Character Studies - ElectronicGospel

a. the other bureaucrats turned him in and King Darius had no choice but to punish him(Daniel 6:14-23)b. he was uninjured for one reason–because he believed in his Godc. how many times do we fret, cower and compromise because we don’t have enough faith inGod to face our lions head on?II. Some ApplicationsA. Silver Lining1. Daniel, though young, possessed the wonderful ability to look at sad things and findopportunities and bright invitations2. rather than pity himself or distrust God, he looked for the silver lining and the chance toproclaim his faith in very hostile territory3. the apostle Paul was like this when he found himself in prison for preaching Jesus, but notfeeling abandoned by the God who got him there (Philippians 1:12-20)4. like Joseph and Daniel before him, Paul found himself as a guest of the state, but he made thebest of his situation and acquitted himself with courage and faith and determination to survive physicallyand spiritually (Philippians 4:4-7, 10-13)a. self-pity feels pretty good for a few moments, but it will never lift you out of a pit ofdespair or the very circumstances that make you pitifulb. defeatism comes next and then you’re really finishedc. when you’re tempest-tossed upon life’s billows, do not be discouraged or convinced that allit lost, but dig in and find your opportunityB. Kosher1. Daniel survived physically because he was so strong and faithful spiritually2. it might be hard to believe but God has never given any of his people under any covenant theright to deny him temporarily in order to preserve their lives or livelihood or pride3. even when persecutors troubled the first century church, no right of mental reservation wasextended (Revelation 2:8-11)4. furthermore, no foray into situation ethics is permitted either, by which something sinful can bejustified in the name of the greater good5. we might find it convenient to lie or cheat or steal in order to sustain some good cause, but truegood does not need sin to prevail (First John 5:1-5, 18-20)C. Prayer1. the enduring lesson from Daniel is in his commitment to God when other people might havefelt abandoned–when he was exiled, to begin with2. there is the turning point when Daniel and his three friends refuse the sinful meat and thrivewhile dining only on vegetables, accepting God’s help instead of resorting to their own3. the enduring image of Daniel is him kneeling in his room beside his window praying to Godthree times each day as he had always done4. prayer still must be a regular part of the believer’s life or he really doesn’t have much faith orcommunication with Goda. ceaseless prayer is a part of a wholesome lifestyle (First Thessalonians 5:15-22)b. prayer should be consistent with one’s character (First Timothy 2:8-10)c. one who trusts in God “continues in supplications and prayers night and day” (FirstTimothy 5:5; cf. Second Timothy 1:3)5. whether we pray thrice a day, much more or slightly less, we must have confidence that we arenot abandoned, regardless of our answer (Psalm 5:1-3)D. Lions1. life has a way of introducing us to lions in their dens–through persecution, temptations tocompromise, fears, hardships and challenges2. here again self-pity is worthless and self-defeating; stop groveling and have a little faith3. lions can be tamed (First Peter 5:5-11)Conclusion208