The Living God

Daniel 6:1-28

Key 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.

In this passage we can learn the life of prayer, which enables us to prosper despite enemies' attempt to destroy us. 

1. Read vs. 1-5 and compare this passage with the remainder of the chapter. Who do you think enabled Daniel to perform so well? Yet how did Daniel practically bring God's help into his life (10)?

** He performed so well not because he was more able or smarter than any others but because the God whom he served with a devoted heart enabled him. Read Daniel 2:19-23. 

** Prayer.

2. Read vs. 6-9. They went to the king "as a group" (11, 15). What does this show us about them? What do you think was the real problem of these administrators and satraps (1Co 3:3; 2Co 12:20; Gal 5:20)? How can we overcome a problem like this (2Co 10:12; Gen 1:28; 1Pe 5:6)?

** They were driven by "group" mentality, showing they relied on "people's power". 

This is what the devil does all the time. See how the communists like Il-sung Kim, Mao Tse-dong or Lenin relied on the people's power to thwart God's truth and destroy the innocent. 

But the Lord God helps each person one by one, all in person. Plus the one who loves the Lord God finds himself and his worth before God and never attacks anyone as a group. 

** Jealousy. This has been the problem of communists as well, and on many occasions is the root cause for domestic fights and church divisions. 

But not all jealousy is bad; there is godly jealousy (2Co 11:12). After all God is also the God of jealousy. 

But their jealousy was ungodly. 

** We must learn to live before God and find the value and position of ourselves and others in God. 

3. Read vs. 10-11. This passage describes Daniel's life of prayer. What do the following expressions teach us about prayer: 

1) When Daniel learned that the decree had been published he went home to his upstairs room; 

2) Where the windows opened toward Jerusalem; 

3) Three times a day; 

4) He got down on his knees and prayed; 

5) Giving thanks;

6) To his God just as he had done before; and

7) Praying and asking God for help? 

** Daniel prayed not only in good times but in bad times. 

** Daniel prayed to the right person, for his eyes (i.e., the spiritual "windows" attached to his mind) were "opened" toward "Jerusalem" (not only the physical Jerusalem but the spiritual Jerusalem which is above, and in which the throne of God is and from which the Lord God rules the universe). 

** He prayed regularly, i.e., before the battle, during the battle, and after the battle. 

** He prayed in total humility admitting that the challenges he has in life are way beyond his capacity. 

** He had total faith in God who gives him total victory over all kinds of enemies. 

** He had personal faith in the personal God.

** He believed in God who provides him with all kinds of assists like wisdom, power, protection, etc. 

4. Read vs. 12-28. The expression "living God" is repeated twice (20, 26). What does "living" suggest to us about God? As "the living God" how does he practically help his children? 

 ** The “living” means that God is alive, working what he has in mind. Like every living creature the Lord God not only exists but also practically rewards those who earnestly seek him. Heb 11:6. 

** He provides through two categories of help: 1) protection from our enemies; and 2) prosperity.

** Write a Bible testimony about one thing you learned and decided to do re: prayer. 

---