Faith that grows
Week 1: Faith trusts and acts on the promises of God.
Week 2: Faith takes the next step even when the results are unclear.
Week 3: Faith moves at the call of Jesus.
Daniel 6:1-23
Setting the Scene
The Key Players
Daniel's Rise (Daniel 6:1-3)
"Daniel distinguished himself above the administrators and satraps because an extraordinary spirit was in him..."
Most people admire giftedness; God honors faithfulness.
The reason Darius trusted Daniel wasn't because of what Daniel did last week. (v.3)
It was because Daniel had built a reputation over a lifetime.
Character accumulated over decades created influence in a moment.
Point 1: Faith that stands in public is built beforehand in private.
Daniel 6:4-10
The only way they could trap Daniel was through his relationship with God.
A Biblical Guide For When To Dissent
- Serve earthly authority whenever possible.
- Draw the line when authority asks you to disobey God.
- Refuse respectfully.
- Accept the consequences faithfully.
Christians should be the easiest people to govern—until governing requires disobedience to God.
Point 2: Faith Trusts God With What It Cannot Control
Daniel 6:11-18
Once he has obeyed God, he leaves the results with God.
Faith obeys God and trusts Him with the outcome.
Point 3: Faith Moves in the Belief That God Is Able
Daniel 6:19-23
Godfidance Week 4 Devotional - Faith Over Fear
Daniel 6:1-23
Day 1: Faithfulness Before the Test
Read: Daniel 6:1-10
Key Thought: Faith that stands in public is built beforehand in private. Most people remember Daniel in the lions' den. Few people think about the years that came before it. Daniel didn't suddenly become faithful when the law changed. He had already built a habit of prayer and obedience long before anyone was watching. When the pressure came, Daniel simply kept doing what he had always done. The lions' den revealed Daniel's faith, but it did not create it. God often prepares us for future challenges through daily habits of faithfulness today.
Reflect: What private habit helps you stay close to God?
Pray: Father, help me be faithful in the small things. Build my faith in private so I will be ready when challenges come. Amen.
Day 2: Trusting God With the Outcome
Read: Daniel 6:11-18
Key Thought: Faith obeys God and trusts Him with the outcome. Daniel did everything right, yet he still faced trouble. Sometimes we think obedience should make life easier. But following God does not always remove difficulties. In fact, sometimes obedience leads directly into them. Daniel could not control the king's decision, the lions, or the outcome. What he could control was his obedience. Faith means doing what God asks and trusting Him with the results.
Reflect: What situation are you trying to control instead of trusting God with?
Pray: Lord, help me obey You even when I cannot see how things will work out. Teach me to trust You with the outcome. Amen.
Day 3: God Is Able
Read: Daniel 6:19-23
Key Thought: Faith moves in the belief that God is able. When Darius came to the den, he asked, "Has your God been able to rescue you?" That is still the question many people ask today. Is God able? Daniel's answer was yes. God shut the mouths of the lions. Faith is not believing that God will always do exactly what we want. Faith is believing that God is able and worthy of our trust no matter what happens. Fear focuses on the size of the lions. Faith focuses on the God who rules over them.
Reflect: What "lion" are you facing right now that feels bigger than your faith?
Pray: God, remind me that You are bigger than every fear I face. Help me trust Your power, Your wisdom, and Your goodness. Amen.
Small Group Discussion Questions
- Daniel stayed faithful to God for many years. Why do you think it is sometimes harder to stay faithful for a long time than to have one big moment of courage?
- Daniel continued praying even when it became illegal. How can we know when it is time to obey God instead of human authority?
- Have you ever faced a situation where doing the right thing made life harder instead of easier? What happened?
- Daniel trusted God even when he could not control the outcome. What is something in your life right now that you need to trust God with?
- The sermon said, "Fear focuses on the size of the lions. Faith focuses on the God who rules over them." What "lions" are people your age facing today, and how can faith help us respond?