When The World Is Troubled

Daniel’s Dilemma

Text: Daniel 2

When Culture shifts—WE STAND!

When the World is Troubled—WE SPEAK TRUTH!

“In the second year of the reign of Nebuchadnezzar, Nebuchadnezzar had dreams; his spirit was troubled, and his sleep left him” (Daniel 2:1 ESV).

5 Ways God Speaks:

• Feelings/Emotion (Philippians 4:7)

• Signs, Dreams, Circumstances (Joel 2:28)

• People (1 Corinthians 14:27-33)

• Still Small Voice (1 Kings 19:12)

• Word (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

Never forget…The WORD OF GOD IS THE PLUMB LINE

What does a troubled world rely on when truth is not recognized?

“The Chaldeans answered the king and said, ‘There is not a man on earth who can meet the king’s demand, for no great and powerful king has asked such a thing of any magician or enchanter or Chaldean. The thing that the king asks is difficult, and no one can show it to the king except the gods, whose dwelling is not with flesh’” (Daniel 2:10–11, ESV).

When the world is troubled…

1. REMEMBER YOU HAVE AN AUDIENCE WITH THE AUTHOR OF TRUTH

“Then Daniel went to his house and made the matter known to Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, his companions, and told them to seek mercy from the God of heaven concerning this mystery, so that Daniel and his companions might not be destroyed with the rest of the wise men of Babylon. Then the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision of the night. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven” (Daniel 2:17–19, ESV).

• Wisdom Belongs to God:

“Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, to whom belong wisdom and might” (Daniel 2:20 ESV).

• Authority Belongs to God:

“He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding” (Daniel 2:21 ESV).

“Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God” (Romans 13:1 ESV).

I am not responsible for how a leader stewards their authority. I am responsible for how I submit to authority. I honor, not because my leaders are honorable, but because I am honorable.

• He gives Wisdom and Authority to the Humble Seeker:

“He reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what is in the darkness, and the light dwells with him. To you, O God of my fathers, I give thanks and praise, for you have given me wisdom and might, and have now made known to me what we asked of you, for you have made known to us the king’s matter” (Daniel 2:22-23 ESV).

Daniel could ask of God because he trusted God.

“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him” (James 1:5 ESV).

2. WE ARE CALLED TO BRING CLARITY TO CHAOS

“No wise men, enchanters, magicians, or astrologers can show to the king the mystery that the king has asked, but there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries” (Daniel 2:27–28 ESV).

To ruminate often involves persistent and repetitive thinking about the same thoughts, usually concerning distressing or troubling issues.

A chaotic world does not need to be comforted in their confusion… they need clarity. They need to know… THERE IS A GOD IN HEAVEN.

3. WE ARE CALLED TO PROCLAIM TRUTH WITH PRUDENCE

“Then Daniel replied with prudence and discretion to Arioch” (Daniel 2:14 ESV).

Prudence – Hebrew “to wrap up, cover.” Discretion – Hebrew “to taste.” Daniel wasn’t foolish, he chose his words wisely and he seasoned them to taste.

We impact culture when we are FULL OF THE SPIRIT and FULL OF WISDOM.

4. REMEMBER MAN MAKES PLANS, GOD WRITES HIS STORY

“You saw, O king, and behold, a great image. This image, mighty and of exceeding brightness, stood before you, and its appearance was frightening. The head of this image was of fine gold, its chest and arms of silver, its middle and thighs of bronze, its legs of iron, its feet partly of iron and partly of clay. As you looked, a stone was cut out by no human hand, and it struck the image on its feet of iron and clay, and broke them in pieces. Then the iron, the clay, the bronze, the silver, and the gold, all together were broken in pieces, and became like the chaff of the summer threshing floors; and the wind carried them away, so that not a trace of them could be found. But the stone that struck the image became a great mountain and filled the whole earth” (Daniel 2:31-35 ESV).

• Four Empires:

• The Babylonian Empire (the head)

• Persian Empire (arms and shoulders)

• Greek Empire (thighs and legs)

• Roman Empire (the feet)

Regardless of the kingdom, it’s all of the same kind. History doesn’t necessarily repeat, but it does rhyme.

Seasons Change, Our Savior Remains. Thrones are Shaken, Our Savior is Secure.

5. REMEMBER THERE IS A PURPOSE TO EMBRACE

“Then King Nebuchadnezzar fell upon his face and paid homage to Daniel, and commanded that an offering and incense be offered up to him. The king answered and said to Daniel, ‘Truly, your God is God of gods and Lord of kings, and a revealer of mysteries, for you have been able to reveal this mystery.’ Then the king gave Daniel high honors and many great gifts, and made him ruler over the whole province of Babylon and chief prefect over all the wise men of Babylon. Daniel made a request of the king, and he appointed Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego over the affairs of the province of Babylon. But Daniel remained at the king’s court” (Daniel 2:46–49, ESV).

• A Line Of:

• Truth to the King

• Salvation to the Wise Men

• Encouragement to Us