Sermon Summary

Daniel 6:3 Daniel is known to possess an "excellent spirit". This is the spirit of the Living God. Because of this, the other presidents and princes were jealous.

1 John 3:2 This is the same jealousy Cain had against Abel.

Daniel 6:5 We will have the same problem. Let us hope that the only accusation against us will be because of religion.

Daniel 6:6-9 The princes plotted against Daniel. This brought Daniel to a point of decision, but it was one he had made long ago - to be true to God.

Isaiah 46:1-5 Daniel was 84 years old at this time. God promises special protection for the elderly. He gives you assurance that he will carry you even to your old age. See also Isaiah 40:31, Leviticus 19:32, and Proverbs 20:29. God honored Daniel in his old age.

Daniel 6:10-13 Daniel prayed and spies were watching. They ran to the king to report what they had seen.

Daniel 6:14-16 The king was displeased. He believed in Daniel's God.

Daniel 6:18 The king spent the night fasting. It is too bad people wait until they do something wrong to consider the repercussions of their actions. When the king agreed to the decree, he placed himself in the position of adoration and praise, taking God's rightful place. Now he regretted his actions. Colossians 6:7

Daniel 6:20-23 The king called for Daniel and he responded. The king was delighted. He was impressed that in spite of his own misdeeds God had protected Daniel.

Daniel 6:24 The perpetrators were then thrown into the lions den and were eaten before they hit the ground. God had protected Daniel.

Daniel 6:25 The king made a decree that God is God. What a tremendous declaration. The people at that time had many gods but the king declared that there is but one true god - the Living God of Daniel.

As we share this testimony, God will protect us. This is the time to make the decision that Daniel made - to be true to God. It is easy to think now while we enjoy freedom that we will serve God. But when the time comes that we may not have this freedom, we will find it a difficult decision to make unless we have committed to it now. People that don't stand up for God now when things are easy will not stand up for him in times of difficulty.

Make your decision today.