God's Deliverance: Trusting Him in Our Trials

This morning, we gathered to reflect on the closing verses of Daniel chapter 6, focusing on the aftermath of Daniel’s deliverance from the lion’s den. The story of Daniel is not just a tale of miraculous rescue, but a powerful reminder that God is present with us in our darkest and most challenging moments. Daniel’s unwavering faith, even when faced with certain death, serves as an example for us to trust God regardless of our circumstances. When we find ourselves in our own “lion’s den”—whether that’s anxiety, betrayal, or overwhelming fear—we are not alone. God is with us, and He often uses these very situations to reveal His power and presence, not just to us, but to those around us.

King Darius, a man who did not previously know the God of Israel, witnessed Daniel’s deliverance and was so moved that he issued a decree for all people to honor Daniel’s God. This is a testament to how God uses our trials and testimonies to point others to Himself. Our stories—of deliverance, restoration, and transformation—are not just for us. They are meant to be shared, to offer hope to those who feel lost or too far gone. No matter what we have faced or are currently facing, God can use our lives as living testimonies of His grace and power.

We also considered the broader biblical narrative of God as Deliverer. From Noah to Abraham, Moses to Paul, and ultimately in the person of Jesus Christ, God has always been in the business of rescuing His people. The greatest deliverance is found in Christ, who through His death and resurrection, offers us freedom from sin and eternal life. This is the core of our faith and the most important testimony we can share.

As we go out this week, let’s remember that our stories matter. God has given each of us a unique testimony, and He calls us to use it to point others to Christ. Let’s be intentional about sharing the hope we have, trusting that God is still delivering, still saving, and still working wonders today.

Key Takeaways

• 1. God’s Presence in the Lion’s Den: When we find ourselves in situations that feel hopeless or overwhelming, we are not abandoned. God is present with us in the midst of our trials, just as He was with Daniel. Our faith is refined and strengthened in these moments, and we are reminded that God’s presence is our greatest comfort and assurance. [37:57]
• 2. Our Testimonies Reveal God to Others: The challenges and victories in our lives are not just personal—they are opportunities for God to reveal Himself to others through us. When we share how God has delivered us, we plant seeds of hope and faith in those who hear. Our willingness to be vulnerable about our struggles and God’s faithfulness can be the catalyst for someone else’s encounter with Him. [51:30]
• 3. God’s Deliverance is Ongoing and Personal: The stories of deliverance in Scripture are not just ancient history; they are a pattern of how God continues to work today. Whether it’s freedom from addiction, restoration of relationships, or salvation itself, God’s power to deliver is as real now as it was then. We are invited to trust Him for our own deliverance and to pray persistently for the deliverance of others. [61:43]
• 4. The Cross is the Ultimate Testimony: While our personal stories are powerful, the greatest testimony we can share is what Christ has done on the cross. Through Jesus’ sacrifice, we are offered forgiveness, reconciliation, and eternal life. This is the foundation of our hope and the message that has the power to transform lives for eternity. [65:02]
• 5. Faith Requires Surrender, Not Perfection: God does not require us to have it all together before coming to Him. He asks for a surrendered heart, willing to trust Him even when life is messy and uncertain. Our journey will have setbacks and struggles, but God’s grace is sufficient, and He is faithful to complete the work He has begun in us. [01:09:06]
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Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [34:14] - Worship and Announcements
• [34:52] - First Sunday Fellowship Recap
• [36:07] - Introduction to Daniel 6:25-28
• [36:42] - Daniel’s Faith Before the Lion’s Den
• [37:20] - Facing Our Own Lion’s Dens
• [38:34] - Trusting God’s Plan in Trials
• [39:53] - God Works All Things for Good
• [41:11] - Daniel’s Testimony and Our Own
• [42:24] - Reading Daniel 6:25-28
• [45:00] - King Darius’ Decree and God’s Power
• [48:53] - God Uses Our Stories
• [52:42] - The Power of Testimony
• [58:54] - God is a Deliverer
• [62:22] - Christ’s Ultimate Deliverance
• [65:36] - Surrendering to Christ
• [69:46] - Life’s Challenges and God’s Presence
• [71:52] - Sharing the Gospel and The Great Commission
• [73:12] - Closing Prayer and Blessing

Bible Reading

Daniel 6:25-28 (ESV) — > Then King Darius wrote to all the peoples, nations, and languages that dwell in all the earth: “Peace be multiplied to you. I make a decree, that in all my royal dominion people are to tremble and fear before the God of Daniel, for he is the living God, enduring forever; his kingdom shall never be destroyed, and his dominion shall be to the end. He delivers and rescues; he works signs and wonders in heaven and on earth, he who has saved Daniel from the power of the lions.” So this Daniel prospered during the reign of Darius and the reign of Cyrus the Persian.

Observation Questions

1. What did King Darius do after witnessing Daniel’s deliverance from the lions’ den? What does this show about his view of God? ([43:05])
2. According to the passage, what specific qualities of God does King Darius highlight in his decree? ([45:00])
3. How does Daniel’s story end in this chapter, and what does it say about the outcome of his faithfulness? ([43:43])
4. In the sermon, what examples were given of God delivering people in the Bible besides Daniel? ([59:35])

Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think King Darius, who was not a believer in the God of Israel, responded so strongly to Daniel’s deliverance? What does this say about how God can use our trials to impact others? ([45:36])
2. The sermon mentions that God’s deliverance is not just ancient history but something He still does today. What are some ways people might experience God’s deliverance in their lives now? ([01:00:57])
3. The pastor shared that our testimonies are meant to point others to God. Why is it important to share not just our victories but also our struggles? ([51:30])
4. The sermon says that faith requires surrender, not perfection. What does it look like to surrender to God in the middle of a difficult situation? ([01:09:06])

Application Questions

1. Think about a time when you felt like you were in your own “lion’s den”—maybe facing anxiety, betrayal, or fear. How did you sense God’s presence (or not) in that moment? What would it look like to trust Him more the next time you’re in a tough spot? ([37:57])
2. The sermon says our stories are meant to be shared to offer hope to others. Is there a part of your story—maybe a struggle or a way God has helped you—that you’ve been hesitant to share? What’s one step you could take to share it with someone who might need encouragement? ([51:30])
3. King Darius was moved to honor God because of what he saw in Daniel’s life. Who in your life might be watching how you handle challenges? How could your response to hardship point them to God? ([45:36])
4. The pastor talked about praying persistently for the deliverance of others, even when it takes a long time. Is there someone you’ve been praying for (maybe a family member or friend) who needs God’s help? How can you keep praying and not give up? ([01:01:43])
5. The sermon reminded us that the greatest testimony is what Jesus did on the cross. How comfortable do you feel sharing the message of Jesus with others? What’s one way you could practice or prepare to share this good news this week? ([01:05:02])
6. The pastor said, “God does not require us to have it all together before coming to Him.” Are there areas in your life where you feel like you have to “fix yourself” before coming to God? What would it look like to bring those things to Him just as you are? ([01:09:06])
7. The message encouraged us to be intentional about sharing hope. Who is one person you could reach out to this week to encourage, pray for, or share your story with? ([01:13:12])