In life we can find ourselves in situations that are beyond our control. Sometimes in life there are events that at first glance appear hopeless and there is nothing we can do about them. There is no human way out but no matter what we must trust God. This is where we actually choose to believe in the “God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth, who delivers your enemies into your hand.” We see this several times with these men Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, that their lives were on the line and they faced insurmountable circumstances but their trust in God did not waiver. Daniel, along with these men, was definitely gifted by God beyond measure and was very wise. Earlier we saw in Daniel 1:17 “To these four young men God gave knowledge and understanding of all kinds of literature and learning. And Daniel could understand visions and dreams of all kinds. 20 In every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the king questioned them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters in his whole kingdom.” Daniel then found himself about to be executed even with all this wisdom because of a dream that troubled the king and he wanted it interpreted but this was a no-win situation. Daniel 2:5 “The king replied to the astrologers, “This is what I have firmly decided: If you do not tell me what my dream was and interpret it, I will have you cut into pieces and your houses turned into piles of rubble. 6 But if you tell me the dream and explain it, you will receive from me gifts and rewards and great honor. So tell me the dream and interpret it for me.” The men answered “11 What the king asks is too difficult. No one can reveal it to the king except the gods, and they do not live among humans. 12 This made the king so angry and furious that he ordered the execution of all the wise men of Babylon. 13 So the decree was issued to put the wise men to death, and men were sent to look for Daniel and his friends to put them to death.” I would say this would be categorized as an insurmountable situation.
Daniel then found out about it and asked for time. They pleaded with God and during the night the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision. After praising God he went to the king and told him his dream and the interpretation. Daniel 2:8 “Then the king placed Daniel in a high position and lavished many gifts on him. He made him ruler over the entire province of Babylon and placed him in charge of all its wise men. 49 Moreover, at Daniel’s request the king appointed Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego administrators over the province of Babylon, while Daniel himself remained at the royal court.” God intervened and saved them from this seemingly impossible situation.
Daniel now in a high position ruled over the land, this time under King Darius. Daniel 6:3 “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. 4 At this, the administrators and the satraps tried to find grounds for charges against Daniel in his conduct of government affairs, but they were unable to do so. They could find no corruption in him, because he was trustworthy and neither corrupt nor negligent. 5 Finally these men said, “We will never find any basis for charges against this man Daniel unless it has something to do with the law of his God.” So again Daniel’s faith is put to the test and he was set up. Daniel was put in a situation of obeying God or man. Acts 5:29 “Peter and the other apostles replied: "We must obey God rather than human beings!” Daniel 6:10 “Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before.” (Notice that he just kept doing what he had always done) Now the men saw him praying and the law of the Medes and Persians had to be put into effect that the king has established. To the kings dismay “16 he gave the order, and they brought Daniel and threw him into the lions’ den. The king said to Daniel, “May your God, whom you serve continually, rescue you!” I think most know the rest of the story but remember this is more than a story; this is how God works. The king hurried to the lion’s den and said “in an anguished voice, “Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to rescue you from the lions?” 21 Daniel answered, “May the king live forever! 22 My God sent his angel, and he shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, because I was found innocent in his sight. Nor have I ever done any wrong before you, Your Majesty. 23 The king was overjoyed and gave orders to lift Daniel out of the den. And when Daniel was lifted from the den, no wound was found on him, because he had trusted in his God.”
Now we see the tables turned and the enemy defeated. Daniel 6:24 “At the king’s command, the men who had falsely accused Daniel were brought in and thrown into the lions’ den, along with their wives and children. And before they reached the floor of the den, the lions overpowered them and crushed all their bones.” (Your disobedience can have generational affects) 25 Then King Darius wrote to all the nations and peoples of every language in all the earth: “May you prosper greatly! 26 “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. 27 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.” I choose to believe God will still turn the tables on our enemies today.
We must always remember that we are put in these insurmountable situations not to make ourselves known but to make God known. Daniel had interpreted another dream for king Nebuchadnezzar that would remove him from his throne and affect his mental state. Daniel said Daniel 4:26 “your kingdom will be restored to you when you acknowledge that Heaven rules. 27 Therefore, Your Majesty, be pleased to accept my advice: Renounce your sins by doing what is right, and your wickedness by being kind to the oppressed. It may be that then your prosperity will continue.” until you acknowledge that the Most High is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone he wishes.” 34 At the end of that time, I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes toward heaven, and my sanity was restored. Then I praised the Most High; I honored and glorified him who lives forever. His dominion is an eternal dominion; his kingdom endures from generation to generation. 35 All the peoples of the earth are regarded as nothing. He does as he pleases with the powers of heaven and the peoples of the earth. No one can hold back his hand or say to him: “What have you done?” 36 At the same time that my sanity was restored, my honor and splendor were returned to me for the glory of my kingdom. My advisers and nobles sought me out, and I was restored to my throne and became even greater than before. 37 Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, because everything he does is right and all his ways are just. And those who walk in pride he is able to humble.” David said in his prayer, 1 Chronicles 17:23 “and now, Lord, let the promise you have made concerning your servant and his house be established forever. Do as you promised, 24 so that it will be established and that your name will be great forever. Then people will say, ‘The Lord Almighty, the God over Israel, is Israel’s God!’
So remember that God may have you in an overwhelming situation to make His name known to the nations but never stop trusting in Him. 1 Chronicles 5:20 “They were helped in fighting them, and God delivered the Hagrites and all their allies into their hands, because they cried out to him during the battle. He answered their prayers, because they trusted in him, the battle was God’s.” If you find yourself in situation that seems hopeless, Joshua 1:7 “be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. 8 Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
