DANIEL: STANDING STRONG
Part 2 – Facing Tough Times the Right Way
(Daniel 2:1-30)
March 27, 2022
Dr. Mark S. Hartman, Lead Pastor
Introduction
Hard times can either make us or break us and the person who chooses which outcome will win in your life, is you.
1. TOUGH TIMES ARE OPPORTUNITIES TO SEE GOD IN ACTION. (Daniel 2:1-11)
A. Daniel 2:1-3 In the second year of his reign, Nebuchadnezzar had dreams; his mind was troubled, and he could not sleep. 2So the king summoned the magicians, enchanters, sorcerers and astrologers to tell him what he had dreamed. When they came in and stood before the king, 3he said to them, “I have had a dream that troubles me and I want to know what it means.”
B. Daniel 2:5-6 The king replied to the astrologers, “This is what I have firmly decided: If you do not tell me what my dream was and interpret it, I will have you cut into pieces and your houses turned into piles of rubble. 6But if you tell me the dream and explain it, you will receive from me gifts and rewards and great honor. So, tell me the dream and interpret it for me.”
C. Daniel 2:10-11 The astrologers answered the king, “There is not a man on earth who can do what the king asks! No king, however great and mighty, has ever asked such a thing of any magician or enchanter or astrologer. 11 What the king asks is too difficult. No one can reveal it to the king except the gods, and they do not live among men.”
2. OUR RESPONSE TO TOUGH TIMES REVEALS WHO WE REALLY ARE. (Daniel 2:12-28)
A. Take a God-view of the situation.
– 1. When a threat comes against you, first, seek out the best information you can find to help you accurately understand the who, what, when, where and how.
B. Find supportive relationships who can stand with you in the crisis. (Daniel 2:17)
– 1. Daniel 2:17 Then Daniel returned to his house and explained the matter to his firends Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah.
– 2. Proverbs 27:17 Iron sharpens iron; so, a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.
– 3. Deuteronomy 32:30 One man can put 1,000 to flight but two men, 10 thousand.
C. With your supportive relationships, go to God in prayer.
D. Don’t stop praying until you have received either a provision or a promise from God.
James 5:16 …The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.
E. When God gives you a promise or a provision, respond to Him in praise.
Hebrews 13:15 Through Him then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name.
F. Give credit to God publicly to others. (Daniel 2:26-28)
Daniel 2:26-28 The king asked Daniel (also called Belteshazzar), “Are you able to tell me what I saw in my dream and interpret it?” 27 Daniel replied, “No wise man, enchanter, magician or diviner can explain to the king the mystery he has asked about, 28 but there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries…”