Living with Hope: Daniel's Faith in Adversity
Summary
Living with hope in a hostile world is a challenge that many of us face, and the story of Daniel in the lion's den offers profound insights into how we can navigate such a world. Daniel's story is not merely about bravery or faithfulness; it is a prophetic picture pointing us to Jesus, the true savior and king. Daniel, a captive in Babylon, lived a life of unwavering faith, even when faced with the threat of death. His story is a testament to the power of prayer, the importance of living out our faith openly, and the assurance that God is sovereign over all circumstances.
Daniel's life in Babylon was marked by his commitment to God, which was evident in his daily practices, such as praying with his windows open towards Jerusalem. This act was not just a ritual but a declaration of his hope and longing for God's presence. Despite the political machinations against him, Daniel remained steadfast, demonstrating that true encouragement and faithfulness come from a heart aligned with God's will. His story reminds us that our faith should be the only offense we present to the world, not our egos or personal agendas.
The narrative of Daniel in the lion's den is a foreshadowing of Jesus' own death and resurrection. Just as Daniel was found blameless and delivered from the lions, Jesus, the sinless one, conquered death and the grave. This story is a call to behold Jesus, the greater Daniel, who not only shuts the mouths of lions but breaks their teeth, ensuring our ultimate victory over sin and death.
In our modern context, we are called to live as sojourners in a world that often feels like a den of lions. We are to be light in the darkness, living out our faith authentically and courageously. This means opening the windows of our lives to let others see our relationship with Jesus, even when it might be countercultural or risky. Our hope is not in the systems of this world but in the eternal kingdom of God, which we are invited to participate in through prayer and faithful living.
Key Takeaways:
- Encouragement vs. Flattery: True encouragement builds up and comes from a place of genuine care, while flattery is self-centered and manipulative. As Christians, we are called to encourage one another, drawing from the heart of God, and to be wary of the insincerity of flattery. [21:49]
- Faith as the Only Offense: Our faith should be the only thing that offends others, not our behavior or attitudes. Like Daniel, we should live with integrity and humility, allowing our faith to shine in a world that often opposes it. [26:11]
- Open Windows of Faith: We are called to live our faith openly, giving those far from God a view into our relationship with Jesus. This openness is not about showing off but about authentically sharing the hope we have in Christ. [36:42]
- Prayer is Primary: Consistent prayer is essential for standing firm in the face of adversity. It is through prayer that we align ourselves with God's will and find the strength to endure trials, just as Daniel did. [56:50]
- Beholding Jesus: The story of Daniel points us to Jesus, the greater savior who delivers us from the ultimate lion's den of sin and death. Our focus should be on Jesus, who empowers us to live victoriously in a fallen world. [01:02:26]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [03:13] - Prayer and Introduction
- [04:39] - Call and Response from Psalm 118
- [05:46] - The Song of the Redeemed
- [06:47] - Sovereignty in the Book of Daniel
- [08:06] - Personal Illustration: Trusting God in Trials
- [09:37] - Context of Daniel in the Lion's Den
- [11:28] - The Story of Jesus in Daniel
- [12:45] - Daniel's Experience in Babylon
- [14:06] - Living with Hope in a Hostile World
- [15:23] - Four Principles for Trusting Jesus
- [17:10] - Encouragement vs. Flattery
- [18:51] - The Schemes Against Daniel
- [19:59] - The Power of True Encouragement
- [21:49] - Encouragement as a Weapon
- [23:01] - The Art of Encouragement
- [25:13] - Manipulation and Pride
- [26:11] - Let Your Faith Be Offensive
- [27:29] - Living Faithfully in Babylon
- [29:24] - Light in the Darkness
- [31:10] - Being Set Apart as Light
- [32:24] - The Truth of Jesus
- [33:51] - The Assault on God's Image
- [34:44] - Living Generously and Authentically
- [35:36] - Prioritizing God's Kingdom
- [36:42] - Open Windows of Faith
- [38:14] - Authentic Prayer and Worship
- [39:08] - Daniel's Longing for God
- [40:22] - The Uncontainable Heart for God
- [43:14] - Sharing the Gospel Boldly
- [44:25] - Living Out Loud for Christ
- [45:28] - Inviting Others to Church
- [47:20] - Personal Story: Trusting God in Crisis
- [48:35] - Missed Kingdom Opportunities
- [49:28] - The Power of Community and Prayer
- [51:13] - Daniel's Faithfulness to God
- [54:52] - The Deliverance of Daniel
- [56:50] - The Rarity of Civil Disobedience
- [57:57] - The Call to Behold Jesus
- [59:25] - The Reality of the Demonic Realm
- [01:00:17] - Psalm 23 in the Lion's Den
- [01:00:56] - The Greater Lion and King
- [01:02:26] - The Gospel and Eternal Life
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: Living with Hope in a Hostile World
Bible Reading:
- Daniel 6:1-28
- Psalm 23:4
- 1 Peter 5:8
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Observation Questions:
1. What actions did Daniel take that demonstrated his unwavering faith in God, even when faced with the threat of the lion's den? ([36:42])
2. How did King Darius react to the accusations against Daniel, and what does this reveal about his relationship with Daniel? ([51:13])
3. What parallels can be drawn between Daniel's experience in the lion's den and the story of Jesus' death and resurrection? ([54:52])
4. How did Daniel's faithfulness impact King Darius and the kingdom? ([54:52])
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the story of Daniel in the lion's den illustrate the concept of living as a sojourner in a world that often feels hostile? ([14:06])
2. In what ways does Daniel's story point to Jesus as the greater savior and king? ([11:28])
3. How does the sermon distinguish between true encouragement and flattery, and why is this distinction important for Christians today? ([21:49])
4. What does it mean for faith to be the only offense we present to the world, and how can this be applied in our daily lives? ([26:11])
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you faced adversity for your faith. How did you respond, and what might you do differently in the future to align more closely with Daniel's example? ([36:42])
2. Daniel's open windows symbolized his openness about his faith. What are some practical ways you can "open the windows" of your life to let others see your relationship with Jesus? ([36:42])
3. The sermon emphasizes the importance of prayer. How can you prioritize prayer in your daily routine to ensure you are spiritually prepared for challenges? ([56:50])
4. Consider the difference between encouragement and flattery. How can you be intentional about offering genuine encouragement to those around you this week? ([21:49])
5. The sermon suggests that our faith should be the only offense we present to the world. Are there areas in your life where your behavior or attitudes might be offensive rather than your faith? How can you address this? ([26:11])
6. How can you actively participate in your community or church to be a light in the darkness, as Daniel was in Babylon? ([31:10])
7. Identify one person in your life who is far from God. What steps can you take this week to share your faith with them in a way that is authentic and loving? ([40:22])
Devotional
Day 1: True Encouragement Builds from the Heart
True encouragement is rooted in genuine care and seeks to build others up, contrasting sharply with flattery, which is self-serving and manipulative. In a world where words can easily be used to deceive or manipulate, Christians are called to be vessels of true encouragement, drawing from the heart of God. This means speaking life into others, offering support and affirmation that is sincere and grounded in love. Encouragement should be a reflection of God's love, aiming to uplift and edify others, rather than seeking personal gain or approval. [21:49]
"Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing." (1 Thessalonians 5:11, ESV)
Reflection: Think of someone in your life who needs encouragement today. How can you offer them genuine support that reflects God's love?
Day 2: Faith as the Only Offense
In a world that often opposes Christian values, our faith should be the only thing that offends others, not our behavior or attitudes. Like Daniel, who lived with integrity and humility in Babylon, Christians are called to let their faith shine through their actions and words. This means living authentically and allowing our faith to be evident in all we do, even when it might be countercultural or risky. Our faith should be a beacon of hope and truth, challenging others not through aggression or pride, but through the quiet strength of a life lived in alignment with God's will. [26:11]
"Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation." (1 Peter 2:12, ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on your daily interactions. Is your faith evident in a way that challenges others to see Christ in you?
Day 3: Open Windows of Faith
Living with open windows of faith means allowing others to see our relationship with Jesus, even when it might be countercultural or risky. Daniel's practice of praying with his windows open towards Jerusalem was a declaration of his hope and longing for God's presence. Similarly, Christians are called to live their faith openly, not as a display, but as an authentic sharing of the hope they have in Christ. This openness invites others to witness the transformative power of a life rooted in Jesus, offering a glimpse into the eternal kingdom of God. [36:42]
"You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house." (Matthew 5:14-15, ESV)
Reflection: What is one way you can open the windows of your faith this week, allowing others to see your relationship with Jesus?
Day 4: Prayer is the Foundation
Consistent prayer is essential for standing firm in the face of adversity. Daniel's unwavering faith was sustained through his commitment to prayer, aligning himself with God's will and finding strength to endure trials. In a world that often feels like a den of lions, prayer is the foundation that keeps us grounded and connected to God. It is through prayer that we find the courage to live out our faith authentically and courageously, trusting in God's sovereignty over all circumstances. [56:50]
"Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving." (Colossians 4:2, ESV)
Reflection: Consider your current prayer life. How can you make prayer a more consistent and foundational part of your daily routine?
Day 5: Beholding Jesus, the Greater Savior
The story of Daniel in the lion's den is a foreshadowing of Jesus' own death and resurrection. Just as Daniel was found blameless and delivered from the lions, Jesus, the sinless one, conquered death and the grave. Christians are called to behold Jesus, the greater Daniel, who not only shuts the mouths of lions but breaks their teeth, ensuring our ultimate victory over sin and death. Our focus should be on Jesus, who empowers us to live victoriously in a fallen world, offering hope and salvation to all who believe. [01:02:26]
"Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God." (Hebrews 12:2, ESV)
Reflection: In what ways can you shift your focus more fully onto Jesus, allowing Him to guide and empower your daily life?
Quotes
"Father, we thank you. We thank you that we can trust you. We thank you that our circumstances do not dictate your goodness or your faithfulness. God, I pray that even in this world where the things of this world scream so loudly and are filled with so much fear and chaos and trepidation and like just lions roaring around us, Lord, I pray that you would roar louder as the lion of Judah, that you would make it clear and make it known that you have not only shut the lions of this world's mouth, but you've broken their teeth." [00:02:25] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"And so, Lord, we pray that that would be our reminder, deep in our souls, that we wouldn't just get it in our intellect, but we would get it deep in our souls and that we would live out of that reality, the gospel reality, that you would pull back the veil on eternity, even this morning, that you would give us eyes to see, ears to hear, and hearts to receive what your spirit has to say to us through your word. And so, God, I pray now that as I decrease, that you would increase within me." [00:03:25] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"And so this morning, we're gonna walk through Daniel 6, which is probably one of the most famous stories, again, in the entire Bible. It's the story of Daniel 6. It's a story of Daniel 6, and it's a story of Daniel 6, and it's a story of Daniel 6. Daniel in the lion's den, but really it's not just a story about Daniel. In fact, this sermon is not going to be about how if you have enough faith or courage or pray enough, then God will deliver you from whatever trial you face. That is not what this sermon is about. This is not a sermon about being brave because this is not a story about being brave. Hear me. This is really not even a story about Daniel." [00:11:06] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Daniel is not saying here, look at me and follow me. Daniel is saying he is pointing pointing to someone else, someone greater. The book of Daniel isn't just about following Daniel's example. It's about following Daniel's savior. Daniel wants us to see what he sees. He wants us to know who he knows and to trust in who he trusts in, even in the midst of a fallen world, even in the pit, the den of lions. The true savior, the true king, to seek first his kingdom and to seek first his kingdom. His righteousness and then trust that the courage, the provision, the wisdom, all of that will flow forth as a result." [00:12:03] (49 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"And we need to see that. We need to know from the scriptures that our current context as God's redeemed people, even the church is what, is that we now live and operate as sojourners in a land, not our own citizens of heaven while operating as citizens on the earth, even in the midst of fallen Babylon, modern Babylon today. That's how this is all constructed. And it's instructive even in how to then operate and live with hope, even in the midst of this. Difficult world. And so this story in chapter six is giving us a prophetic picture of what it's like to endure the night in this pit surrounded by lions as we then await the morning and the coming king." [00:14:06] (46 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Encouragement is born in the heart of God. That's where it comes from. Encouragement. Encouragement, it's tasted then by those who have tasted the security of grace and desire that same security for those around them. They want them to know the love of God, the security of what they can experience in him. Flattery, though, is born out of the conspiracies of the lost and insecure, that pride -shame game. They not only flatter, but project their own worldviews onto those that desire to encourage. Follow this. It's a vicious cycle of insecurity and skepticism." [00:21:04] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Simply by being nature of being light. It doesn't have to try. In fact, we're called to lean into being winsome and loving even as we go and to then set our pride and ego aside in the meantime, in the midst of it all. Otherwise, like if you do this, oftentimes people that are operating like that anti -culture, a lot of that is just fueled by their own ego. So people, instead of witnessing and testifying, they want to win an argument and change. Stomp them and crush them and be like, yeah, now you know Jesus loves you." [00:29:44] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Open the windows to give those far from God a view into your relationship. Open the windows to give those far from God a view into your relationship with Jesus. Verse 10. When Daniel knew that the document had been signed, so this document banning prayer to anyone or anything other than the king, he knew that the document had been signed. He went to the, then he went to his house where he had windows in his upper chamber opened toward Jerusalem. And he got down on his knees three times a day and prayed and gave thanks before his God as he had done previously." [00:37:03] (44 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"don't let the word of god and prayer and his presence be shut out by this world don't shut the window into your relationship with jesus they need it whether they know it or not god wants this gospel on display and nothing shines brighter than your authentic relationship with him the real question then is do the people in your life who are far from god even know you are a christian can they see it like i know you don't want to be lumped in with that goofy religious person i don't either i get it but too often in an effort to detach from counterfeit religion we end up disassociated with jesus and his church you do you hear that like what has been misused should not lead to disuse okay just because somebody else like our calling isn't to just roll our eyes with the world like oh there's that nut it's to redeem that counterfeit with your own life and words to live with our faith out loud not hidden under a basket" [00:41:36] (76 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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