DANIEL MAN OF MYSTERY

 

Daniel the Man of Mystery:   Dan 10:23 & 10:12 – April 19, 2009

 

Intro:  I am so excited to be able to share with you two message on the life, ministry and book of Daniel.  He is in the top three of my favourite Old Testament heroes.  Daniel was a man who saw tomorrow but life was relevant for his time.  He was a man blameless and above reproach in an empire of deceit, corruption and petty politics.    Like Joseph he had an ability to interpret dreams and visions and he was a Prime Minister of a great empire.

In this message I will focus on two things and introduce examples and vignettes from Daniel’s life to illustrate the point.  Today, I will talk about the power of prayer.

 

1.  Prayer as we know is the most powerful form of communication.  You are

     Conversing with the creator of the universe.  This was made possible through the

     Death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  Prayer is all powerful because God is

     All powerful.

 

A  .Daniel showed most this dramatically when he prayed for God to answer his request

      To interpret Nebuchadnezzer dream in Dan 2:17-23 which saved him and the wise

     Men of Babylon. 

B.  Daniel learned through practical means that prayer was his only protection from those

     That sought to hurt, slander and destroy him.  Do you and I know this? 

 

1.  Daniel understood that prayer is essential to be a man of faith and hero for God.  It

     Along with the word, faith and the power of the Holy Spirit enables a person to not

     Bow to the world.

2.  Through the power of prayer the Lions Den and the fiery furnace was no match for

     God’s power and love. 

 

C.  Prayer enables us to fully experience God’s love and power in the midst of trails. 

     Prayer gives us insight on how God hates arrogance and selfishness and it shows how

     When we trust and acknowledge God we have the victory.

 

2.  Daniel was a man that understood that certain conditions enabled him to have

     Successful prayer.  They are as follows.

 

 

a.  Contrition.  2 Chron 7:14, says that we must humble ourselves, seek his face, turn

     From our wicked ways and pray.  This will bring, God’s hearing, forgiveness and

    Healing.

b.  Wholeheartedness.  Jer 29:13 says, when we seek God we will find Him, when we

     Seek him with all our heart. 

c.  Faith.  Mark 11:24, Jesus stated that if we ask in prayer and believe we will have it.

d.  Righteousness.  James 5:16, says that the effective fervent prayer of a righteous man

     Avails much.

e.  Obedience.  1 Jn 3:22, reminds us that we will receive from Him anything we ask

     Because we obey His commands and do what pleases Him.

 

f.  Daniel’s life pleased God.  The background for our two scriptures is that Daniel was

    Interceding for His nation.  He did this with, prayer, petition, fasting and sackcloth and

    Ashes.  Gabriel came and told him in Dan 9:23, that as soon as you began to pray an

    Answer was given. 

g.  Daniel was told he was highly esteem by God.  You meet the conditions prayer and

     You will always be successful.

 

3.  Daniel was also aware of two other things.  First, that prayer could be delayed.  In our

     Second scripture Dan 10:12.  That as soon as Daniel words were uttered they were

     Heard by God.  Yet it took 3 weeks for the answer to come because of demonic

     Hindrance.  The demonic prince of Persia had stopped Gabriel so Michael came to

     Help. 

 

a.  Never be discouraged if prayer takes a while there are reasons.  Jesus taught about

     Being persistent, to keep on asking and hold onto the word.

b.  Daniel was also aware of other hindrances. 

 

1.  Disobedience.  Dt 1:45, a Sam 14:37 & 28:6

2.  Secret Sin.  Ps 66:18

3.  Neglect of mercy.  Pr 1:28

4.  Despising the law or word of God.  Pr 28:9

5.  Iniquity.  Is 59:8, Mic 3:4

6.  Stubbornness.  Zech 7:13

7.  Instability.  James 1:6-7

8  Self indulgence.  James 4:3

 

c.  Daniel knew that God was going to do some important things in the future and that

    His people must be aware and ready for his return.  Are you ready?  Do you live

     Ready? 

d.  Daniel knew that the sovereignty of God always succeeds over the plans and affairs

     Of man.  That God would have His way the sacred and secular societies.  That God’s

     Kingdom will always triumph over satanic and world powers.  Nebuchadnezzer and

     Belshazzar was both humbled by God. 

e.  Prayer is an essential part in what I just mentioned.  God is in control and beginning

    To move.  He is concerned about your world, you needs, dreams, destiny and future.

    Our scriptures today confirm the power of answered prayer.