One morning the Lord directed me to the book of Daniel, when I started reading this remarkable story of Daniel life the verse below stood out to me and The Lord spoke to me. He said “this verse tells My people how to succeed through Me in this world. So lets read the verse !
Daniel 6:3 (NIV)
“Now Daniel so distinguished himself among the administrators and the satraps by his exceptional qualities that the king planned to set him over the whole kingdom”.
Daniel was able to live in the world but not be of it, or influenced by it. Interesting right?
Even as we read on in Daniel 6 we see when things get tough and laws are written not allowing him to be himself (a child of God and talked to God through prayer ) he still does it, he still seeks first Love to have a Relationship and Commune with God.
This is not to show off or to make a point, but it’s because Daniel knew you cannot have a relationship without communion and communication! Being one with God or what Jesus spoke about Abiding in Him. (John 15:7)
Corinthians 7:31 TPT
“We are to live as those who live in the world but are not absorbed by it………..”
Daniel understood that a LIFESTYLE OF PRAYER was the only thing that separated him from the world around him. In this place he was able to enter into a place I call the mind of Christ to access His will as Paul talks about in Romans 12:2
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—Hisgood, pleasing and perfect will”. Romans 12:2
Yes when we live like this take heart, we will face obstacles, challenges and opposition as this what happens in the middle part of Daniel 6
1 Corinthians 11:19 (NIV)
“No doubt there have to be differences among you to show which of you have God’s approval”.
Yet Daniel never saw the challenges of the opposition of those around him, the kings decree or the lion’s den as problems, instead he took each in His stride!
Is it he knew something we didn’t?
Yes he knew that they were STEPPING STONES to his promotion through the road map of life that the Lord had put in his hands and asked him to walk.
What roadmap has the Lord put in your hands and asked you to walk?
You see your promotion comes from God’s Goodness and through you being a witness of this to a hurting world around you! Wow! Selah there!
Daniels trial was used by the Lord to reveal Himself to the king through power, and through it the King’s life and the peoples were forever changed!
Listen to the words of the King at the end of Daniel 6
Daniel 6:26-27 (NIV)
“I issue a decree that in every part of my kingdom people must fear and reverence the God of Daniel. For He is the living God and He endures forever; His kingdom will not be destroyed, His dominion will never end.
He rescues and he saves; He performs signs and wonders in the heavens and on the earth.
He has rescued Daniel from the power of the lions.”
Let me end with a favourite scripture of mine that I think this message is around…
The Way of Escape
“We all experience times of testing, which is normal for every human being.
But God will be faithful to you. He will screen and filter the severity, nature, and timing of every test or trial you face so that you can bear it. And each test is an opportunity to trust Him more, for along with every trial God has provided for you a way of escape that will bring you out of it victoriously”. 1 Corinthians 10:13 (TPT)
This is what the Lord did with Daniel and the world around him was changed because of it
So are you a willing vessel like Daniel was?
“For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him”. 2 Chronicles 16:9 (NIV)
So they can fulfil His will of Heaven here on earth
Challenge Time:
1. If you’re a willing vessel as Daniel was, then pray this prayer. Lord here I am to be used to reveal Your goodness to the world around me
2. If you’re in a battle Say this prayer Father let Your will be down through me, that through the escape and victorious victory the community around me will be transformed.
3.If your finding the world is influencing the way you think leading you to fear or a place of rejection. Then here is a prayer for you. Lord strengthen my whole hearts so I am able to live in the world but not be influenced by it. In Jesus name Amen.
4. Worship Time – Give Him all the Glory, Honour and Praise He is Worthy! Forever Worthy!
Father we ask that Your will reveal Your purposes, plansand will to Your children and strengthen them so that the world around them can be transformed around them through Your power. AMEN
