MY FRIENDS, DO YOU KNOW THE GOD YOU SERVE?

Jan. 9, 2014

MY FRIENDS, DO YOU KNOW THE GOD YOU SERVE?

The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” Deu.31:8

My friends in Daniel 1 after the besiege of  Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, that the king spoke 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, into the kings palace to be taught the learning and the tongue of the Chaldeans.

Most bible scholars believe Daniel and His three companions Shadrach Mishael and Abed-Nego were between the ages of 14 to 16. This my friends is the age they resolved not to defile themselves with the royal food and wine. because MY FRIENDS, THEY KNEW THE GOD THEY SERVE!

Then in Daniel 2 Nebuchadnezzar dreamed dreams, wherewith his spirit was troubled. So GOD”S CHOSEN “for such a time as this” Daniel went in as God’s representative of Faith, and desired of the king that he would give him time, and that HE WOULD show the king the interpretation of his dream.

My friends this is where I need you to focus, DANIELS FAITH STATEMENT when he said “HE WOULD SHOW THE KING THE INTERPRETATION.” Not I think,or might be able to but HE WOULD. And my friends he could say this because HE KNEW THE GOD HE SERVED.

Yes my friends He knew PERSONALLY the source of his FAITH, WISDOM AND KNOWLEDGE Daniel 2:17-21 tells us “Then Daniel went and made the thing known to his three companions: That they would desire mercies of the God of heaven concerning this secret.

THEN WAS THE SECRET REVEALED UNTO DANIEL IN A KNIGHT VISION. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven…..Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are his: And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding:…….”

And after his prayer of praise and thanksgiving to His Creator for answering his prayers. In verses 26-28 when Daniel went before the king, the king ask Daniel was he able to interpret the dream. “And Daniel answered…The secret which the king hath demanded cannot the wise men, the astrologers, the magicians, the soothsayers, shew unto the king; BUT THERE IS A GOD IN HEAVEN….”

My friends Daniel and His three companions KNEW THE GOD THEY SERVED and what he would do for them, because they had a close, and personal relationship with Him each day. And then later these same three companions of Daniel stated in Daniel 3:16-18 to this same King before he throws them into a fiery furnace for not bowing down to a man made statue. They tell the king, If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us out of thine hand, O king.

BUT IF NOT, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up. My friends they KNEW THE GOD THEY SERVED. Oh what FAITH we all should have. And then we go to Daniel 6. Daniel who is probably in his nineties by now, who is now working for Darius king of the Medes.

BUT IS STILL SERVING THE KING OF THE UNIVERSE. And because of a plot by some of the kings advisers, Daniel is thrown into a DEN OF LIONS. Oh the hate of Satan, and some who do not serve God, towards GOD”S FAITHFUL.

BUT because the king saw God in Daniel, and my friends sometimes if you really KNOW THE GOD YOU SERVE. Christ in you may be the only God others will ever see. So the king himself gives a FAITH STATEMENT when he says in Daniel 6:16 “THY GOD WHOM THY SERVEST CONTINUALLY, HE WILL DELIVER THEE.

Now my friends that is the definition of spreading the good news of the gospel to others. The last point I need you to focus on today is the words “THY GOD WHOM THY SERVEST CONTINUALLY” as in ALL THE TIME not just when it is convenient, or when there is a tragedy, or only when there are trials in your life but CONTINUALLY studying Gods Word, CONTINUALLY seeking His Spirit, CONTINUALLY dying daily, CONTINUALLY praying without ceasing, CONTINUALLY enduring through FAITH until Christ comes and he will say to all WHO KNOW AND SERVE HIM enter into my Kingdom. 

So my friends today. Stay focused, remain faithful, love one another and endure till the end and never forget to STUDY&PRAY