Kingdom People: Daniel

Throughout the year, our theme, ‘Kingdom People’ from 1 Peter 2:9 has strongly influenced our personal and corporate sense of identity and mission. We understand that we belong to God before we belong to any culture, and that we are a people set apart — living by kingdom values in the world around us.

‍Today we meet a man who lived exactly that: set apart in a culture that was not his own.

Daniel was a man in a foreign land. He was taken from his own country and carried into Babylon- into enemy territory. Everything familiar was stripped away. There was a whole new system pressing in on him, seeking to reshape who he was.

‍And, in many ways, this is our story too. To follow Christ can feel like living in a foreign culture: different values, a different language, different entertainment. A world that can feel as though it is trying to suffocate what God has put within us. ‍

With this in mind, there are 3 encouraging things that we can learn from the life of Daniel:

1)       Strength

Daniel demonstrated strength. His strength was not in his circumstances — it was formed within him, and it showed up again and again across his whole life.

-           Daniel resolved not to defile himself with royal food and wine (Daniel 1:8).

-           Daniel was able to stand in the king’s presence, despite his age (Daniel 2:16).

-           Daniel prayed openly, even under threat of death (Daniel 6:10).

The source of Daniel’s strength was knowing God. Daniel 11:32 (KJV) encourages us that those who know their God will be strong and do mighty exploits.

How closely are you abiding with the Father and living from His strength in your life?

2)       Frequency

Aligning to the frequency of heaven, not the world. Throughout his life, Daniel kept his antenna up —not locked on an old station, but tuned to the Father's voice in the present.

We need to honour the moments that have formed us but be listening to what the Father is saying now.

1 Chronicles 12:32 explains that the men of Issachar understood the times and knew what to do. Similarly, Jesus only did what He saw His Father doing (John 5:19). ‍

Are you still tuned to what God did in your life 5 years ago, or are you hearing what heaven is saying today? ‍

3)       Awareness

Living with an awareness of the spiritual reality in front of us, and what is influencing our decisions.

Self-awareness serves our God-awareness. If we want to be fruitful, an awareness of the Father — His love, His voice, His story — has to be predominant in our lives.

Daniel recognised that only His God could reveal mysteries (Daniel 2:27-28), and that His God could save from the fiery furnace (Daniel 3:17). In danger, Daniel was aware of God’s power, and in his every-day life, Daniel lived prayerfully aware and thankful to God (Daniel 6:10).

How aware are you of God’s power and presence in your life? ‍

Application

-           Develop your strength in the Lord through prayer and His Word (Ephesians 6:10).

-           Don’t fear new ways- ask the Father to reveal what He wants to do according to His frequency.

-           Invite the Father into every situation.

Daniel was an exile in a foreign land — and heaven called him highly esteemed (Daniel 10:11). The same Father is calling us, right where we are.

-           Taken from Pastor Steve’s message.

-           Catch up with the service here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2FD-64JmohA