Book of Daniel - Righteous response to difficult days

Topics: righteousness, faith, fear of God

I. Fear God, not man

* Daniel had a healthy fear and humble reverence for God!

And I heard the voice of a man between the banks of Ulai, and he called out and said, "Gabriel, give this man an understanding of the vision." So he came near to where I was standing, and when he came I was frightened and fell on my face; but he said to me, "Son of man, understand that the vision pertains to the time of the end" (Daniel 8:16, 17).
The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the defense of my life; whom shall I dread? (Psalm 27:1).

* Antiochus IV Epiphanes reign of terror ended by divine decree!

"In the latter period of their rule, when the transgressors have run their course, a king will arise, insolent and skilled in intrigue. His power will be mighty, but not by his own power, and he will destroy to an extraordinary degree and prosper and perform his will; he will destroy mighty men and the holy people. And through his shrewdness he will cause deceit to succeed by his influence; and he will magnify himself in his heart, and he will destroy many while they are at ease. He will even oppose the Prince of princes, but he will be broken without human agency" (Daniel 8:23-25).
He said to me, "For 2,300 evenings and mornings; then the holy place will be properly restored" . . . "The vision of the evenings and mornings which has been told is true; but keep the vision secret, for it pertains to many days in the future" (Daniel 8:14, 26).
For I will bend Judah as My bow, I will fill the bow with Ephraim. And I will stir up your sons, O Zion, against your sons, O Greece; and I will make you like a warrior's sword (Zechariah 9:13).

* Daniel rested for days and then got up again to serve the king!

Then I, Daniel, was exhausted and sick for days. Then I got up again and carried on the king's business; but I was astounded at the vision, and there was none to explain it (Daniel 8:27).
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith (2 Tim. 4:7).

Sermon by Pastor Rod Akins March 21^st, 2021