It pleased Darius to appoint 120 satraps to rule throughout the kingdom, 2 with three administrators over them, one of whom was Daniel. The satraps were made accountable to them so that the king might not suffer loss. 3 Now Daniel so distinguished himself among the administrators and the satraps by his exceptional qualities that the king planned to set him over the whole kingdom. —Daniel 6:1-3
Three truths to help you stand strong…
- When God raises you up, expect people to tear you down.
At this, the administrators and the satraps tried to find grounds for charges against Daniel in his conduct of government affairs, but they were unable to do so. They could find no corruption in him, because he was trustworthy and neither corrupt nor negligent. 5 Finally these men said, “We will never find any basis for charges against this man Daniel unless it has something to do with the law of his God.” —Daniel 6:4-5
- Kneeling in prayer gives you strength to stand.
Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before. —Daniel 6:10
- When you do what’s right, you can always trust God with the results.
My God sent his angel, and he shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, because I was found innocent in his sight. Nor have I ever done any wrong before you, Your Majesty.” 23 The king was overjoyed and gave orders to lift Daniel out of the den. And when Daniel was lifted from the den, no wound was found on him, because he had trusted in his God. —Daniel 6:22-23
Discipleship Guide
Connect
- Share a time when you were in the midst of a challenge and tempted to give up but instead, you pushed through and stood strong.
Word and Reflection
The true test of something is how well it stands in adversity. Daniel was a man who distinguished himself by his exceptional qualities. He had strong convictions and a vibrant relationship with God which gave him strength to stand in adversity. Cultivating your relationship with God is what gives you strength to stand. And when you do what is right, you can trust God with the results.
Daniel 6:1-28; Ephesians 6:10-14; 1 Peter 3:14-18; 2 Corinthians 1:21-22
- Which part of the message made an impact, caught your attention or challenged you?
- Think of someone you know who has stood in the midst of adversity. What was it about their example that stood out to you? What qualities do they possess that you admire?
- Read Daniel 6:1-10. Discuss with your group some of the things Daniel did to develop strong faith and conviction. How can you have a conviction to stand strong under the pressure to compromise?
- Read 1 Peter 3:14-18. Share a time when you did the right thing even though it was difficult. How have you seen that when you do what is right, you can trust God with the results? What resulted from your obedience to God?
- Read Daniel 6:22-23 and 2 Corinthians 1:21-22. Where do you need to stand strong? How have you seen God strengthen you through prayer to stand strong?
Action
- Think about an area of your life in which you feel God telling you to stand strong. How can you take a step to stand strong this week?
Prayer
- God, give me strength to stand strong for You, even in the midst of opposition.
- Pray for your group and for those whom you’re reaching out to.