This is the second in a series of verse-by-verse expositions of the book of Daniel. This message was delivered at Hillcrest Baptist Church on the morning of August 5, 2012. The message deals with the test of our faithfulness, and how God honors that obedience. This contains an audio recording of my message, along with my sermon notes and a study outline. Please note that the sermon notes are not a full transcript.
AUDIO – Listen Now:
AUDIO – Download Link:
Study Outline:
SERMON NOTES:
Daniel 1:10-21 / The Test:
vv.10-11:
Daniel would have to overcome the eunuch’s fear.
It is understandable that the eunuch had a fear of the king, because it is almost certain that he did not know the true God.
If he didn’t know God, he wouldn’t know to fear God.
We can’t expect the unsaved to have a fear of God.
It is obvious; however that Daniel feared God more than he feared the king, and if Daniel were to win over the eunuch in charge, he couldn’t afford to show fear.
Daniel would need to be very confident of what he was proposing. This is a lesson for us, in that when we stand for God, we need to have boldness and confidence in Him.
Daniel certainly approached the chief of the eunuchs in confidence. He knew that God would honor his obedience.
v.12:
Notice how Daniel approached the eunuch. He said please. Daniel was kind, courteous and respectful.
We need to be gracious to those in authority, even when we are opposing them.
Proverbs 16:7
“Throughout Scripture you will find courageous people who had to defy authority in order to obey God. In every case, they took the wise and gentle approach.”
“Think of the examples of the Hebrew midwives in Ex chapter 1, the Apostles in Acts chapter 4. All of them had to resist the law in order to obey God, and God gave them success (but not always without consequences). They had a meek and quiet spirit.”
Romans 12:18
Next, Daniel took a reasoned approach. He didn’t ask for all or nothing, he eased his way into it.
v.13:
Daniel’s offer left the decision on whether or not to continue with the diet in the hands of the chief eunuch.
Not only that, Daniel did not ask the Eunuch to take any risk that he wasn’t willing to take himself.
“We, as Christians, certainly have no right to ask others, especially the unsaved, to take risks that we won’t take ourselves.”
v.14:
Though he was obviously fearful of disobeying the king, God opened the Eunuch’s heart to Daniel’s plea.
The Eunuch consented, and God’s plan was well underway.
v.15:
“In the end, these four boys were healthier and better looking than all the other young men.
This is an illustration of the promise of Matthew 6:33
and of the principles laid down in:”
Colossians 4:5
1 Thessalonians 4:12
1 Peter 3:15
v.16:
“Often we will face problems in life, and we need to trust God for the strength and courage to face them.
Our motives should not be to find a way out. Our question should not be “how can I get out of this?” but “what is God trying to give me out of this?””
v.17:
God blessed the obedience of these young men with knowledge and gifts that would serve the well in the coming years.
None of them started out with this knowledge / abilities.
They made up their mind to be obedient, and God rewarded them with the attributes they would need in order to stay obedient.
Our rewards may not always be quite the same, but they will be what we will what we need, based on our situation.
v.18:
The time was up, and the real test had come.
God had allowed them to successfully deal with the chief of the eunuchs, but now it was time to face the king.
v.19:
These young men excelled, and the king was impressed with them. They received positions within the King’s court.
v.20:
Though Daniel and his friends were forced to study things which were contrary to their faith, they still excelled in their studies.
They obviously had a good (Godly) foundation laid early in life, which gave them the discernment they needed to not be corrupted.
Our children today, are forced to learn many things which are contrary to our faith.
The difference is that, all too often, a proper foundation has not been laid, and our children become brainwashed and corrupted.
These boys; however, were found to be ten times better than the king’s wisest people.
You can get training and education to make a living, but you need more than that for a ministry for God.
For God’s ministry, you will need divine gifts and divine help, and that’s exactly what these four boys got.
v.21:
Daniel and his friends proved themselves, not through compromise, but by strict obedience to God.
With God’s help, these boys received gifts that would allow them to excel for the rest of their lives.
In fact, Daniel made it through the Babylonian empire, and into the Persian empire.
Cyrus of Persia conquered Babylon in 539 b.c., 66 years after Daniel had been taken captive. Daniel would have been more than 80 years old.
The lives of these four young men were forever changed.
In like manner, when I share the Word of God with you, my goal is not to get an attaboy at the end of the service. My goal is not to hear “Good message, preacher.”
Its about seeing hearts stirred and lives changed.
Its about seeing people make deep commitments, and develop a closer walk with Christ.
Its about igniting a passion for Christ, and sharing His word with the lost.
Its about revival.
We saw obedience, we saw it tested, and we saw the payoff.
The choice is yours today!
In Defense: The Blog 
Posted on August 10, 2012
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