Scripture: Daniel 1:1-9 [p 574] July 14, 2024

Sermon: “God Still Reigns” Pastor John Young

Last week learned about the spiritual war raging in America. Most people (even Christians) are oblivious that the war exists, but while we live in complacency, militant secularists are waging this spiritual war on five major fronts in our great land: Freedom of Religion, The Public School System, Abortion, The Media, and Homosexual Rights. I asked this question last week: In light of this spiritual war, “What should we do?” I suggested we ‘rethink our calling, refocus our objectives, and cling to what is immovable!’ However, I’m afraid many Christians feel we’ve gone too far—that nothing can be done. I understand their feeling, but must conclude, after reading this blessed Book—such pessimism is out of place in the presence of the promises of God! “We cannot talk about standing on the Rock of Ages and then act as if we are clinging to our last piece of driftwood.”

There are three unshakable pillars that provide a firm footing as we stand against the present cultural steam and over the course of the next few weeks, I would like for us to consider each of them. Our focus today, however, turns our attention to the verses we read in the book of Daniel.

[It will be helpful to begin by examining:]

I. The Setting: (of this book)

A. Daniel records the story of the fall of Judah (the southern tribes of the Nation of Israel) and of several young men who were taken as prisoners during a war with Babylon.

1. Verses 2-3 give us the specifics.

2. We are told in verse 4a these young men were brought to the pagan city of Babylon and raised in the king’s palace because they were, “skilful in all wisdom, and cunning in knowledge, and understanding science.”

a. These young men were to be brainwashed (v-4b); they were to learn the Chaldean language and culture. The ultimate goal was to get them to think like a Chaldean!

b. Among this group (v-6) were four men (Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah).

3. The Babylonians (which are also called Chaldeans) were pantheists. I.E. they believed the universe was God. Therefore, they had many gods.

a. This belief is illustrated in our text in verse 7:

1) Each of these men were given names of pagan gods:

a. Daniel—Belteshazzar (Bel’s prince—Bel was the highest in the hierarchy of their pagan gods).

b. Hananiah—Shadrach (Illumined by the sun-god).

c. Mishael—Meshach (servant of Ishtar—more popularly known as Venus, the goddess of love [or immorality]).

d. And, Azariah—Abednego (servant of Nego—the god of wisdom & education).

4. According to verse 5b, the king would examine these men after three to four years of preparation and see how they adapted to the culture.

a. It is interesting to note the cultural objections these men voiced and the objections they didn’t voice (though we cannot take the time to rabbit trail here).

5. Make no mistake about it; the culture these men were brought to in Babylon was pagan in every way. If there was ever an attack on a culture, it was the assault Nebuchadnezzar made upon the culture of these Jews!

So, what did they do? How did they cope with their dilemma?

Chapter 2:17 & 18 gives us our answer:

“Then Daniel went to his house, and made the thing known to Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, his companions: [WHY?] That they would desire mercies of the God of heaven.”

They Prayed! And it was the vehicle of prayer that brought them the security they needed!

[And this is very interesting. Consider:]

II. The Security: (for a moment)

A. This is very important!

1. Notice they did not pray for God to change the culture, or destroy the king—rather, they asked God to preserve them in the midst of both (v-18b)!

a. How often our prayers and meditations are for deliverance instead of a renewed dedication!

b. Specific to these young men (as recorded in chapter 2), Nebuchadnezzar had a dream that troubled him. He commanded his wise men to tell him the dream and the interpretation, but they couldn’t. The king was so angry with them, he was going to kill them all (which would have included Daniel, Shadrach and Abednego). This is why Daniel begged his friends to pray!

2. God’s swift and clear answer (v-19) revealed two things to Daniel according to verse 23. He says, “I thank thee, and praise thee, O thou God of my fathers:’ for two reasons:

a. You’ve given me “wisdom and might.”

b. “And,” You’ve “made known unto us the king's matter.”

c. This second part empowers Daniel to go to the king, tell him the vision, and the interpretation.

d. But the first statement is a reflection upon verses 20-21 (read).

1) In the revelation of the king’s dream Daniel also saw the purpose and plan of God concerning their captivity and current places of position.

2) As the second part of verse 23 empowered Daniel to go to the king and tell the vision. The first part of the verse empowered Daniel and his friends to live for God in the midst of their pagan culture!

But where would they derive the strength to do so?

Verse 28a! “There is a God in heaven!”

B. One thing we MUST do in light of the current assault upon the values and principles of this great nation is this; we MUST cling to what is unmovable! No matter what the situation or how dire the circumstances look in a nation or culture—make no mistake:

GOD STILL REIGNS!

This is unmovable, unchallengeable TRUTH! It’s one of the three unshakable pillars I spoke of at the beginning of this message and we must cling to it! No matter how bad it gets—remember! God Still Reigns!

[This security has practical significance and brings tremendous responsibility to God’s people. Let me explain as we consider:]

III. The Stand:

A. When you live with the reassurance that ‘God Reigns’ you can live without fear.

1. We do not find Daniel committed to change his culture, sway public opinion, or fight until his desire is made law! Instead, Daniel and his friends were committed in their ‘hearts’ to be publicly true to their values and principles!

a. This is evident and obvious in:

1) Chapter 1:8. Daniel was purposed in his heart.

a) Heathen nations not only ate unclean beasts, which were forbidden by Jewish law, but even the clean animals that were eaten were first offered as victims to their gods, and part of the wine was poured out as a libation on their altars.

2) Chapter 3. The three Hebrew men were principled in their arguments. Notice this in verses 1, 4-6, 12-14, & 16-18.

3) Chapter 6. Daniel practiced what he believed! Notice this in verses 1-4, 5, & 6-10.

2. As a result of a right focus and the absence of fear, these men had a positive effect on their culture!

a. In respect to Daniel’s request not to be defiled with the king’s meat in 1:8, notice verses 12-16.

b. In respect of the principled arguments of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in chapter 3, notice verses 23-29.

c. And in respect of Daniel’s practice of praying in chapter 6, notice verses 25 & 26.

Conclusion: Listen! These men lived what they believed in an evil and pagan culture by resting in the security of the sovereignty of God (2:21). God Still Reigns! He is in control! Nothing happens outside of His knowledge or permission! So, let’s follow the example of these men! With the comfort and assurance that God Still Reigns in America too, let’s live publicly what we believe.

Let’s pray