SUNDAY SERMONS

Kingdom of God – 4

 

Kingdom of God – 4

Matthew 6:33 “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

                We see the people in this world will search for many things. They might be searching for specific things to fulfill their needs.  Sometimes our hearts will be clouded with many burdens and we keep thinking about it. But the scripture has an answer to this. As recorded in the above verse, the Lord asks us to search for the kingdom of God first and his righteousness. When we seek God’s kingdom and his divine righteousness, everything will be taken care of. The Lord will take care of everything that concerns us.

Daniel 6:10 ‘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.

                In the above passage we see the reluctance of Daniel towards the new signed writing that was put in place. We see Daniel was aware of the fact that a new law was put in place which refrains him from worshipping his Lord God.  The new law did not stop Daniel from his routine. Daniel kept praying three times a day as usual to the knowledge of everyone. He did not secretly pray and was not afraid of anyone. Though there is a law that was established, that did not hinder Daniel from praying.  Daniel was faithful and adhered to the orders of the Lord and he did not incline his life based on worldly laws and rules. This is the key reason why Daniel was blessed abundantly. As a part of today’s meditation, let us discuss on the blessings we receive when we are faithful to the kingdom of God.

God’s Favor and Mercy

Daniel 1:3-4 ‘And the king spake unto Ashpenaz the master of his eunuchs, that he should bring certain of the children of Israel, and of the king's seed, and of the princes; Children in whom was no blemish, but well favoured, and skilful in all wisdom, and cunning in knowledge, and understanding science, and such as had ability in them to stand in the king's palace, and whom they might teach the learning and the tongue of the Chaldeans.

Daniel 1:9 ‘Now God had brought Daniel into favour and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs.

                In the above passages, we see they were picking young skillful men to stand in the palace of the king. There were a lot of young men that gathered to be chosen but Daniel was the only one who receives the favor from the Lord God. The divine favor and mercy was poured upon Daniel’s faithfulness. We see Daniel finds favor with the prince of the eunuchs. In Daniel 1:8 ‘But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself. Daniel purposed in his heart that he will not defile himself. And so he requests to the chief that he does not intend to defile himself. He was so determined not to defile himself against the kingdom of the Lord. Daniel 1:15 ‘And at the end of ten days their countenances appeared fairer and fatter in flesh than all the children which did eat the portion of the king's meat.’ As a result, we see the countenances appeared fairer and fatter than them that had the portion of King’s heart. In Daniel 1:19 ‘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. We see they receive favor in the eyes of the King. The Lord’s favor exalted them and made them stand before the King. From the status of captives, they were lifted up to the king’s palace. It is all because of God’s sheer favor and mercy on Daniel.  In Daniel 6:14 ‘Then the king, when he heard these words, was sore displeased with himself, and set his heart on Daniel to deliver him: and he laboured till the going down of the sun to deliver him.’ The favor worked in such a way that the king himself labored in rescuing Daniel wholeheartedly.  The Lord’s favor brought favor and mercy to Daniel.

Even in our lives, we the children of God are aware of the things that will defile us in this world. The Holy Spirit will instruct us and protect us from all the things which might defile us. When we make a resolution to remain faithful and keep us away from defilement, the Lord will bring favor and mercy upon us.  

God’s protection

Daniel 6:22 “My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions' mouths, that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt.

                When Daniel remained faithful to the kingdom of God, he receives protection. In this verse, Daniel says that the Lord has shut the mouth of the lions by sending his angel.  The reason why Daniel was put in the Lion’s Den is recorded in Daniel 6:13 ‘Then answered they and said before the king, That Daniel, which is of the children of the captivity of Judah, regardeth not thee, O king, nor the decree that thou hast signed, but maketh his petition three times a day. We see people came to the king and inform that Daniel does not abide the law and keeps praying three times a day. A conspiracy was made against Daniel and was betrayed. These informants are dangerous than Lions. No matter how much oppositions arose against Daniel, the heaven was with him.  In Daniel 6:16 ‘Then the king commanded, and they brought Daniel, and cast him into the den of lions. Now the king spake and said unto Daniel, Thy God whom thou servest continually, he will deliver thee.’ Here we see Daniel was put into the Den. The King came near the Den and said he could not help him. He motivated Daniel that his God will deliver him from this situation. The Lord chose the king himself to encourage Daniel at the time of trial. The Lord sends his angel and shuts the mouth of the Lions. The Kingdom of God delivered Daniel from the Lions and protected him. 

In Daniel 6:23 ‘So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no manner of hurt was found upon him, because he believed in his God.  The very act of protection brings in a decree in the country. In Daniel 6:26 ‘I make a decree, That in every dominion of my kingdom men tremble and fear before the God of Daniel: for he is the living God, and stedfast for ever, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed, and his dominion shall be even unto the end.  Through the affliction of Daniel, the name of the Lord was glorified.

Even in our lives, we deal with people who are informants, we deal with conspiracies. We might face many bad situations because of certain people around us. We might be facing false accusations in the family or in our work spot.  Today, the Lord God shuts the mouth of such people. We will experience that the help will come in search of us. We will receive help from unexpected people.  We the children of God will be protected from all dangers and conspiracies.  

God’s Revelation

Daniel 7:1 “In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon Daniel had a dream and visions of his head upon his bed: then he wrote the dream, and told the sum of the matters.

                In the above passage, we see Daniel was given visions and revelations from the Lord. Daniel was given revelations concerning his time and also concerning the end of days and after life. The God’s kingdom revealed these things because it rules over the kingdom of man.  As we read in Daniel 1:17 ‘As for these four children, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.’ Though Daniel had understanding in all visions, the Lord gave him revelations concerning the future. The revelations are ahead of times and people were astonished concerning the same.

Even in our lives, we are thinking this pandemic situation is the end of the world. But these are just the beginning as recorded in Matthew 24:7-8 ‘For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these are the beginning of sorrows. We the children of God should prepare ourselves during the end of times according to the revelations of the Lord. Amen.

               

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