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Living with the LionsLessons from Daniel for
the new creature
2
Daniel lived in sixth century B.C., at the same
time as

• Construction on the Acropolis in Athens began
• Mayan civilization flourished in Mexico
• Aesop wrote his fables
• Confucius and Buddha lived
• Phoenicians made the first known sea journey
  around Africa
• Greeks introduced the olive tree to Italy

3
Living with the LionsOur life as a Daniel

1. Discipline in an undisciplined world
   Self-control and self-denial
2. Reserve driven by understanding that God is in
   control in the world but not of it
3. Character development in an unfavorable
   environment proficiency of prayer

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Daniels introduction to Babylon 1. Self
control and self denial

• And the king appointed them a daily provision of
  the kings meat, and of the wines which he drank,
  so nourishing them three years, that at the end
  thereof they might stand before the king. But
  Daniel proposed not to defile himself with the
  portion of the kings meat, nor with the wine
  which he drank therefore he quested of the
  prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile
  himself

5

• . Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days
  and let them give us pulse to eat and water to
  drink. Then let our countenances be looked upon
  before thee, as thou then seest deal with thy
  servants. And at the end of the ten days their
  countenances appeared fairer and fatter in flesh
  than all the children that did eat of the kings
  meat.
• --Daniel 1 5, 8, 12, 13, 15

6

• Chaldean schools were centers of literature,
  science, pseudo-science, architecture, music,
  politics, military, religion
• Daniel spent almost whole life in Babylon and
  engaged in the offerings that would help him
  succeed but did not surrender his values or
  knowledge of God
• Refused to participate in idolatry and
  self-indulgence at Babylons table
• Nothing morose or melancholy in abstinence

7

• Lessons
• We must use constraint in refusal to enter into
  worlds indulgences
• Dont be self-righteous or insulting in
  refusalsunderstand that you answer to a higher
  call
• Be congenial and encourage the good things and
  behavior you find along the Way

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Daniel 22. In the world but not of it

• And the king communed with them and among them
  all was found none like Daniel, Hananiah,
  Mishael, and Azariah therefore stood they before
  the king. And in all matters of wisdom and
  understanding, that the king enquired of them, he
  found them ten times better than all the
  magicians and astrologers that were in all his
  realm
• Daniel 119-20

9

• The king said to Daniel, whose name was
  Belteshazzar, Art thou able to make known unto me
  the dream which I have seen, and the
  interpretation thereof? Daniel answered in the
  presence of the king, and said, The secret which
  the king hath demanded cannot the wise men, the
  astrologers, the magicians, the soothsayers, shew
  unto the king But there is a God in heaven that
  revealeth secrets, and maketh known to the king
  Nebuchadnezzar what shall be in the latter days
• Daniel 226-28

10

• Daniel cast among speculations and superstitions
  of Babylon, including astrology (astronomy)
• Studied but applied a wisdom tempered by true
  religion and cultivation of mind from Jewish
  upbringing
• Knowledge of God made him superior to collective
  wisdom of Chaldeans
• Proved to be source of his deliverance from world
  of death

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• Lessons
• Observe them carefully, for this will show your
  wisdom and understanding to the nations, who will
  hear about all these decrees and say, "Surely
  this great nation is a wise and understanding
  people.Deuteronomy 46
• Wisdom is Gods greatest endowment to His
  children
• Study alone is insufficient
• In the dust of the Rabbi
• Knowledge not ultimate goal, study transforms
  into apt teachersnow for our brethren and for
  world in Millennial Age

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Daniels lessons for the new creature3.
Proficiency in prayer

• Now when Daniel knew that the writing was
  signed, he went into his house and his windows
  being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he
  kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and
  prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did
  aforetime. Then these men assembled, and found
  Daniel praying and making supplication before his
  God.
• Daniel 610-11

13

• In the first year of his reign I Daniel
  understood by books the number of the years,
  whereof the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah the
  prophet, that he would accomplish seventy years
  in the desolations of Jerusalem. And I set my
  face unto the Lord God, to seek by prayer and
  supplications, with fasting, and sackcloth, and
  ashes And I prayed unto the LORD my God, and
  made my confession
• Daniel 92-4

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• Daniels communion with God surpassed everything
  else, legal or illegal
• Daniels prayer deepened his relationship with
  God
• When Daniel read in Jeremiah deliverance was to
  come soon, determined all the more to pray for
  the predetermined cause
• In a world filled with chaos or a mind fraught
  with confusion, Daniel sought God first

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• Lessons
• Ephesians 618 Praying always with all prayer
  and supplication in the Spirit, and watching
  thereunto with all perseverance and supplication
  for all saints
• Luke 218-38 discusses how we should anticipate,
  watch, and pray regarding the unfolding of
  harvest-time events
• Luke 2136 is same word Paul uses in Ephesians to
  watch
• AGRUPNEO (Strongs 69) means to be sleepless, to
  keep awake
• Discussing spiritual, not natural life
• NAS says keep on the alert

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• Pray always in Pauls analogy relates to this
• Some translations dont go to sleep at the
  switch, be always on the watch, be ready all
  the time, beware of slumbering
• Doing battle with spiritual, not human nature
• Prayer during all kinds of occasions we are in to
  provide proper perspective on how our actions are
  to be shaped by our watching
• Identifying problems, engaging them, dealing with
  them

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• Psalm 5517-21 David is set upon by enemies who
  terrify him and make him want to flee.
• But I call to God and the Lord rescues me.
  Evening and morning and noon I complain and I
  moan, and He hears my voice. He has ransomed my
  life unharmed from my battle, for many were
  against meIshmael and Jalam and the dweller in
  the east, who never will change and do not fear
  God. He reached out his hand against his
  allies, profaned his own pact.
• Brethren are in desperate situations and we cry
  to God for help
• Prayer used on all occasions for one another
  builds esprit de corps

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Seven additional lessons

1. God will reveal plan to those seeking Him (Daniel
   2 19)
2. We give honor to God by our conduct (Daniel 2
   20-23)
3. Differentiate in our activity between righteous
   and unrighteous things- (Daniel 2 27)
4. Speak with wisdom based on scripture (Daniel 2
   31-45)

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• 5. Humility means strong recognition of others in
  The Way. (Daniel 2 49)
• Always do what is right rather than what is
  expedient. (Daniel 6 10)
• Doubt is deception and should be dismissed
  quickly. (Daniel 6 23)

Amen