GraceWay D.C.

When most people think of Daniel they think of Daniel in the Lion's Den. Just look at our theme picture, for example. Daniel is an old man now. He's been serving various administrations in Babylon for 65 years. Once again, even when everything is changing around hi, Daniel's excellent spirit has promoted him to the very top.

That's a precarious place to be: it puts a target on your back and makes a lot of self-important people envious. Such is the case for Daniel. How did he react? What should we do when we are in the limelight and our faith comes under question? Daniel will show us how to kneel in order to stand.

Daniel has been quietly serving God with no recognition for more than 30 years. Though prominent in the past administration, he had been overlooked in this one. No miraculous moments. No spiritual spotlight. Just faithful obedience in obscurity.

The king had thrown a great feast for 1,000 of his lords. Pulsating music ricocheted in the empty streets as he shuttered his windows.

Then a knock and an urgent summons.

As he entered the banquet room, he halted at the sight. God's holy vessels were strewn about--some full, some empty--all violated by Babylonian wine and worship.

Across the hall, by the light of the candlestick, he saw the script and recognized God's handwriting. The day of reckoning had come.

We have the blessing of welcoming Pastor Matt Marshall of Shadow Mountain Baptist in Morgan Hill, California, as our guest preacher. Pastor Matt and his church have been praying for GraceWay and have given sacrificially toward the renovation of Floor 2. We are so grateful for their faith. Let's join Pastor Matt as he ministers the Word to us.

Belshazzar throws a great feast for a thousand of his lords. Wine flows, music plays, and the golden vessels from God's temple are raised in defiance. He is smug in his security, but tonight, October 12th, 539 BC, is the last night of the Chaldean Empire. In the light of the candlestick, a hand appears. This is the night the music stopped.

The Bible is full of curious stories. None more than that in Daniel 4.

Nebuchadnezzar has had another dream. This time he knows the content, but not the meaning. Once again, Daniel is the only one who can interpret the dream.

It's not a comfortable message for the king. But Daniel fearlessly delivers it anyway, with a footnote of warning to repent.

What follow is unbelievable and a sharp warning to humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God.

History has a long list of rulers who desire worship so much they demand a public demonstration of loyalty. Then they pass off the scene and it takes a high school history teacher to remind us of who they were.

Nebuchadnezzar was just such a ruler. Other names come to mind--Hitler, Stalin, Mao, Kim-Jong-Un. The method changes, but the demand is the same: BOW to my image (ideal) or else!

We hear these names as a distant extreme regime. But, you can be certain there is a force manipulating your loyalty today. A persistent pressure would demand your worship as well.

The question is: when the whole world bows, will you stand?

King Nebuchadnezzar has had a dream. No astrologer, sorcerer, magician, or Chaldean can describe the dream, much less interpret it. In a rage, he has sent Arioch to assassinate Daniel and his three friends.

For three years, Daniel has purposed and practiced his faith privately and publicly. Now on this darkest night, 18 year old Daniel boldly requests time, for, "there is a God in heaven who revealeth secrets."

The revelation is not only a miracle of salvation for Daniel and his friends, it is also a promise of blessed hope for every believer throughout the ages. It clearly shows that, though we strive to find a more perfect union, true peace will never be realized until the Prince of Peace arrives on the world stage.

Happy Independence, America!

Our national anthem is unique in that its first verse ends with a question: "Does the flag 'yet wave' over America?"

The original poem, written by Francis Scott Key on September 14, 1814 from the perspective of a hostage aboard an enemy ship, has four stanzas. The first asks if the flag is still waving. The 2nd answers that it is because of sacrifice. The 3rd stanza celebrates victory over the enemy.

And finally, the 4th stanza is where we get the title of our message today. It is often wrongly sung "for our cause it is just." But Key wrote "when our cause it is just." Then, a point many miss, he concludes that our cause is only just when "this be our motto 'In God is our trust.'"

Three years have passed since Daniel entered Babylon University. He has recently graduated summa cum laude with a ten-point lead. Aramaic flows off his tongue. His mind is saturated with the learning of the Chaldeans.

Yet his trust lies beyond the stars--straight to the Creator of the universe. Since identifying his purpose in God and openly obeying Him, he has been blessed and protected.

Then the king has a dream. Daniel's teachers have no answers and the king's henchman is coming for his head. A loud knock and Daniel stands between life and death. He has one question, "Why is the king in such a hurry?"

He knew God had a plan--and it is the plan of the ages.

Psalm 128 is a message to fathers - especially fathers who want to actually be happy on Father's Day. I've been so blessed in studying it this week. I hope I can give you a glimpse of the richness of this word written specifically to dads. Let me quickly add: there's only one perfect Father. Whatever you are struggling with from your own experiences, He is able to heal and restore.