Daniel week 7

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Daniel 6:1-28 p. 828

the Calling Daniel 6:1-9

Jeremiah 29:7 But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the LORD on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.

70 years of faithful, fruitful presence

What does this get him? v. 4-9

If people were trying to bring you down, what would they go after?

the Commitment Daniel 6:10-15

Daniel 6:10 When Daniel knew that the document had been signed, he went to his house where he had windows in his upper chamber open toward Jerusalem. He got down on his knees three times a day and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as he had done previously.

daily defiant dependence

Prayer as a discipline has its greatest force in strengthening the spiritual life only as we learn to pray without ceasing.We can train ourselves to invoke God’s presence in every action we perform. This is an experiential fact that has been proven in the lives of many disciples of Jesus, ancient and modern. God will meet us in love and love will keep our hearts and minds directed towards him as the magnet pulls the needle of a compass.

Habit will be confirmed in gracious interaction, and our whole lives will be bathed in the presence of God. Constant prayer will only “burden” us as wings burden a bird in flight. - Dallas Willard, The Spirit of the Disciplines

Did you notice the contrast?

Daniel 6:14 Then the king, when he heard these words, was much distressed and set his mind to deliver Daniel. And he labored till the sun went down to rescue him.

the downside to this story

false charges weak ruler condemned sealed pit

the Cost Daniel 6:16-24

How does our God rescue?

Daniel 6:21-22 Then Daniel said to the king, “O king, live forever! My God sent his angel and shut the lions' mouths, and they have not harmed me, because I was found blameless before him; and also before you, O king, I have done no harm.”

My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Psalm 22:1

Save me from the mouth of the lion! Psalm 22:21

the Celebration Daniel 6:25-28

What are you celebrating?

confess celebrate commit