BSF Exile and Return: Lesson 3

Daniel's devotion to God in his teens years cemented who he became and with Whom he aligned with all his life.

OUR TIMES OF TESTING REVEAL two important things about us:

Who we are 1, Daniel’s faith was tested in a personal, private way — what he would eat, who he would obey and how he would live when no one back home was watching.

Whose we are 2, the testing was public, even life-threatening — an impossible demand from a ruthless king who was ready to execute all his wise men if they couldn’t perform.

In both situations, Daniel could have panicked, compromised or looked for a way out. But instead, he showed us that God Himself provides His people with the strength they need.

Aim: Knowing God is on His throne, His people can live faithfully as His People.

When we read news headlines or experience personal hardships: 

Where is God?

• I. Where is God in exile, displacement, challenge? Ch 1     God is:

1. Working out His purposes, both judgment (Deut 28) and blessing (Jer 24, 27) 1-7  (doctrine)
2. Granting favor to His people 8-16
3. Positioning them for service 17-21

Principle: Knowing God is sovereign, His people can live with confidence in a world that is ignorant of His ways and principles.

• II. Where is God in crisis, confusion, and dismay? Ch.2      God is:

1. Available through prayer 1-23
2. Revealing the mysteries of His kingdom 24-45 (doctrine)
3. Revealing His greatness in ways we had not known 46-49

Principle: Knowing God is sovereign, His people can live with courage in times of crisis.