(Read Daniel 6:26-28)
This morning we continue our series, “Grace that is Simply Amazing” by continuing our mini-series entitled, “Grace Based Success (Prosperity)”. Yesterday we saw how Daniel’s accusers were eaten by the same lions that refused to eat him. Today we will look at the final verses of Daniel 6.
The Bible says, “I am making a new law. This law is for people in every part of my kingdom. All of you must fear and respect the God of Daniel. Daniel’s God is the living God; he lives forever. His kingdom will never be destroyed. His rule will never end. God helps and saves people. He does amazing miracles in heaven and on earth. He saved Daniel from the lions. So Daniel was successful during the time Darius was king and when Cyrus the Persian was king.”
So what does this mean to you today? I have a lot to say about this passage. It will take me a few days. For this today I will focus on the fact that Daniel was tested and he came out of the other side of the test very successful.
1. Daniel was tested. The lion’s den served as a major test for Daniel. He could have allowed his heart to fear, but he resisted fear. He could have complained to God about the situation, but he resisted the temptation to complain. He went into the lion’s den trusting God and he came out of the lion’s den a proven man on another level.
2. You must be tested. You must be proven. You must DIE TO SELF to the point where you are ready to become the person God called you to be. Daniel did not attempt to fight the lion’s with his own strength. He died to self, relied on God, and God saw him through it.
3. Everyone is tested – the successful one pass. Daniel had to overcome the lion’s den in order to become the person He was called to be. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego had to endure and ovecome the fiery furnace. For Moses it was 40 years in the desert, thinking he had disqualified himself from his assignment. For David it was over 10 years in exile, living on the run like a fugitive. For Joseph it was 13 years as a slave, serving potiphar and then in prison. For Paul was it was three years in isolation, learning from his past and preparing for his future. For Jesus it was 40 days in the wilderness, fasting and being tempted of satan. I don’t know what it is for you, but your testimony most certainly has a “test” component to it. You will never become the man/woman God has called you to be if you are not willing to embrace the grace of God to face, fight and overcome every challenge that comes your way! I am not saying that you have to pass the test with your power (because you probably can’t), but I am saying you CAN pass the test with God’s grace.
4. The secret is dying to self and yielding to God and His grace.
a) God will allow you to experience whatever you need to experience in order to develop Godly character.
b) When you get to the point where you are broken, when you have DIED TO SELF, when you have decreased and you are ready for God to flow through you, then and only then will you experience the life you were born to live.
c) God is not going to compete with you, His strength will only flow through your weakness.
d) God is not looking for the ability of your mind or the strength of your back, He is only looking for the condition of your heart. Daniel’s heart was right, so God was able to get him promoted under the regimes of four different kings. Is your heart right? When your heart is aligned with God’s heart, there is no limit to what God will do through you. That’s why the testing is important. The tests help to develop the condition of your heart.
Closing Confession: Father, I thank You for teaching me about Your grace and my requirement to live by faith. By faith I accept the plans You made for me before the world began. By faith I develop into the person You called me to be. My character is developed as I am tested. I am learning to DIE TO SELF and to allow You to freely flow through me. By faith I get to the point where I know my life is about You, Your plans for me, Your grace, and Your power. By faith I decrease, that You may increase in and through me. I am ready for every test, because I will not attempt to pass them with my strength, power or ability. I shall pass every test by Your grace. So here I am Father — all that I am and all that I am not, is all yours. I give myself over to You, and I ask You to develop me into the person You birthed me to be. My success will not come with more trying. My success will come with more dying. Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego, Moses, David, Paul, and Jesus all had to pass tests. I know I am not exonerated. But just like them, I shall pass with my faith and Your grace. And as I do, as I DIE TO SELF, You flow through me, You use me for Your glory, You accomplish Your Kingdom plans and purposes for my life, and You change the world through me. Not because I am so good, but only because You are… only because of Your amazing GRACE! I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper.
