"Keys To Successful Living" Daniel 1:1-20

Daniel 1:1-20

KEYS TO SUCCESSFUL LIVING

1 In the third year of the reign of Je-ho-ia-kim king of Judah, Ne-bu-chad-ne-zzar

king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it. 2 And the Lord delivered

Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, along with some of the articles from the temple of

God. These he carried off to the temple of his god in Babylonia and put in the treasure

house of his god. 3 Then the king ordered Ash-pe-naz, chief of his court officials, to

bring in some of the Israelites from the royal family and the nobility— 4 young men

without any physical defect, handsome, showing aptitude for every kind of learning, well

informed, quick to understand, and qualified to serve in the king's palace. He was to teach

them the language and literature of the Babylonians. 5 The king assigned them a daily

amount of food and wine from the king's table. They were to be trained for three years,

and after that they were to enter the king's service. 6 Among these were some from Judah:

Daniel, Han-ani-ah, Mi-sha-el and Az-ar-iah. 7 The chief official gave them new names:

to Daniel, the name Bel-te-sha-zzar; to Han-ani-ah, Shad-rach; to Mi-sha-el, Me-shach;

and to Az-ar-iah, A-bed-nego. 8 But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal

food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this

way. 9 Now God had caused the official to show favor and sympathy to Daniel, 10 but

the official told Daniel, "I am afraid of my lord the king, who has assigned your food and

drink. Why should he see you looking worse than the other young men your age? The

king would then have my head because of you." 11 Daniel then said to the guard whom

the chief official had appointed over Daniel, Han-ani-ah, Mi-sha-el and Az-ar-iah, 12

"Please test your servants for ten days: Give us nothing but vegetables to eat and water to

drink. 13 Then compare our appearance with that of the young men who eat the royal

food, and treat your servants in accordance with what you see.". 20 In every matter of

wisdom and understanding about which the king questioned them, he found them ten

times better than all the magicians and enchanters in his whole kingdom.

I want to speak from the topic, "Keys To Successful Living".

Keep your Bibles open, we are going to walk through this text verse by verse.

This text gives us 14 characteristics of successful living.  (Quality of life)

This is a story about four young men who stood up to the pressures of change. Adverse

as their circumstances were they maintained their integrity by trusting God in all their

activities.

If anybody had reason to be messed up in the mind, it would be Daniel and his three

friends.

Their home town, Jerusalem had been invaded by a foreign king, family members had

been murdered, their beloved temple eventually burned to the ground and they were taken

captive as slaves to a foreign king. They had every reason to be mad. They had every

reason to be angry. They had every reason to be depressed and out of their minds. Yet

Daniel and his three friends stayed focused on the Lord determined to do what was right.

Daniel stands out as a man who lived a very successful life. He served the Lord 73 years

under three different kings. Daniels stands out among the prophets of the Lord. God

revealed to him more of His plan of redemption than He did to any other prophet.

He revealed the end times including the first and second coming of Jesus Christ.

I want you to notice that this first verse give us times, places and names. You can go to

your world history books and verify that these names and these places given in this

time existed. That's one way to knowing that the Bible is true.  

In the second verse, the text says that the Lord gave the King of Israel into the hands of

the King of Babylon. God ordered the events that Daniel was caught up in. God was

angry with the Nation of Israel because of their widespread worship of idol gods. So

He sent them into captivity. Daniel worshiped the Lord, yet he was caught up in the

punishment.

God order the captivity of Israel to bring them to their senses and draw them back

to himself. God ordered a plan of redemption for his chosen people. Aren't you

glad that you are included in God's plan of redemption.

Daniel served for 73 years in a foreign government under pagan Kings. Because of

Daniel, each king got to see the power and glory of the almighty God. The adversity of

Daniel was ordered by the Lord, so a pagan nation could get a word from God.

I don't know what you are going through. But maybe God's got a Word that He wants

someone to get from.

The first key to successful living;  God is in Control of your circumstances. God orders

your circumstances to get you prepared for future blessings. Don't get angry with God

when the unexpected happens to you. Don't ask God why this happen to you. Sometimes

there is no answer. Just know that God loves you and want the very best for you.

Trials and tribulations serve to strengthen our faith in the all mighty God. Trials

and tribulations keep us on bending knees in prayer with the Father.

1st key to remember is that God is in control. Don't faint when trouble arises, just

keep on keeping on, trusting in the Lord.

Notice in verse 2 that the Lord ordered that some of the vessels of His Temple

in Jerusalem be taken and placed in temple of the idol god in Babylon.

These vessels were made of pure gold and silver and were design by the Lord

himself. The Lord had these vessels placed in temple of the idol god, preserving

them for His glory. God's handiwork inside the idol temple showed the worthlessness

of these idol god. The glory of God over shadowed their uselessness.

  

If go to the highest mountain, the Lord is their. If make my bed in hell the Lord is there

too. Don't worry, the Lord is everywhere all the time. I tell you God is everywhere and

His works never cease. His glory always shines bright.

These same vessels, 70 years later would be taken back to Jerusalem and placed

in a new Temple. God is preparing us,  for that new temple in the heaven.  

The 2nd key in this lesson is where ever you go the Lord is with you. Because

you are there serving the Lord, others get blessed. One person can make a difference.

And that person can be you.

3rd. key in the lesson. Don't let your circumstances blind you to the blessing of

God. Daniel had lost his family, He had lost his home and now forced to serve a foreign

king, Yet he had reason to be thankful. He was still alive. He kept His focus on the Lord.

There are some circumstances you find yourself in that you didn't cause, you had nothing

to do with and you can't do nothing about it.  The only thing you can do is live with it and

trust God in it. There are times when God allow you to be in a circumstance 

to test you and to prove your devotion to Him. Circumstances can strengthen you and

prepare you to glorify the Lord. After all the only reason God created man was to give

Himself the Glory.

Verse 3.

The King's servant was instructed to select young men to be trained to serve

in his court. There was an interview process to select the best candidates who

would be given a free  3 year college education. Some folk say "they had a free

ride".

4th  key. Carry yourself like you are part of the Royal Family. The King instructed

his servant to chose some youths from royal family. You must remember that you

are part of a Royal Family. You are in the Body Of Christ. Remember that you are a child

of King Jesus. Since you are a child of the King, you ought  to walk like a child of the

King, you ought to talk like a child of the King, you ought to look like a child of the King.

When you start acting like a child of the King, God will open doors that were locked

down and closed to you. When God open doors that no one can close them.

5th key . Remember that the body is the Temple of the Lord . Verse 4

said that candidates could have no defects.  The youth could have no tattoos

on their bodies. You never know what qualities an employer is looking for.

The same verse says they had to be good looking. You need to dress properly.

They were not walking around with their pants hanging below their buts. That's the

current style among the youth today is to walk around with their underwear showing.

You never know what opportunities you miss because you are not dressed properly.

The 5th key in the lesson, respect yourself. Your body is the temple of the Lord.

Treat it like it is the Temple of the Lord.

The 6th Key to Successful Living:  Take advantage of all educational opportunities.

In verse 4, those chosen were to be intelligent and endowed with understanding.

This means that these youth had taken their early education seriously. This means that

when they were in school, they stayed in school and they did their best. When the school

bell rang, they were in class and ready to learn.

At Greater Macedonia, we got Bibles classes throughout the week. Most of you

do not show up. You never know when an opportunity depends how well you

answer questions. The study of God's Word gives you uncommon insight. The

study of God's Word gives you wisdom you can't get from anywhere else.

The study of God's Word makes you articulate in subjects that world can't

understand.

Verse 4

The 6th Key is to take advantage of all educational opportunities.

The Kings children study the King's Word. The King wanted the Hebrew boys to

learn his culture, learn his language, learn his commands and learn about him. They

were to be trained to serve the King.

We have a king we serve. His name is king Jesus. He has given us a book to study.

He wants us trained to be qualified to serve Him. The King's children study the King's

Word.  You Got a minute?

Parenting is a Job. It is a job of service to the Lord. It's not easy, but God has given us

directions. Want to be someone's daddy? It is not about laying down and getting up. It

what you do when you get up.

The reason  so many of our kids are messed up is because parents don't get educated in

the Word of the Lord. God wants to elevate you, but you got to get educated.

How are going be teacher without studying His Word? How are going be a Deacon

without studying His Word? How are going to be trustee without studying His Word

How are going to be a preacher without studying His Word?

Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ trained His disciples 31/2 years before turning them

lose on His Church. God wants to elevate you, but you got to get educated.

The 6th Key in  this lesson , take advantage of all educational opportunities.

Daniel and his friends were selected to serve a foreign king.

They were selected because they had a love for the Lord. They were selected because

they were obedient to God's Word. They were selected because God gave them

uncommon intelligence.

Verse 7

The 7th Key is this lesson is don't forget where you came from. The king

took their Hebrew names and gave them Babylonians names. In life people will

call you all sorts of names.  Don't ever forget who you are. Don't ever forget who's

you are. Don't ever forget that you are a child of the King and that you have a

King's heritance. Don't ever forget that you have a big brother name Jesus

seated at the right hand of the Father looking out for you. Don't let your circumstances

cloud your vision of the Lord. No matter what they call you, you belong to the Lord.

Verse 8

The 8th Key in this lesson, Make up your mind to follow God.

Don't compromise God's Word for personal gain. It's

in verse 8. Daniel made up his mind not to defile himself. The whole crowd was

to be fed from the Kings table. The best meats, the best drinks. The best bread.

There was only one problem. The meals from the king's table had been sacrifice

to idol gods.  Daniel considered this a violation of God's commands to eat foods

sacrificed to idols. Daniel knew if he didn't eat the king's food he might be kicked out

of the program or worst, he could lose his life.  If He ate the King's food he would violate

God's command. Daniel chose to follow God.

You got to make up your mind to follow God to keep from going astray.

Verse 9

The 9th key in this lesson is; God shows Favor to those who are committed to Him.

While Daniel was trying to figure it out, God had already worked it out. 

There is always a way to get what you want without compromising God's commands.

Daniel asked permission of the administrator to eat only vegetables  and water.

God caused the administrator to show favor and sympathy to Daniel (v.9).

When you decide to follow God, He will open  the right doors for you. The

administrator understood Daniel's position and granted his request risking his

own life. When you are committed to honoring God with your life, He will cause

things to turn out in your favor.  Look at the person next to you, say "Neighbor

I got favor with the Lord."

Verse 11

The 10th Key in this lesson  is to remember that what you do affects others,

When Daniel made up his mind to follow God's commands, three other youth

decided to follow Daniels lead. We are responsible to others not to be a stumbling

block to the faith of others. You never know who is watching you and who may be

led to the Lord by the light they see in you. You are a role model to others.

The 11th Key to Successful Living in this lesson is:  "Trust God with your life."

God intervenes on behalf of those who trust Him, protects and preserves them.

When you believe in something, test God with it. Daniel encouraged the administrator

let him and his friends eat  vegetables and water for ten days see if they look as good

as the others who ate the king's food. At the end of the period Daniel's appearance looked

better than the others. When God is with us we can't lose.

Verse 12. The 12th key in this lesson. A healthy diet is important.

 A healthy diet promotes learning. They ate only vegetables and drink water.  God didn't

just drop this in because it sounded good. It was Daniel and his three friends dedication

to God. I know this is true. A unhealthy diet weighs you down and slows downs you

learning. If I eat a heavy meal for dinner and start studying God's Word; Give me 15

minutes and I will be sleep. I will be out like a rock. I will be waking up two hours

later trying to figure out what happen. Daniel and his friends ate light and studied

hard. The 12th key to Successful Living: Diet and Exercise is important to your

success.

Verse 17

13th Key. Whatever position God places you in, do your very best.

When you make up your mind to put forth your best effort. God will give you

success in all your efforts. It's in verse 17. God gave them knowledge and intelligence

in all their studies. When you put God first, He will insure that you get the understanding

that will promote your  success.

In addition Daniel was given an additional gift. He was given an understanding of all

visions and dreams. Daniel was given a gift that would not only save his life but the

lives of others and bring glory to the Father.

The last key in verse 20. Successful living rest with God.

When God is first in your life. When God is the most important person in your life,

When your love for God exceeds every thing else, God can make you 10 times

smarter than everybody else. Knowledge of God is power. Knowledge of God brings

success

When God is first in your life, He will give you a level of intelligence that exceeds

everybody else. It's in verse 20, Daniel and his 3 friends were 10 times smarter

than all the others.

Let's review the 14 Keys to Successful Living.

1. Remember that God is in control.

2.  Remember that God is always with you.

3. Don't let your circumstances blind you to the blessings of God.

4. Carry yourself like you are part of the Royal Family.

5. Your Body Is The Temple Of The Lord, Treat It That Way.

6. Take Advantage Of All educational Opportunities.

7. Don't Forget Where You Came From.

8. Don't Compromise God's Word.

9. God Show Favor To Those Who Are Committed To Him.

10. What You Do Affects Others

11. Trust God With Your Life

12. A Healthy Diet And Exercise Is Important.

13. Always Do Your Best.

14. Successful Living Rest With God.

I don't know about you but I want to live a successful life.

I don't know about you but I want peace in my life.

I don't know about you but I want joy in my life,

I don't know about you but I have made up my mind to follow God.

Greater Macedonia  Live a Successful Life

Let God be your Guide

If you want live a successful life, do as Daniel did, commit your life to God.

Amen