(Read Daniel 6:19-22)
This morning we continue our series, “Grace that is Simply Amazing” by continuing our mini-series entitled, “Grace Based Success (Prosperity)”. We spent most of last week on verses 17 and 18 of Daniel chapter six. We saw how King Darius was genuinely concerned for Daniel. So much so, that the king would not eat and he could not sleep, because he was thinking of Daniel in the lion’s den. Let’s pick up the story from there.
The Bible says, “The next morning, King Darius got up just as it was getting light and ran to the lions’ den. He was very worried. When he got to the lions’ den, he called to Daniel. He said, “Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God been able to save you from the lions? You always serve your God.” Daniel answered, “King, live forever! My God sent his angel to save me. The angel closed the lions’ mouths. The lions have not hurt me because my God knows I am innocent. I never did anything wrong to you, King.”
So what does this mean to you today? For the purposes of today’s message I will focus in on the fact that Daniel said, “I never did anything wrong.” Daniel was not reaping a bad harvest for something he did wrong. No, Daniel was taking a stand for God and he was facing punishment for it. Since Daniel stood for God, God stood for him. This reminds me of something Paul faced in the New Testament. Paul was facing a difficult situation and three times he asked God to relieve him of the situation, but God did not. When Paul realized he was facing what he faced “For Christ’s sake”, he found peace and he was able to tap into God’s amazing grace (see 2 Cor 12:10). So, flowing in that thought — facing something for Christ’s sake — let’s seek to glean a few golden nuggets.
1. There is a difference between suffering for Christ and reaping what you have sown. If you sow bad seed you will reap a bad harvest and you will have to acknowledge the fact that you were the cause of the challenge. However, if are facing opposition for doing the RIGHT thing, then you are not the cause and God will provide you supernatural protection. God shut the mouths of the lions for Daniel and He will also protect you!
2. God gives you grace to face whatever you are facing. God loves you and as a loving Father He carefully watches over you to ensure you have enough grace to face whatever you are facing. If you are facing it, then God has already given you the grace for it. Daniel had been through a lot, but he had never faced lions. However, the same God who gave him the grace to face kings, gave him the grace to face lions. God will give you the grace what whatever the enemy puts in front of you!
3. Bigger challenges mean more grace. Many times we ask God for LESS CHALLENGE and instead of giving us what we ask for, God gives us MORE GRACE. That’s what God did in the New Testament with the Apostle Paul. Paul faced seemingly insurmountable challenges, but everytime he did, God gave him more grace. Instead of lowering the bar on the challenges, God raised the bar on His grace and Paul was able to triumph over every challenge and overcome every obstacle. So if you are facing something harder than you have ever faced, know that God has given you access to another level of His grace.
4. Bigger challenges mean God trusts you with more. God will not allow you to face something you cannot handle. Therefore, if you are facing it, it is evidence that God trusts you with it and that you have the grace for it. I am sure there was a time when Daniel could not have faced the lion’s den, but then again, God would not have allowed him to face it before he was ready. The fact that Daniel was facing it, is evidence that God’s trusted him with it. The same can be said of you. If you are facing it, God trusts you with it, and His grace is ON you to overcome it.
5. Bigger challenges mean you are making a difference. Satan only attacks those worth attacking. Daniel faced a great attack because he had a great assignment and because he was operating in great grace. It’s the same with you. If satan constantly attacks you, it is only because you are making a difference in this world.
6. Understanding grace helps you become perfected in weakness. God is only able to allow you to face bigger challenges when you die to self and rely on His grace. Daniel did not try to fight the lions. Daniel relied on God and His grace. When you get to the point where you have died to self, God will show you what to do and what not to do, what you have a grace for and what He will do for you. This is how God’s grace is perfected in your weakness.
7. When the challenges come, GET EXCITED. When you understand grace you don’t cower at challenges, you get excited about the fact that God has allowed you to face it, and that it will be a great testimony when it’s over. If this episode had never happened for Daniel we would never have the story of Daniel and lion’s den. The greater the test, the greater the testimony!
Closing Confession: Father, I thank You for teaching me about Your grace and my requirement to live by faith. My understanding of Your grace is changing the way I look at challenges. Instead of bowing my head, and saying, “Woe is me!,” when I face a challenge, I now get excited because I know I have the grace to face it. You will never allow me to face something that You have not already graced me to face, so if I am facing it, I can take it, You trust me with it, and I will overcome it by Your grace. Therefore, by faith I declare that I am not moved by what I see. I trust You Father and You trust me. The more I die to self, the more I am able to access and experience Your grace, and the more You are able to accomplish in the earth through me. Satan is not going to idly sit by and watch me maximize my purpose and potential in life. Satan will do all he can to stop me. But the greater the challenges get, the more grace You give me, and the more excited I get about the experiences I will have in You. I give thanks unto You Father, for You always give me the victory through my Lord, Jesus the Christ! You do this by Your grace. You do this for Your glory! I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper.
