(Read Daniel 6:23)
This morning we continue our series, “Grace that is Simply Amazing” by continuing our mini-series entitled, “Grace Based Success (Prosperity)”. For the last few days we looked at verses 19-22 of Daniel chapter six. We saw how King Darius reluctantly sent Daniel to the lion’s den, how God sent an angel to close the mouths of the lions, and how Daniel was still alive the next day. Let’s pick up the story from there.
The Bible says, “King Darius was very happy. He told his servants to lift Daniel out of the lions’ den. And when Daniel was lifted out of the den, they did not find any injury on his body. The lions did not hurt Daniel because he trusted in his God.”
So what does this mean to you today? A few things.
1. Trust God’s plan.
a) When Daniel was going into the lion’s den I am sure he had to think, “God has a plan”. Daniel was born for a purpose and God had been using Daniel mightily for years. It did not seem fit his life to end like this. Daniel still had purpose inside of him, he still had things he was destined to accomplish, so the lion’s den could not kill him. God had a plan. Daniel did not know what it was, but God had a plan. That’s where trust comes in. Do you trust God, even when you don’t know what He is doing?
b) It’s great when God tells you what He is going to do. When God reveals His plans to you, you can have faith. But when He doesn’t, you can still have trust. You can trust God when you know He loves you, you know He made plans for you before the world began, and you know He is committed to those plans.
c) You can’t be in-trust or in-faith and in-worry at the same time. If you are worrying it is an indication that you don’t trust God. But if you fully trust Him there is a perfect peace – which is actually written in scripture as “peace peace” – that is available for you (see Isa 26:3).
d) God made plans for you and He won’t take them back. Let’s look at something Paul said in his letter to the church in Rome and let’s look at it from three different translations:
(Romans 11:29 ERV) God never changes his mind about the people he calls. He never decides to take back the blessings he has given them.
(Romans 11:29 MSG) God’s gifts and God’s call are under full warranty—never canceled, never rescinded.
(Romans 11:29 NIV) For God’s gifts and his call are irrevocable.
e) No matter what you are facing this morning, trust God’s plan!
2. Trust God’s protection.
a) If God called you to change the world, then you are going to be attacked. Satan is not going to idly sit by and watch as you glorify God.
b) Dr. Mike Murdock said, “Attack is the proof that your enemy anticipates your success.” Daniel was in the lion’s den because the enemy anticipated all he was going to do under the Darius regime. You are attacked for the same reasons.
c) The enemy’s poison cannot stop your purpose. Satan’s attack is never stronger than God’s divine protection.
d) Daniel trusted God and God sent an angel to close the mouths of the lions. But that does not mean they could not have clawed him to death! Not only did God protect Daniel from the lion’s mouths, but he protected him from the lions completely. The Bible says, “Daniel was lifted out of the den, they did not find any injury on his body.” This reminds me of the time the Hebrew Boys came out of the fiery furnace. Not only were they not burned, but they did not even smell like smoke!
e) No matter what you are facing this morning, trust God’s protection!
3. Trust God’s grace.
a) Sometimes God is SO good to us that we have a hard time accepting the enormity of His plans and the overwhelming nature of His blessings. I am sure Daniel thought to himself, “Why is God so good to me?” The simple answer is: GRACE!
b) God’s plans for your life are big and you will often feel unworthy. But God doesn’t expect you to earn what He wants to do you in your life. He made His plans for you by grace and all you must do is believe them and walk them out by faith.
c) For some this morning God is saying, “I want to deliver you from your situation”, for others it’s, “I want to promote you to the next level”, or “I want to use you for my glory”. Whatever your situation is, my point is the same: God wants to bless you because He WANTS to bless you! God wants to be good to you because HE IS GOOD! Settle the issue of God’s grace in your heart.
d) No matter what you are facing this morning, trust God’s grace!
Closing Confession: Father, I thank You for teaching me about Your grace and my requirement to live by faith. You made plans for me before the world began and I trust You will ensure those plans come to pass. I sometimes question how, and when, and if, but by faith I release those questions and I simply trust You. As you reveal things to me, I quickly submit to them, even when I don’t fully understand HOW they will come to pass. When I understand, I exercise faith for what You have revealed to me. When I don’t understand, I simply trust You and Your plans. No matter what, I will never walk away from You, nor will I lower my expectations of Your best in my life. Your favor goes before me like a shield. You provide supernatural protection for me daily. You keep me from secret traps and deadly diseases. You do all of this because You love me. I trust Your Grace. You knew all the mistakes I was going to make, and You called me anyway! So instead of being condemned by satan when I make mistakes, I shall be convicted by the Holy Spirit — convicted of the righteousness Christ Jesus died to give me. I am righteous by faith and I shall never wallow in condemnation. I embrace Your grace, I believe Your love, and I trust You every day of my life! I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper.
