Shutting the Lions mouth… (3 things)

• 1^st – The plot against Daniel… vs. 1-9
  • 1^st – Dividing the Empire… vs. 1-3
    • Cyrus was the first King of the Medo-Persia Empire – he conquered Babylon…
      • King Darius – the name means Lord – was a ruler in the Medo-Persian Empire…
      • But ‘Darius the Mede’ was not Darius I – who would later be the 4^th King…
      • He is thought to be the ruler Cyrus set up over the Babylonian empire – Daniel 9:1
    • Darius made the decision to divide the responsibilities of governing Babylon…
      • He set 120 satraps / or governors over the kingdom – to help with the responsibility…
      • Because there are only so many hours in a day – so much he could do on his own!
      • I knew a girl who know matter what you asked her to do – she would say yes…
      • She meant well – but the reality was – there was no way she could do it all!
      • Maybe it is because of pride – we think we are the only ones who can do the work…
      • Maybe it is trying to please men – thinking if we say no they will be upset…
      • Either way – when we try to do too much – we end up getting into a lot of trouble…
      • We end up burned out – tired – frustrated – likely unable accomplish anything!
      • We end up upsetting others – we are spread so thin we end up not getting anything done!
      • We keep others from being able to help out – because we do not give them the opportunity!
    • Over those 120 men – he set 3 men – and Daniel was one of them…
      • And the King thought to put Daniel over them all because he distinguished himself!
      • This was a new Kingdom – so his previous accomplishments likely counted for little…
      • The suggestion is that the same ‘excellent spirit’ Daniel had shown to Nebuchadnezzar…
      • He still had some 50 years later under the reign of a new King / empire!
      • Daniel did not just start well – he was a man who was consistent to the end!
        
      • The Christian life is like a race – with a beginning and end…
      • We began the race the day we believed in Jesus – it ends the day we die…
      • So often as believers we start off well in our race – but we do not finish well…
      • We treat it like a sprint – but after a while we get tired – distracted – and give up…
      • The Christian life is a not a sprint – it is a marathon…
      • Hebrews 12:1 – “[So] let us strip off every… sin that so easily hinders our progress. Let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.”
  • 2^nd – Looking for accusations… vs. 4-5
    • The other governors looked for something to accuse Daniel of…
      • Likely as not these leaders were jealous of the success / prosperity of Daniel…
      • But there was nothing they could accuse Daniel of – because he was faithful (he had faith)!
      • The only thing they could resort to – was to accuse him concerning his faith in God!
    • We need to know – when we stand up for Jesus – we are a target…
      • Luke 22:31 – “Simon, Satan has asked to have all of you, to sift you like wheat.”
      • I imagine those were VERY unsettling words to hear – ‘satan knows my name’…
      • But make no mistake – if we stand up for Jesus – satan knows who we are…
      • And he will come test us – try us – to see what we are made of…
      • Get people will make false accusation against us – try and discourage us!
    • All the more reason to be sure we are faithful in our walk with God…
      • I had a guy once accuse me of being unworthy to be a pastor because of past mistakes…
      • But that gave me the opportunity to share about what Jesus had done in my life!
      • Faithful does not mean we are perfect – no one is – we will make mistakes…
      • It means we have faith in God – trusting in Him / and the hope we have because of Him…
      • Then if anyone wants to make an accusation against us – we point them back to Jesus!
      • I Peter 2:12 – “Careful to live properly among our unbelieving neighbors. Then even if they accuse us of doing wrong, they will see our honorable behavior, and will give honor to God…”
  • 3^rd – Appealing to pride… vs. 6-9
    • The governors thronged into see the King – and began to butter him up – ‘Live forever’…
      • They suggested the King pass a law – signed in writing so it could not be changed…
      • No one could petition either man or god – except the King – for 30 days…
      • If they did they would immediately be thrown into the Lions den…
      • I am sure this also made a lot of sense to the King – he was a new ruler over a foreign land…
      • This was a way of ‘encouraging’ the conquered Babylonians to fall into line!
      • But King Darius like the idea – it suggested he was an equal to god – so he signed into Law!
    • These governors did not think much of Darius – they were just playing him…
      • They were using flattering words – and playing to his pride – to get what they wanted!
      • Be careful to place confidence in the flattery of those who want something from you!
      • Proverbs 27:6 – “Faithful are the wounds of a friend, the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.”
    • And giving into pride would almost cost Darius a close friend!
      • Proverbs 16:18 – “Pride goes before destruction, an arrogant spirit before a fall.”
      • Pride can be tricky – it is not always easy to see – but it always sets us up for a fall…
      • Pride can be – I think I know it all / I am never wrong / I do not need correction…
      • Pride can also be – thinking I am nothing / being shy / pride means its all about me…
      • Whether it is arrogance / or ‘false’ humility – if I am the focus it is pride…
      • If I am the focus – then I am not looking to Jesus – and I am destruction is sure to follow!
        
        
• 2^nd – Into the Lions den… vs. 10-17
  • 1^st – Daniel knowing the law had been signed – went home and prayed… vs. 10
    • Because Daniel was going to be obedient to law of God – before the laws of men…
      • While are called to be obedient to the government – Romans 13:1
      • Some Christians take that to mean we just to accept whatever a government does…
      • But we are not to idly stand by and do nothing when faced with evil leaders…
      • When a government stops listening to and following the Word of God…
      • It is our responsibility as Christians – to peacefully stand up to the government!
    • Daniel went to the upper room to seek the Lord – his prayer closet – Matthew 6:5
      • There is nothing wrong with a public prayer to God…
      • But we need to watch the motive of the heart – do not pray to impress others…
      • Prayer should be natural – simple conversation with God – no matter who is there!
    • Daniel opened up his window – he was not afraid to stand up for the Lord…
• There is always a temptation to want to blend into the crowd – to be accepted…

• But if we are not willing to take a stand for Jesus today – Luke 12:8 
• Then He will not stand for us before the ‘Judgment seat of God’!

• Daniel knelt and prayed towards Jerusalem – I Kings 8:48…
  • When Solomon dedicated the Temple – in his prayer to God he added…
  • When your people an in the land of their enemies who led them away captive…
  • And they pray to You toward Jerusalem and the temple – then hear in heaven!
  • Not that there is a special or required position when it comes to pray…
  • God does not listen to a prayer made on your knees any more than praying standing…
  • Or a special place where God listens better than others – Jerusalem is a local call…
  • It is all about our heart when we pray – we cannot have a bad prayer with the right heart…
  • If you wonder if you are praying the ‘right way’ – you are asking the wrong question…
  • Ask yourself why you are praying – if your motive is right – your prayer is right on!
• Daniel prayed 3 times a day – as was his custom for his early days – Psalm 55:17
  • People often times talk about having quite time with the Lord in the morning…
  • You might ask – what is the best time when we should seek the Lord…
  • It is not about when we seek that Lord – the key is THAT we consistently seek the Lord!

2^nd – Be careful what you say… vs. 11-17

• The Governors thronged (same word vs. 6) in to ‘find’ Daniel praying…
  • They could not wait to make the accusation against him – dragging him before the King…
  • They reminded the king of the law he had just signed – that could not be altered…
  • Then accused Daniel of not ‘honoring’ the King – because he prayed to God 3 times a day!
  • When the King heard this he was displeased – literally his words had a bad odor…
  • And he worked all that day – until sunset – to try and undo his actions!
• The Governors thronged Darius (same as vs. 11) to make sure Daniel was thrown to the Lions…
  • So the King brought Daniel to the den – but before he was tossed in…
  • He told him – the God whom you serve continually WILL deliver you!
  • Then the stone was rolled over – and the King and Governors put their seal on it…
  • This was to assure the governors the King would not come and rescue Daniel from his fate!
• Too often in life we say something without thinking it through…
  • Then after the fact – when things have gone terribly wrong – we regret what we said…
  • So since it is easy to say something – but almost impossible to take our words back…
  • Better to think first before we speak – then face the consequence of our words!
  • Proverbs 29:20 – “Do you see a man hasty in his words? More hope for a fool than for him.”
• 3^rd – The living God… vs. 18-28
  • 1^st – The Repentance of the King… vs. 18
    • Darius knew that Daniel was likely dead because of his mistake…
      • And he regretted having giving into his pride / and hastily signing the law… 
      • It caused him to loose his appetite – he spent the whole night fasting…
      • He refused to be entertained – music (concubines) – and did not sleep the whole night…
      • Yet there was nothing he could do – but wait to see if God would spare Daniel!
    • When we sin – it does not just affect our lives – it also damages others…
      • When we tell a lie – and destroy the trust of those we care the most for…
      • When we lash out in angry words when we are frustrated – and bring our love into doubt…
      • The hardest part of dealing with the damage we cause – is often there nothing we can do…
      • We are left with guilt that robs us of the joy of life – no desire to eat / be entertained…
      • It causes us to have countless sleepless nights – all because of foolish choices!
      • The best solution is not to give into pride – make hasty foolish choices / words…
      • But if / when we do – run quickly to Jesus – because He can heal and restore!
  • 2^nd – Shutting the mouth of the lion… vs. 19-23
    • Darius rose early in the morning – and ran to the den…
      • He cried out – asking doubtfully (grieved) if had God been able to save Daniel…
      • The lions were hungry – he knew they wanted nothing more than to devour Daniel!
      • But Daniel answered – God had sent an angel to shut their mouths – Hebrews 11:33
      • So Darius had him lifted out of the pit – and there was not a scratch found on him!
      • God had saved Daniel from the Lions – because he had faith in God!
    • When we have faith in Jesus – the roaring lion cannot touch us – I Peter 5:8
      • When the disciples returned to Jesus from being sent out they were amazed…
      • They said even the demons are subject to us through your name – Luke 10:17
      • But Jesus did them one better – not only were demons subject to Him…
      • He had seen the fall of satan from glory – kicked out of heaven – Revelation 12:9
      • He fell like a flash of lightning – so quick if you had blinked you would have missed it!
      • Satan seeks to devour us – Revelation 12:10 – wants to see us condemned to hell…
      • He has all the ‘evidence’ he needs – all our sins / our immoral thoughts…
      • But Jesus destroyed the power of satan – so that he has nothing to accuse us of…
      • All our sins were paid for in full on the cross – we are untouchable in Jesus!
      • With God on our side we have nothing to fear from satan – our enemy…
      • Isaiah 54:17 – “No weapon formed against you shall prosper…”
      • I John 4:4 – “He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.”
  • 3^rd – The destruction of the wicked… vs. 24
    • Darius commanded the men who had accused – ‘sought to devour’ Daniel with their words…
      • Be brought with their wives and children – and thrown into the lions den…
      • Before they even hit the floor – the lions broke every bone – and devoured them…
      • Proving the miracle of Daniel surviving – it was not because the Lions were not hungry…
    • Also showing when we try to devour others – we ourselves are devoured!
      • James 3:3 – “The tongue is a small thing, but what enormous damage it can do.”
      • When we choose to pass on the latest juicy stories – gossip…
      • When we use sarcasm – trying to be funny – but instead cutting those we love…
      • Time will heal many kinds of wounds – but words leave marks that last a lifetime…
      • We need to be careful of our words – careful who is listening to what we say…
      • Galatians 5:15 – “If you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed…”
  • 4^th – The God of Daniel… vs. 25-28
    • Then Darius wrote a new decree – to all people / nations / and languages on earth…
      • Everyone must tremble and fear the God of Daniel – because He is:
      • The living God who never changes / His Kingdom will never be destroyed – last forever…
      • He delivers and rescues with signs and wonders – Daniel and the lions being an example!
    • I am sure Daniel would rather NOT have been the example…
      • It would have been nice NOT to have to be thrown into a Den of lions for a night…
      • But it was BECAUSE of the lions – the whole world got to hear about the Living God!
      • This is a theme we have seen often repeated in the Book of Daniel…
      • Daniel 3:29 – “Therefore I make a decree, That every people, nation, and language, which speak any thing amiss against God…”
      • Daniel 4:1 – “Nebuchadnezzar the king, unto all people, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth… I thought it good to shew the signs and wonders that the high God hath wrought toward me. How great are his signs! and how mighty are his wonders!”
      • But note that in every instance it was through TRIALS that God was MAGNIFIED!
      • The fiery furnace / the madness of a king / the lions den…
      • God is rarely magnified through our lives when we are blessed…
      • Instead it is in the hardships of live / the trials – that people get to see Jesus in us…
      • If we praise God when we are being blessed – that is nothing unusual…
      • But if we praise God when life is falling apart – then the world takes note!
      • So WHEN we find ourselves in a trial we GET TO rejoice…
      • Because it means God is using us to MAGNIFY Himself to a world that needs to HOPE!

James 1:2 – “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations…”