“THE VICTORY OVER OPPOSITION”

Daniel                                                                                                                                                                                            Chapter 6

There are a variety of phrases that spring up in the common everyday use of the English language in America. Thus, improper English, slang expressions and modern day idioms are laced throughout human discussions. Words even take on new meaning due to how people change the use of words. There are times such verbal sayings are regional, ethnic or vocational jargon. In such cases a person needs to be a part of the group having the discussion in order to understand what’s being said. Let me illustrate this point with a modern day common phrase. We hear people often say, “What comes around goes around”. In previous generations it was expressed as, “There’s nothing new under the sun”. We are usually saying, when we use either of these  phrases, that life includes repetition.

In all of life things occur over and over again. Even when new experiences take place, certain aspects are cyclical. About the time a person thinks they  have taken care of a particular issue in life, it reappears; usually without warning. This is true for Christians as they live their lives also. It is seen in the     lives of the people in the Old Testament. We encounter such a string of situations by the time we come to Daniel 6. We noticed that in chapter 1     Daniel and three other Hebrew noblemen had to take a stand for their beliefs concerning God. Then in chapter 3, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego have their faith tested a second time. Now, in chapter 6, (under a totally different king) Daniel is again put to a test for his faith.

In the various events of his life, Daniel’s growing faith brought with it opposition from certain individuals; even while receiving support from others.   Daniel is not the only servant of God to encounter such a split in peoples’ attitudes. It happens with Christians today, also. Thus, since there are similarities between then and now, there are lessons we can learn from this familiar story of Daniel in the lion’s den. So, let’s begin!

1.     OPPOSITION TO BIBLICAL FAITH WILL REOCCUR THROUGHOUT A BELIEVER’S LIFE OF MINISTRY.

The stance a Christian takes for the Lord will be questioned over and over again. It will often be the very same question each time. The issue never gets resolved or laid to rest when someone is in opposition to a believer’s faith. We have discovered in our series of sermons on the Old Testament prophets that opposition occurred regularly. These men grew to expect this ongoing ordeal. If you add other Old Testament servants of God to the mix you will find this conclusion reinforced. Moses was opposed throughout the wilderness journey of the Israelites. David was continuously pursued by King Saul because of recurring jealousy. Elijah faced such ongoing animosity from King Ahab and Queen Jezebel, he despaired of life. We could continue to establish the case for this first lesson if we wanted to take the time.

In the book of Daniel we see him at prayer as a practice in his life. He is blessed by God because of his faith to trust God in everything. But, according  to verses 4-9 a plot was hatched by the administrative team of the Medean government. Daniel’s peers were so angry at his upcoming appointment over them that they brought into place legislation to outlaw Daniel’s prayer life. Once again his life of faith comes under attack! That’s the way the world works. Not only is opposition a fact of life for God’s servants but it comes from all segments of humanity. Often, as we’ve pointed out, believers face opposition from those in the world. In John 15:18-19 Jesus said, “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged   to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.” In fact, this is where much anger, resentment and hostility comes from. But it is not just from the world’s non-Christians that God’s people receive persecution and turmoil. It would be wonderful if Christians could count on only needing to defend themselves from the voices of pagan humanity. That would be daunting, enough.

But, often Christians face intense opposition from those within the ranks of Christianity. Tragically, while Christians are expecting to face hostility from those of the world, sometimes the same Christians get ambushed by those who are part of God’s flock. This brings about a feeling of betrayal by those who should be supportive and understanding. In this context, Christian disputes have arisen inside the church, down through the generations. And this opposition never seems to abate. Over and over again the same issues keep popping up. Some criticize the version of Scripture being used, or the style of music used in a service, how others dress or the length of their hair when they come to church. Often personal preferences are treated as “gospel issues” though they are not a part of the gospel at all. God is not pleased with such petty division in His church. Yet, it is an accurate picture of the relationships between some church people (at times).

 In Galatians 5:19-21, the list of the acts of the sinful nature include discord and dissension; two sinful acts which obviously cover the issues I have just described to you (as Christian criticisms). There are verses in the New Testament that speak of unity, of bearing with one another, of forgiveness    (to the same extent as God through Christ has forgiven His own) and of acceptance in love. Colossians 3:15 instructs us to “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace”. Such verses on unity and forgiveness comprise a TIDAL WAVE    in contrast to the verses which speak of ceasing to fellowship with brothers and sisters in the Lord. And, guess what? Inside criticism is a repeat of the grumbling and complaining of the Israelites in the wilderness. Once again we could say, “What comes around goes around”. God’s Word speaks sternly against those who bring contention into the life of the church. Praise God, that at this time, such critical dissension is not a part of this fellowship.

In summation of our first lesson; like Daniel, Christians will face opposition from without and from within for the duration of their earthly life. We must count on it! And we must know that many times the same complaints will keep on following a cycle. Circumstances change, such as the kings under whom Daniel worked. But criticism continually rose up! And the same criticism came from some of the same people who were part of his administrative team. The opposition kept attacking his faith. There were times when he was tempted to quit, but he had the forbearance to withstand the continual assault. And, Christians have to exemplify the same tenacity over the course of ministry. A disheartening word will NOT carry the day!

2.     ENCOURAGEMENT FOR PRACTICING BIBLICAL FAITH WILL REOCCUR THROUGHOUT A BELIEVER’S LIFE OF MINISTRY!

Look with me at King Darius and his literal thinking and feelings concerning Daniel. Verse 14 tells us he was distressed about the fate of Daniel. He gave every effort he could bring to bear in an attempt to rescue Daniel from the sentence. He was over a barrel. One would think that with the king being in such favor toward Daniel that Daniel was safe. But it is God who saved Daniel not the king. Daniel had the king’s support. It was so intense that verse 18 tells us “the king returned to his palace and spent the night without eating and without any entertainment being brought to him. And he could not sleep.” Verse 19 tells us he didn’t even wait for the alarm clock to go off the following morning. In fact, we are told in verse 19 that the king was at the lion’s den “at the first light of dawn”. It is at this moment that Daniel has the occasion to witness for his Lord. We are told that God’s angel came and shut the lions’ mouths so Daniel was saved. If you read verses 25-27 you observe a second ruler over Daniel who reached a conclusion that Daniel’s God “Is the living God and He endures forever…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.”

God provided peers who offered encouragement to Daniel: like Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. And God provided the current king to be supportive of Daniel. Take note, however, that the king’s hands were tied politically by the intrigue of sinful men. Daniel received favor from the king,   but his rescue came from God. And we would be blind to not see that Daniel was not surprised by such an outcome. He answers the king verbally in the early morning following the night’s ordeal. His response shows us he had been confident all along that if rescue would happen it would be by the hands  of God and not the king. His faith is clearly seen by Darius and publicly noted.

So it is with God’s people. When undergoing hardship, allowed by God, Himself, this servant found his God faithful. God provided a ruler who would  be supportive of the prophet. So it is with us today. In the midst of trial and suffering for the Savior, God most often literally provides someone in life to give the needed encouragement for the Christian in ministry. The encouragement does not provide the way of escape from the ordeal, necessarily. The answers and rescue come from God and God alone. God is in control. He quite often brings someone into His child’s life in order to be a source of encouragement to “hang in there”. The lesson is for us to forbear or persevere. The New Testament tells us, “I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me!” (Phil 4:13) I finish with this reminder: the victory over opposition comes... when you surrender to God.