This morning we continue our series, “Grace that is Simply Amazing” by continuing our mini-series entitled, “Grace Based Success (Prosperity)”. We have studied the life of Daniel for the past few months. This is the last message about him in this series. What I will do today is share with you what I think Daniel would say if we had a chance to spend a few minutes with him towards the end of his life.
So what does this mean to you today? I imagine Daniel would teach us:
- Life doesn’t always pan out the way you planned, but you must learn to adjust and take what God gives you. Daniel would say, “I never thought I would be a slave. But when my nation was overtaken and I wound up a slave, I initially thought my life was over. But God was still with me, He had still had plans for me, and He still wanted me to work with Him to see those plans come to pass.”
I don’t know what you planned for your life. I don’t know what curveballs life has thrown you. But what I do know is that you are still alive and if you are still breathing, if there is still blood flowing through your veins and air through your lungs, then God is not through with you. Shake off disappointment, adjust to what God wants to do now, and press forward. God is still God, He is still on the throne and He still has plans for you!
- Don’t be afraid of asking God or man for what you want. Daniel would say, “When I wound up a slave, I prayed and asked God for direction and favor. When I was given unclean food to eat, I mustered up the courage to ask my captors for a special diet. When the guards came to kill me, I was bold enough to ask King Nebuchadnezzar for more time to seek God for the interpretation of his dream. You have not because you ask not.”
Don’t let false humility keep you from asking God or man for what you really desire. True humility is controlled confidence; the type of confidence that emboldens you to ask for the burning desires of your heart. When you understand Godly humility, you can be humble and bold at the same time. So ask — ask in-faith, without a doubt — and watch God move on your behalf.
- Resist the temptation to complain. Daniel would say, “I could have complained about becoming a slave, getting death threats from King Nebuchadnezzar, King Belshazzar’s attitude, King Darius’ gullible nature, or the fact that I wound up in the lion’s den. But complaining won’t get you anywhere.”
Don’t waste valuable time companing. Successful believers don’t necessarily like the challenges they face, but they certainly don’t waste time, energy or effort complaining about them.
- Resist the urge to quit. Daniel would say, “I can’t tell you how many times I wanted to quit. Sometimes it seemed like the harder I worked, the stronger the opposition came. But I never gave up. I never threw in the towel. I felt the urge to quit, but I had to resist it. Had I quit I would have never done what God called me to do and it would not be God’s fault!”
If you are going to accomplish anything of significance in this world, you will face opposition and you will feel the urge to quit. Resist the urge. Take control of your feelings. Press on. Never give up, cave in or quit. If you do, you will miss out on God’s best and it won’t be God’s fault.
- Never count out God. Daniel would say, “There were many times when I thought my life was over. I had no power over the Babylonians. I had no human hope in many of the situations I faced. But where there is no human hope, Godly hope remains. Never underestimate what God can do. He did it for me and He can do it for you!”
If God is still alive, then you still have hope. Where human hope ends, God’s grace can kick in and do what no man can do. Keep hope alive. You can never be counted OUT if God is counted IN!
- Pray every day. Daniel would say, “What kept me going was prayer. I prayed every day. I developed a routine to pray three times a day, I stuck to my routine, and my quiet time with God is what kept me going.”
The time you spend with God in private, in your prayer closet, it absolutely critical. Private prayer is the key to public success.
- Do everything with a spirit of excellence. Daniel would say, “God is an excellent God. You are called by His name. You represent Him. You must represent Him in an excellent way. Do everything as if you were doing it for God; even if no one else is around. Because others may not be watching, but God is!”
God is always there. He watches everything you do. He notices when you cut corners. He knows when your heart is not in your work. He pays attention to every detail. So do what you do with a Spirit of Excellence because an Excellent God lives in you!
Closing Confession: Father, I thank You for teaching me about Your grace and my requirement to live by faith. You have taught me a great deal from the life of Daniel. You took the time to document the lives of those who went before me, so their lives can serve as a witness for me. I learn from Daniel. My life has not turned out the way I originally planned. I had a plan, but You had a plan, and Your plans and purposes will always prevail. But I don’t complain about the shift and I won’t complain about the challenges. I will keep pressing, keep moving, keep going, and I will never give up. I am never counted OUT of any situation You are counted IN. I don’t underestimate Your power. There is NOTHING You can’t do. I put my trust in You. I have the courage to ask You and man for the desires of my heart. I pray every day, and throughout the day. And I do everything with a spirit of excellence, because You are an excellent God and You LIVE IN ME! Living this way, I am confident that I will arrive at Your final destination for my life and along the way I will leave a mark that cannot easily be erased! I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper.
