“Living with the Lions”Lessons from Daniel for the new creature

Daniel lived in sixth century B.C., at the same time as:

• Construction on the Acropolis in Athens began

• Mayan civilization flourished in Mexico • Aesop wrote his fables• Confucius and Buddha lived • Phoenicians made the first known sea journey

around Africa• Greeks introduced the olive tree to Italy

Living with the LionsOur life as a “Daniel”

1. Discipline in an undisciplined world: Self-control and self-denial

2. Reserve driven by understanding that God is in control: in the world but not of it

3. Character development in an unfavorable environment: proficiency of prayer

Daniel’s introduction to Babylon 1. Self control and self denial

“And the king appointed them a daily provision of the king’s meat, and of the wines which he drank, so nourishing them three years, that at the end thereof they might stand before the king. But Daniel proposed not to defile himself with the portion of the king’s meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he quested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself…

…. Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us pulse to eat and water to drink. Then let our countenances be looked upon before thee, as thou then seest deal with thy servants. And at the end of the ten days their countenances appeared fairer and fatter in flesh than all the children that did eat of the king’s meat.”

--Daniel 1: 5, 8, 12, 13, 15

• Chaldean schools were centers of literature, science, pseudo-science, architecture, music, politics, military, religion

• Daniel spent almost whole life in Babylon and engaged in the offerings that would help him succeed but did not surrender his values or knowledge of God

• Refused to participate in idolatry and self-indulgence at Babylon’s table

• Nothing morose or melancholy in abstinence

• Lessons:–We must use constraint in refusal to enter

into world’s indulgences–Don’t be self-righteous or insulting in

refusals—understand that you answer to a higher call–Be congenial and encourage the good

things and behavior you find along the Way

Daniel 22. In the world but not of it

“And the king communed with them; and among them all was found none like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: therefore stood they before the king. And in all matters of wisdom and understanding, that the king enquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers that were in all his realm…

Daniel 1:19-20

“The king …said to Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, Art thou able to make known unto me the dream which I have seen, and the interpretation thereof? Daniel answered in the presence of the king, and said, The secret which the king hath demanded cannot the wise men, the astrologers, the magicians, the soothsayers, shew unto the king; But there is a God in heaven that revealeth secrets, and maketh known to the king Nebuchadnezzar what shall be in the latter days…”

Daniel 2:26-28

• Daniel cast among speculations and superstitions of Babylon, including astrology (astronomy)

• Studied but applied a wisdom tempered by true religion and cultivation of mind from Jewish upbringing

• Knowledge of God made him superior to collective wisdom of Chaldeans

• Proved to be source of his deliverance from world of death

• Lessons:– Observe them carefully, for this will show your

wisdom and understanding to the nations, who will hear about all these decrees and say, "Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.“—Deuteronomy 4:6

– Wisdom is God’s greatest endowment to His children– Study alone is insufficient– “In the dust of the Rabbi”– Knowledge not ultimate goal, study transforms into

apt teachers—now for our brethren and for world in Millennial Age

Daniel’s lessons for the new creature3. Proficiency in prayer

“Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime. Then these men assembled, and found Daniel praying and making supplication before his God.”

Daniel 6:10-11

“In the first year of his reign I Daniel understood by books the number of the years, whereof the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah the prophet, that he would accomplish seventy years in the desolations of Jerusalem. And I set my face unto the Lord God, to seek by prayer and supplications, with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes: And I prayed unto the LORD my God, and made my confession…”

Daniel 9:2-4

• Daniel’s communion with God surpassed everything else, legal or illegal

• Daniel’s prayer deepened his relationship with God

• When Daniel read in Jeremiah deliverance was to come soon, determined all the more to pray for the predetermined cause

• In a world filled with chaos or a mind fraught with confusion, Daniel sought God first

• Lessons:– Ephesians 6:18: Praying always with all prayer

and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints

– Luke 21:8-38 discusses how we should anticipate, watch, and pray regarding the unfolding of harvest-time events

– Luke 21:36 is same word Paul uses in Ephesians to watch• AGRUPNEO (Strongs #69) means to be sleepless, to

keep awake• Discussing spiritual, not natural life• NAS says “keep on the alert”

• Pray always in Paul’s analogy relates to this • Some translations: “don’t go to sleep at the

switch”, “be always on the watch”, “be ready all the time”, “beware of slumbering”

• Doing battle with spiritual, not human nature• Prayer during all kinds of occasions we are in to

provide proper perspective on how our actions are to be shaped by our watching

• Identifying problems, engaging them, dealing with them

• Psalm 55:17-21 —David is set upon by enemies who terrify him and make him want to flee.

“But I call to God and the Lord rescues me. Evening and morning and noon I complain and I moan, and He hears my voice. He has ransomed my life unharmed from my battle, for many were against me—Ishmael and Jalam and the dweller in the east, who never will change and do not fear God. He reached out his hand against his allies, profaned his own pact.”

• Brethren are in desperate situations and we cry to God for help

• Prayer used on all occasions for one another builds esprit de corps

Seven additional lessons

1. God will reveal plan to those seeking Him (Daniel 2: 19)

2. We give honor to God by our conduct (Daniel 2: 20-23)

3. Differentiate in our activity between righteous and unrighteous things- (Daniel 2: 27)

4. Speak with wisdom based on scripture (Daniel 2: 31-45)

5. Humility means strong recognition of others in The Way. (Daniel 2: 49)

6.Always do what is right rather than what is expedient. (Daniel 6: 10)

7.Doubt is deception and should be dismissed quickly. (Daniel 6: 23)

Amen