“...Then king Darius wrote unto all people, nations, and
languages, that dwell in all the earth; Peace be multiplied unto you. I make a
decree, That in every
dominion of my kingdom men tremble and fear before the God of Daniel: for he is
the living God, and stedfast for ever, and
his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed, and his dominion shall be even
unto the end. He delivereth and rescueth, and he worketh signs and wonders in
heaven and in earth, who hath delivered Daniel from the power of the lions.
So this
Daniel prospered in the reign of Darius, and in the reign of Cyrus the Persian...” (Daniel 6:16:20 KJV).
*
INSIDE DANIEL’S STORM,
he had been set-up by his peers or work-companions, all the other government
officials stood unanimously against him, his atmosphere was disturbed, his
normal life was disrupted, he could lose his position as chief, he was facing the
punishment of being thrown in the den of lions, and his whole life and
well-being was at stake.
Yet, “... [Daniel]... 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....” (Daniel 6:10-16 KJV).
The bible tells us, “Anyone who wants to be my follower must love me far more than he
does his own father, mother, wife,
children, brothers, or sisters—yes, more than his own life—otherwise he cannot be my disciple”
(Luke 14:26 NLT).
“.. For everything in the
world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes
not from the Father but from the world.
The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.”
(1 John 2:16-17 NLT).
“...Yes,
everything else is worthless when compared with the
infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as
garbage, so that I could gain Christ...”
(Philippians 3:8 NLT).
“... [Daniel]... went into his house ...he kneeled upon his knees
three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did
aforetime....” (Daniel
6:10-16 KJV).
The biblical
debates and criticisms over this story focuses on whether there could have
really been such a LAW established, or whether there was really a lion’s den or
not, or whether the lion’s den was actually a cistern or a pit, or over some
other insignificant detail, but FAIL to SEE the whole POINT was about taking a
stand for righteous CONDUCT.
Thus,
what is important is: “... These things happened as a warning to us, so that we would not
crave evil things as they did, or worship idols as some of them did ...These
things happened to them as examples for us. They were written down to warn us who live at the end of the age...” (1 Corinthians 10:9-11 NLT).
Daniel was well aware of what he was FACING
“inside” this STORM, which was being THROWN into the DEN of LION’S, but he
didn’t HIDE, coward down, or STOP PRAYING to God. “... [Daniel]... went into his house ...he kneeled upon his
knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did
aforetime....” (Daniel 6:10-16 KJV).
“…‘We’ve given up everything
to follow you…” (Mark 10:28-31 NLT). “...Yes, everything
else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my
Lord. For his sake I have
discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain
Christ...” (Philippians 3:8 NLT).
What is important, is that INSIDE THE
STORM, Daniel - whether he felt fear, terror, concern, or as if he was on the edge, or any other
physical anxiousness - he continued to PRAY as was his practice. “... [Daniel]... went into his house ...he
kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before
his God, as he did aforetime (before)....” (Daniel 6:10-16 KJV).
The
covenant relationship with God, the Holy
Spirit and his communication with him, through prayer, was Daniel’s way of
life.
The other government officials, evidently, KNEW, daily prayer, was
his practice, because they knew EXACTLY when to GO to Daniel’s house to LISTEN
and find him PRAYING. “...Then these men assembled, and found
Daniel praying and making supplication before his God. Then they came near, and spake before the king concerning the
king's decree; Hast thou not signed a decree, that every man that shall ask a
petition of any God or man within thirty days, save of thee, O king, shall be
cast into the den of lions?...” (Daniel 6:10-16 KJV).
We ALL go through STORMS, but what happens to a man or woman of
faith INSIDE the STORMS of LIFE?
We rally and preach about Daniel’s FAITHFULNESS to God. We rally
and preach about his MAGNIFICENT DELIVERANCE. We don’t often, if ever, rally
and preach about how FAITH, TRUST IN and DEPENDENCY upon God “INSIDE” the STORMS
of LIFE can “STILL” be coupled with or inundated with “feelings” of
nervousness, anxiousness, terror, or the uneasiness of facing the unknown.
INSIDE THE STORMS of LIFE, it is not
unusual for people, even the strongest warriors, to “feel” helpless, scared,
terrified, nervous, overly concerned with the outcome, naked, exposed, or weak. However, “…God assured us, “I’ll never let
you down, never walk off and leave you,” we
can boldly quote, God is there, ready to help; I’m fearless no matter what. Who
or what can get to me?” (Hebrews 13:5 MSG).
“…After this, the armies of the Moabites, Ammonites, and some of the
Meunites declared war on Jehoshaphat.
Messengers came and told Jehoshaphat, “A vast army from Edom
is marching against you from beyond the Dead Sea. They are already at
Hazazon-tamar.” (This was another name for En-gedi.). Jehoshaphat was TERRIFIED by this news...”
(2 Chronicles 20:1-30 NLT).
It is NOT necessarily a lack of faith to
experience “feelings” of FEAR when going through the STORMS of LIFE. “…Jehoshaphat was TERRIFIED by this news...” (2 Chronicles 20:1-30 NLT).
Jehoshaphat trusted and
depended upon God “terrified,” but in spite of his “feelings” he called upon
HIM for advice and help. “... He prayed, “O Lord, God of our ancestors, you alone are
the God who is in heaven.
…We can cry out to you to save us, and you will hear us and
rescue us.’ …O our God, won’t you stop them? We are powerless
against this mighty army that is about to attack us. We do not know what to do,
but we are looking to you for help.” …” (2
Chronicles 20: 1-30 NLT).
Jehoshaphat went to God,
INSIDE HIS STORM, “terrified,” and God
helped him. “…He helps me…” (Psalms
28:7 NLT). “…As all the men of Judah stood before the Lord with their little ones, wives, and children, the Spirit of the Lord came upon one of
the men standing there. His name was Jahaziel son of Zechariah, son
of Benaiah, son of Jeiel, son of Mattaniah, a Levite who was a descendant of
Asaph…” (2 Chronicles 20:1-30 NLT).
“… The Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness…” (Romans 8:26 NLT). God
responded to Jehoshaphat by sending him a divine message through a man named Jahaziel.“…He said, “Listen, all you people of Judah and
Jerusalem! Listen, King Jehoshaphat! This is what the Lord says: Do
not be afraid! Don’t be discouraged by this mighty army, for the battle is not yours, but God’s. …you will not even need
to fight. Take your positions; then stand still and watch the Lord’s victory. He is with you … Do not be afraid or discouraged. Go out
against them tomorrow, for the Lord is with you!” (2
Chronicles 20:1-30 NLT).
Jahaziel’s inspired word
from God guided, strengthened, and empowered Jehoshaphat follow God’s
instructions and it bought the King overwhelming victory. “…Early the next morning the army of Judah went out into the wilderness
of Tekoa. On the way Jehoshaphat stopped and said, “Listen to me, all you
people of Judah and Jerusalem! Believe in (trust in, depend upon) the Lord your God, and you will be able to stand
firm.
Believe in his prophets, and you will succeed.” After consulting the people,
the king appointed singers to walk ahead of the army, singing to the Lord and praising him for his holy
splendor. This is what they sang: “Give
thanks to the Lord; his faithful love endures forever!” (2
Chronicles 20:1-30 NLT).
“…Jehoshaphat
was TERRIFIED by this news...”
(2 Chronicles 20:1-30 NLT). However, King Jehoshaphat STILL turned to God. Because
the king trusted in God and NOT his “FEELINGS” of terror he was able to go out
to war, with his army, singing and praising God. “…At the
very moment they began to sing and give praise, the Lord caused the armies of Ammon, Moab,
and Mount Seir to start fighting among
themselves. The armies of Moab and Ammon turned against their allies from Mount
Seir and killed every one of them.
After
they had destroyed the army of Seir, they
began attacking each other.
So when the army of Judah arrived at the lookout point in the wilderness,
all they saw were dead bodies lying on the ground as far as they could see.
Not a single one of the enemy had
escaped.
….On
the fourth day they gathered in the Valley of Blessing which got its name that day because the people praised and thanked
the Lord there. It
is still called the Valley of Blessing today. …the Lord
had given them
victory over their enemies...”
(2 Chronicles 20:1-30 NLT).
God didn’t hold King Jehoshaphat’s
feelings of TERROR against him, because he helps his people in their weakness. “… The
Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness…” (Romans 8:26 NLT). God LOVINGLY comforted King Jehoshaphat. “…He
said, … Do not be afraid or discouraged. Go out against them tomorrow, for the Lord is with you!” (2 Chronicles 20:1-30 NLT).
God even gave the king
the reason NOT to be terrified. “…He said,
“Listen, all you people of Judah and Jerusalem! Listen, King Jehoshaphat! This is what the Lord says:
Do not be afraid! Don’t be discouraged by this mighty army, for the battle is not yours, but God’s. …you
will not even need to fight. Take your positions; then stand still and
watch the Lord’s victory...” (2
Chronicles 20:1-30 NLT).
INSIDE King
Jehoshaphat’s STORM God comforted him, strengthened him, promised to fight the
battle for him, and guaranteed his victory!
Daniel was FAITHFUL,
Daniel went INSIDE A STORM, and DANIEL was DELIVERED mightily!
The MIRACLE is not
simply Daniel’s faithfulness or his DELIVERANCE from the DEN of LION’S, but it
is ALL the GREAT THINGS God did “INSIDE” the STORM!!
God didn’t hold King Jehoshaphat’s
feelings of TERROR against him, because he helps his people in their weakness. “… The
Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness…” (Romans 8:26 NLT). “…He said, … Do not be afraid or discouraged ...the Lord is with you!” (2 Chronicles 20:1-30 NLT). “…the battle is not yours, but God’s. …...”
(2 Chronicles 20:1-30 NLT). “…you will not even need to fight...” (2
Chronicles 20:1-30 NLT).
“…Take your positions; then stand still..”
(2 Chronicles 20:1-30 NLT).
“…watch the Lord’s victory...” (2
Chronicles 20:1-30 NLT).
“…No weapon that is formed against [YOU]… shall prosper…” (Isaiah 54:17 KJV).
“...After they had destroyed the army of Seir, they began attacking each other. So when the army of Judah arrived at the
lookout point in the wilderness, all they saw were dead bodies lying on the
ground as far as they could see. Not a single one
of the enemy had escaped.
….On
the fourth day they gathered in the Valley of Blessing which got its name that day because the people praised and thanked
the Lord there. It
is still called the Valley of Blessing today. …the Lord
had given them
victory over their enemies...”
(2 Chronicles 20:1-30 NLT).
“…The LORD has done
great things for us …” (Psalms 126:3 NIV). “…Rejoice and be glad, For the LORD has
done great things…” (Joel 2:21 NASB). “…
Many, O Lord my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done …” (Psalms 40:5 KJV).
Daniel had been a FAITHFUL SERVANT and yet
he was INSIDE A STORM FACING the possibility of being THROWN into the DEN of LIONS.
INSIDE the STORMS of LIFE God’s people
began to experience God, the Holy Spirit’s, GREAT TRUTHS. They come to realize
there is a COST and CONSEQUENCE for standing in RIGHTEOUSNESS within an SINFUL
world.
That COST and those CONSEQUENCES are TESTS
or STORMS of LIFE many of God’s PEOPLE will FACE sooner or later. If they decide
to STAND UP for their FAITH by TRUSTING in and DEPENDING upon God, through
their tribulations, it could be costly. “...In
the world ye shall
have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world...” (John 16:33 KJV). “... Here
on earth you will have many trials and
sorrows. But take heart, because I
have overcome the world..." (John 16:44 NLT).
These TESTS may break their
hearts, make them cry, cost them much, be filled with shame, humiliation, disappointment,
and may cause them to feel terror. However God’s word says: “...Let
not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid...” (John 14:27
KJV). “...we must [go]...through much tribulation [to]...enter into the kingdom of God...” (Acts 14:22 KJV).
The bible ALSO says: “...despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved
us...” (Romans 8:37 NLT).
What was it like to Go
INSIDE the STORM or INSIDE the DEN of LIONS for Daniel? It is INSIDE the STORM
that Daniel’s faithfulness was tested. It was INSIDE the STORM that his
dedication and devotion for God was challenged. It is INSIDE the STORM that
Daniel discovers that God is ALL that he SAYS he is and MUCH MORE!! “…there is none
like unto thee…” (Jeremiah 10:6 KJV).
“… I,
the Lord, am your healer…” (Exodus 15:26).
“…God is the one who provides [for you]…” (2
Corinthians 9:10-13 KJV). “… God will supply all [your need]…” (Philippians
4:19 NASB).
“…He helps me…”
(Psalms 28:7 NLT).
“…The Lord helps them, rescuing them from the wicked. He saves them, and they find shelter in him…”
(Psalms 37:40 NLT). “… The Sovereign Lord helps me…” (Isaiah 50:7 NLT).
“…You are my helper and my savior…”
(Psalms 40:17 NLT).
“… [God] … will keep in
perfect peace all who trust in … [him] … all whose thoughts are fixed on … [him!]”
(Isaiah 26:3 NLT).
“….The Lord is [“your”] shepherd ….” (PSALM 23:1-3 NLT).
“… THE
LORD … is Your rock and Your
fortress, your deliverer, Your GOD, Your rock, in whom [you] … take refuge; Your
shield and
the horn of Your salvation, YOUR
stronghold.…" (Psalms 18:3 NASB).
“…I
the LORD am thy Saviour …[your STRENGTH
INSIDE the STORM]...”
(Isaiah 60:16 KJV).
He
will “…strengthened [you]… with
might by his Spirit in the
inner man…”
(Ephesians 3:16 KJV). “… [He strengthens
you]…according to the POWER that worketh
IN [YOU]…” (Ephesians 3:20 KJV). “… God … work[s] … in … [you] … what is
pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ…” (Hebrews 13:20-21 NIV). “…the Father … he doeth
the works…” (John 14:10 KJV).
INSIDE THE STORM YOU WILL KNOW THERE IS ‘NONE”
LIKE GOD
AND THAT
GOD, THE HOLY SPIRIT, IS “YOUR” GOD!!!! “…there is none
like unto thee…” (Jeremiah 10:6 KJV). “…I’ve ...
done... [marvelous things for you] ...so
you will know that I am the Lord…” (Exodus 10:1-2 NLT). “…your deliverer…” (Psalms 18:3 NASB).
“… “I AM WHO I AM
…”
(Exodus 3:14-15 NASB). “…I am the Lord, the God of all flesh…”
(Jeremiah 32:27 KJV). “…You are very
GREAT…”
(Psalm 104:1-2 NASB). “…there is none like unto thee…” (Jeremiah 10:6 KJV).
“… he [THAT] hath done marvellous things…”
(Psalm 98:1 KJV).
INSIDE the STORM one MUST look to God, the Holy Spirit, and God ALONE. “...We are powerless against
this mighty army that is about to attack us. We do not know what to do, but we are looking to you for help.” …” (2
Chronicles 20: 1-30 NLT).
“...Whom have I in
heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee. My
flesh and my heart faileth: but God is
the strength of my heart, and my
portion for ever...” (Psalm
73:25-26 KJV).
So like Jesus,
continually “… entrust yourself] to him who judges justly…”
(1 Peter 2:20-23 NIV).
Daniel was
a faithful servant, but even his faithfulness belonged to God. “...the
Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit
in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness,
and self-control…” (Galatians 5 NLT).
“…you will abound in HOPE
by
the power of the...[indwelling]... Holy Spirit…” (Romans 15:13 NASB). “…God, [the Holy Spirit is]... the source of HOPE,
[and] will fill you completely.... Then you will overflow with confident HOPE through the
power of the [indwelling] ...Holy Spirit…” (Romans 15:13 NLT).“...the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives...faithfulness…” (Galatians 5 NLT).
“…Apart from [the
excellent indwelling Holy Spirit]… [mankind cannot]... do nothing [they cannot
be faithful]…” (John 15:5 NIV).
“…The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness,
goodness, [faithfulness], Meekness, temperance…”
(Galatians 5:22-23 KJV). "....The Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives ...[faithfulness]…” (Galatians 5 NLT).
“...I
want to do what is good, but I don’t …” (Romans
7:14-25 NLT). “…Apart from [the
excellent indwelling Holy Spirit]… [mankind cannot]... do nothing [they cannot
be faithful]…” (John 15:5 NIV).
Without God, the Holy Spirit, you, me, or Daniel
could NOT be faithful. God, the Holy
Spirit, works faithfulness “IN” and “THROUGH” his people. “…God … does
the work IN and THROUGH all
of us who are his. … (1
Corinthians 12:4-11 NLT). “…
God … work[s] … in … [you] … what
is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ…” (Hebrews 13:20-21 NIV). “…the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works…”
(John 14:10 KJV).
It
is INSIDE the STORM that you realize, as God’s child, that all that YOU ARE, -
whether it is faithful, obedience, righteous, holy, truly loving, kind, self-controlled,
etc. – it is because of the indwelling
Holy Spirit. “…By the
GRACE of God I am what I am…” (1 Corinthians 15:10 NIV).
“….Apart from [the indwelling Holy
Spirit], you can do nothing…” (John 15:5 NIV).“…The …[indwelling]
...HOLY SPIRIT …is the
SOURCE of [your FRUIT of
FAITHFULNESS]… (1 Corinthians
12:4-11 NLT). “…It is …God [the indwelling Holy
Spirit] ... who does the work IN and
THROUGH all of us who
are his… (1 Corinthians 12:4-11 NLT).
“…The [indwelling]...HOLY
SPIRIT DISPLAYS God’s power THROUGH [you] … (1
Corinthians 12:4-11 NLT). “…It is
God who works in [you]… to will (to
desire to live faithful) and to act (to
actually live faithful) in order to fulfill his good purpose...”
(Philippians 2:13 NIV). “….Apart
from [the indwelling Holy Spirit], you can do nothing…” (John 15:5 NIV).
The SAME Holy Spirit that EMPOWERED Daniel to be a faithful servant is the
SAME Holy Spirit that EMPOWERED him
to GO through the STORM and the SAME Holy
Spirit that DELIVERED him from the DEN of LIONS! WOOHOO!!!!
“…HE WHICH
HATH “BEGUN” A GOOD “WORK” IN [YOU]… “WILL” “PERFORM” IT “UNTIL”
the day of Jesus Christ…” (Philippians 1:6 KJV). “…I am with you always, to the very end…"(Matthew
28:20 NIV). “… The steps of a good man (woman) are
ordered by the Lord...” (Psalms 37:23
KJV).
Daniel went INSIDE the
STORM and part of it required him to physically GO into the DEN of LIONS. “...Then the king
commanded, and they brought Daniel, and cast him into the den of lions ... And a stone was
brought, and laid upon the mouth of the den;
and the king sealed it with his own signet, and with the signet of his lords;
that the purpose might not be changed concerning Daniel... Then
the king arose very early in the morning, and went in haste unto the den of
lions. And when he came to the den, he cried with a
lamentable voice unto Daniel: and the king spake and said to Daniel, O Daniel,
servant of the living God, is thy God, whom thou servest continually, able to
deliver thee from the lions? Then said Daniel unto the king, O king, live for ever. My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the
lions' mouths, that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before him innocency
was found in me; and also before thee, O
king, have I done no hurt. Then was the king exceedingly glad for him, and commanded
that they should take Daniel up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no manner of
hurt was found upon him, because he believed in his God. And the king commanded,
and they brought those men which had accused Daniel, and they cast them into
the den of lions, them, their children, and their wives; and the lions had the
mastery of them, and brake all their bones in pieces or ever they came at the
bottom of the den. Then king Darius wrote unto all people,
nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth; Peace be multiplied unto
you. I make a decree, That in every dominion of my kingdom men tremble and fear before the
God of Daniel: for he is the living God, and stedfast for ever, and his kingdom that which shall not be
destroyed, and his dominion shall be even unto the end. He delivereth and
rescueth, and he worketh signs and wonders in heaven and in earth, who hath
delivered Daniel from the power of the lions. So this Daniel prospered in the reign of
Darius, and in the reign of Cyrus the Persian...” (Daniel 6:16:20 KJV).
“…Jesus
said to her, "Did I not say to you that if you believe (trust in, depend upon, &
cooperate with), you will SEE THE GLORY OF
GOD?…”(John 10:40 NASB).
SEEING the Glory of God means you
personally WITNESSED his presence, or his goodness, or his power, or ALL THREE.
INSIDE THE STORM; did Daniel witness God’s
presence (yes, an angel was sent to shut the lions mouths); did Daniel witness
God’s goodness (yes, he was found innocent before God and the king); and did
Daniel witness God’s power (yes, he was not hurt one bit)?
Daniel was faithful. Daniel went INSIDE a
STORM. Daniel was DELIVERED. Daniel “WAS” faithful and Daniel “WAS” delivered,
but most of his MIRACLES happened INSIDE the STORM.
God REVEALED himself to DANIEL, personally.
Daniel SAW the angel SHUT the lions’ mouths. Daniel was NOT hurt at ALL. Daniel
was found innocent in God’s sight and the sight of the king in spite of the
recent DECREE manipulated, into law, by the other governing body. Daniel was
used, by God, to ESTABLISH another LAW that overrode and supported kingdom-wide
FAITH in the LIVING God. “...Then king
Darius wrote unto all people, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the
earth; Peace be multiplied unto you. I make a decree, That in every dominion of my kingdom men
tremble and fear before the God of Daniel: for he is the living God, and
stedfast for ever, and his kingdom
that which shall not be destroyed, and his dominion shall be even unto the end.
He delivereth and rescueth, and he worketh signs and wonders in heaven and in
earth, who hath delivered Daniel from the power of the lions. So this Daniel
prospered in the reign of Darius, and in the reign of Cyrus the Persian...” (Daniel 6:16:20 KJV).
To TRULY
STAND in FAITH and WALK in RIGHTEOUSNESS can be costly. DURING the process
God’s OWN people may wonder about the benefit of doing the righteous thing.
The
consequences of LIVING RIGHTEOUS life could lead you RIGHT INSIDE A STORM such
as Herod’s dungeon, the Den of Lions, the fiery furnace, Job’s tragedies, a
loved one’s unexpected sickness or death, a divorce, heartbreak,
disappointment, the loss of wealth or material possessions, etc.
What is
FACED, when going INSIDE or THROUGH a STORM, is “NOT” always encouraging. Even though
one’s faith is strong, experiencing STORMS can make them physically
“terrified.”
Nonetheless,
continue to be faithful, trusting, hopeful, prayerful, and peaceful in spite of
the “feelings” of terror. When you are God’s child, living righteous, will
always LEAD you to OVERWHELMING VICTORY through Jesus Christ. “...despite all these
things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved
us...” (Romans 8:37 NLT).
“…That is why we never
give up. Though our bodies
are dying, our spirits are being renewed
every day. For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they
produce for us a glory that
vastly outweighs them and will last forever!”
(2 Corinthians 4:16-17 NLT).
INSIDE THE STORM, you
may experience feelings of weakness, mental and physical fatigue, nervousness,
being on the edge, anxiousness in regard to the unknown, or a desire to “give
up. “…Let us
NOT become weary in doing good,
for at the PROPER
TIME WE WILL REAP A HARVEST
if we do not give up” (Galatians 6:9 NIV).
He
will “…strengthened [you]… with
might by his Spirit in the
inner man…”
(Ephesians 3:16 KJV). “…God ...
never grows weak
or weary ...He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless.
Even youths will become weak and
tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion. But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagle
They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint…”
(Isaiah 40:28-31 NLT).
“...My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever...” (Psalm 73:23-26 NLT).
“...BY FAITH ...Their weakness was turned to strength….”
(Hebrews 11:1-35 NLT).
“…[God’s]...strength is made perfect in weakness...” (2
Corinthians 12:9 KJV).
In addition, God is
FAITHFUL to his Word and he doesn’t EVER change, therefore, “HE” will keep you
strong through it ALL! .”
“…HE (the indwelling Holy Spirit) “WILL” KEEP YOU STRONG
to the end…” (1 Corinthians 1:8 NLT).
“…God assured us, “I’ll never let you down, never walk off and
leave you,” we can boldly quote, God is there, ready to help; I’m fearless no matter
what. Who or what can get to me?”
(Hebrews 13:5 MSG).
“…I am the
Lord, I change NOT…” (Malachi 3:6 KJV).
INSIDE the STORMS of LIFE just because you
“feel” terrified, remember it is not the same as acting terrified. You may feel
one way and do something totally different. King Jehoshaphat felt terrified, but
he STILL prayed and turned to God.
Daniel was a faithful servant and he
refused to compromise his devotion to God. The cost and consequence of his
stand for righteous got him literally thrown into the den of lions.
His BOLDNESS of FAITH came FROM God’s
EMPOWERING strength, which provided him with the CONFIDENCE he needed to GO
through the STORM. God’s EMPOWERING strength helped him THROUGH the STORM and
into the OVERWHELMING VICTORY of DELIVERANCE!! “...overwhelming
victory is ours ...” (Romans 8:37 NLT).
When you look INSIDE the
STORM of Daniel God’s LOVE for him and God’s FAVOR is clearly WITNESSED. The
HOPE that Daniel’s story provides is one of ASSURANCE that God’s LOVING FAVOR,
is certainly upon those who BELONG to HIM.“…You (God, the Holy Spirit,) surround [your
people] WITH FAVOR as with a shield…” (Psalms 5:12 NASB).
“… [God’s]...BLESSING
is upon THY PEOPLE…”
(Psalms 3:8 KJV). “…YOU (God) MAKE [them]… “MOST” BLESSED
forever;
…” (Psalms 21:6 NASB).
God’s MAKES and
DEVELOPS his people into TRUE witnesses. He doesn’t want them to SIMPLY “know”
about his truth, but he wants them to EXPERIENCE his truth. God doesn’t want
his people to simply DO religious things, but he wants them to actually BECOME
righteous beings
INSIDE the STORM
Daniel’s TROUBLES changed him and prepared him for a PROMOTION. In addition, the
RIGHTEOUS stand, he took, not only lead Daniel INSIDE a STORM, that ended up in
his deliverance, but it also CAUSED a NEW LAW to become enacted that would
govern an entire nation toward the LIVING GOD! “...Then king Darius wrote unto all people, nations,
and languages, that dwell in all the earth; Peace be multiplied unto you. I
make a decree, That
in every dominion of my kingdom men tremble and fear before the God of Daniel:
for he is the living God, and stedfast for ever, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed, and his dominion
shall be even unto the end. He delivereth and rescueth, and he worketh signs
and wonders in heaven and in earth, who hath delivered Daniel from the power of
the lions. So this Daniel prospered in the reign of Darius, and in the reign of
Cyrus the Persian...”
(Daniel 6:16:20 KJV).
The BEAUTY and
EXCELLENCE of Daniel’s conduct comes from the
Holy Spirit and should be the MARK of every Child of God which “SETS” them
“APART” from ALL others. “…Ye shall know [those with the indwelling Holy Spirit]… by
their fruits…” (Matthew 7:16 KJV). “... The Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience,
kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness,
and self-control. …”
(Galatians 5 NLT).
INSIDE the STORMS of
LIFE, the EXPERIENCE is “REAL” and the Child of God comes to realize God has
ALLOWED the situation for his DIVINE purposes. Whether it is a lion’s den, a
fiery furnace, Herod’s dungeon, Job’s tragedies, death, divorce, unexpected
sicknesses, a group of scheming enemies, or whatever;
there is a REASON.
Most people would rather BLEND in with the
CROWD and will often COMPROMISE their righteous
standing than to STAND FIRM UPON IT.
Being LED by the HOLY SPIRIT will ALWAYS come into CONFLICT with any person or
groups of people who are NOT being LED by the
Holy Spirit “…The sinful nature wants
to do evil, which is just the opposite
of what the [indwelling Holy] Spirit wants ...These TWO FORCES are constantly fighting each other, so you are not FREE to carry out your good intentions...”
(Galatians 5 NLT).
“...Therefore [INSIDE the STORMS]... put on the
full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done
everything, to stand. Stand
firm...” (Ephesians 6:13-14 NIV).
“... Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil...” (Ephesians 6:11 NLT).
“…HE (the indwelling
Holy Spirit) “WILL” KEEP YOU STRONG to the end…” (1 Corinthians
1:8 NLT).
“…God assured us, “I’ll never let you down, never walk off and
leave you,” we can boldly quote, God is there, ready to help...”
(Hebrews 13:5 MSG).
“…He said, … Do not be afraid or discouraged ...the Lord is with you!” (2
Chronicles 20:1-30 NLT).
“…No weapon that is formed against [YOU]… shall prosper…” (Isaiah 54:17 KJV).
“…the battle is not yours, but God’s. …...”
(2 Chronicles 20:1-30 NLT).
“…you will not even need to fight...” (2
Chronicles 20:1-30 NLT).
“…Take your positions; then stand still..”
(2 Chronicles 20:1-30 NLT).
“…watch the Lord’s victory...” (2
Chronicles 20:1-30 NLT).
INSIDE DANIEL’S STORM: “..O
Daniel, servant of the living God, is thy God, whom thou servest continually,
able to deliver thee from the lions? Then said Daniel unto the king, O king, live for
ever. My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions' mouths, that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before him innocency was
found in me; and also before thee, O king,
have I done no hurt. Then ... the king ... commanded
that they should take Daniel up out of the den. So Daniel was taken
up out of the den, and no manner of hurt was found upon him, because he
believed in (trusted in, depended upon) his
God....” (Daniel
6:16:20 KJV).
“...He (God, the
Holy Spirit) delivereth and rescueth, and he worketh signs and wonders in
heaven and in earth...” (Daniel 6:16:20 KJV).
“...He (God, the
Holy Spirit) ....delivered Daniel from the
power of the lions...” (Daniel 6:16:20 KJV).
“...he (God, the Holy Spirit)...hath done marvellous things…” ( Psalms 98:1 KJV). “… Many, O Lord my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast
done …” (Psalms 40:5 KJV).
“...overwhelming
victory is ours ...” (Romans 8:37 NLT).
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