, it will require the wisdom and support of others. That’s why God will give you favor with them.
c) Don’t allow pride or ego to keep you from accepting favor. You can’t do everything on your own. You will need help and that is why God gives you favor. Just don’t allow yourself to be foolish enough to turn the favor away.
We will close out the message a little different today. Today’s closing prayer/declaration will come with the accompanying scripture references.
Prayer for Favor with God and Man:
Father, I come to you in the name of Your dear Son Jesus, my Savior, and the Apostle and High Priest over my profession. What I profess today is Your Word concerning divine favor (Heb 3:1).
Like Joseph and Daniel, I prosper in every place and in every situation, because You are always with me. Your presence brings with it Your power, protection, and peace. I thank You for blessing me to experience preferential treatment everywhere I go. You raise up people who use their power, their ability, and their influence to help me in ways I cannot help myself (Gen 39:1-6, 21, Daniel 6:14).
I choose to associate with those who are wise, blessed, and highly favored. Wisdom is transferred by association and my association with these people promotes increase in every area of my life (Prov 13:20, Gen 30:27).
You Father, made Jesus to be sin for me, that I might be made the righteousness of God in Him. As the righteousness of God, I declare that I am highly favored in Your sight (2 Cor 5:21, Psalm 5:12; Prov 14:9).
I operate with integrity and I seek to do good in Your sight daily. As a result, I obtain Your favor and I experience Your best! (Prov 11:27; 12:2).
I walk in Your Word daily. Your Word is the ruler by which I judge every decision. Your wisdom is the guide for my life. By seeking Your wisdom and not my own, I receive Your favor in every area of my life (Prov 3:1-4; 8:33-35).
Your favor is life and it endures for a lifetime (Psalm 30:5 AMP). My enemies cannot triumph over me because of Your favor upon my life (Psalm 41:11). You Father, surround and protect me with favor like a shield (Psalm 5:12).
I am ready for this day and I am confident that Your Favor will go ahead me and prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies (Psalm 23:5). Favor can do more in a minute than labor can do in a lifetime, and I have confidence that Your favor is ON me, IN me, WITH me and FOR me! I have great expectations for this day and for the rest of my life. Thank You Father for releasing Your favor over me, by Your grace and for Your glory! I receive divine favor and walk in it daily. I declare all these things in Jesus’ name, Amen.
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper.
