Resolved

JASON MARTIN

Daniel / Faithfulness / Daniel 1:8–21

I want to talk about being faithful when circumstances don’t make sense.

God is sovereign even when life looks like it’s falling apart - so we should resolve now to remain faithful BEFORE the test comes.

Opening

Read Psalm 22:1-5

Psalm 22:1–5 ESV

1 My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, from the words of my groaning? 2 O my God, I cry by day, but you do not answer, and by night, but I find no rest. 3 Yet you are holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel. 4 In you our fathers trusted; they trusted, and you delivered them. 5 To you they cried and were rescued; in you they trusted and were not put to shame.

1. Have we ever wondered where God was when

a. you prayed for healing

b. you lost your job

c. your marriage is on the rocks

d. your children aren’t serving the LORD

e. You obey God, but life is still hard

f. your prayers seems unanswered

2. But verse 3 says ‘Yet You are Holy’

a. David’s feelings changed - God did not

3. Jesus quoted those words from the cross

a. the crowd thought He was defeated

b. He was pointing them back to Psalm 22

i. it begins with suffering

ii. it ends with victory

Never Judge God By Your Circumstances

1. In Genesis 37, we see Joseph sold into slavery by his own brothers, out of jealousy

a. his circumstances didn’t look good - but He stayed faithful

b. God showed him favor and he gets promoted

c. then he’s falsely accused by Potiphar's wife and thrown into prison

d. his circumstances look bad again

i. BUT GOD was putting Joseph where He wanted him to be to save countless people from starving during the famine

Genesis 50:20 ESV

20 As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.

2. Consider Moses who was put as a baby into a basket and placed in the Nile river.

a. a baby floating in a basket and there’s nothing he can do

b. Moses’ circumstances look hopeless

c. BUT GOD is preparing the deliverer to lead the Hebrews out of Egypt

3. Now consider Daniel and what he’s going through

a. Jerusalem is about to be destroyed

b. the Temple has been plundered

c. the Royal line of David without a throne

d. names changed

e. everything seems lost

f. What happened to God’s Promise to David?

2 Samuel 7:12–13 ESV

12 When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. 13 He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.

a. It looks like the snake has erased the royal line

b. that’s why Matthew starts with that genealogy

i. to show Babylon couldn’t stop God’s Promise

ii. to show that Satan couldn’t stop God’s Promise

iii. to show that God preserved the line and the Messiah came exactly as promised

4. Now consider Jesus on the cross

a. no circumstance looked worse then Calvary

b. nothing accomplished more

c. that cross proves forever to never judge God’s faithfulness by your circumstances

• Babylon already tried to change Daniel’s identity

• Now it’s going to try to change his obedience

Resolve Before the Test

Read Daniel 1:8-21

1. Daniel didn’t make this decision at the dinner table - he had already decided

a. CHARACTER IS BUILT BEFORE IT’S TESTED

2. Do NOT wait until temptation arrives - RESOLVE TODAY;

a. I will tell the truth

b. I will honor my marriage

c. I will remain sexually pure

d. I will forgive

e. I will be generous

f. I will serve the LORD even if it costs me

i. like Joseph

ii. like Moses

iii. like Daniel

iv. like Jesus

g. When your employer wants you to lie - have you already resolved?

h. When everybody else is cheating - have you already resolved

i. When nobody would know what website you were looking at - have you already resolved?

j. When your boyfriend or girlfriend pressures you - have you already resolved?

k. THE BATTLE IS FOUGHT AND WON BEFORE THE TEMPTATION ARRIVES - DON’T WAIT

The Issue Wasn’t Food

1. Daniel wasn’t allergic to Babylon’s food

a. his stomach wasn’t the issue

b. his holiness was

c. he refused to be defiled

i. we aren’t told if it was that this food wasn’t kosher or if it was sacrificed to idols or whatever it was that made it a defilement - but Daniel knew

2. Culture constantly minimizes compromise

a. it’s only one lie - just a small one

b. it’s only music

c. it’s only a movie

d. it’s only gossip

e. it was just one extra look

i. sin doesn’t usually start with some giant rebellion

1. it creeps in through just a little compromise

f. Daniel’s first battle wasn’t lions, dreams, or kings

i. it was lunch

Live in Babylon Without Becoming Babylon

1. Daniel learned their writings and literature

a. He worked for their government, and served faithfully

i. but Babylon never owned him

2. We should grow where we’re planted

a. go to work

i. excel

ii. but never compromise integrity

b. go to school

i. learn

ii. succeed

iii. but don’t abandon Biblical Truth

c. use social media, but don’t let it disciple you

d. love your country, but don’t worship it

e. enjoy success, but don’t make it your identity

Romans 12:2 ESV

2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

John 17:14–18 ESV

14 I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 15 I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 17 Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. 18 As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world.

Philippians 3:20 ESV

20 But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,

Conviction Doesn’t Require Combat

1. Daniel asked respectfully

a. he didn’t compromise, but also wasn’t rude

2. This broken world needs to see Christians that are courageous and also kind

a. speak truth without arrogance

b. stand firm without hatred

c. correct people with gentleness

Ephesians 4:15 ESV

15 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ,

1 Peter 3:15–16 ESV

15 but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, 16 having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.

God Was Already Working

1. God gave....

a. Daniel 1:2

b. Daniel 1:9

c. Daniel 1:17

2. Our own circumstances today might not be what we had hoped for

a. the diagnosis is scary

b. the money won’t stretch far enough

c. our children have broken our hearts

d. our marriage is falling apart

e. our future is uncertain

i. GOD HAD NEVER SAID ‘I didn’t see that one coming’

Isaiah 46:9–10 ESV

9 remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me, 10 declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose,’

Closing

a. Parents;

i. prepare your children for Babylon

ii. you cannot remove Babylon

1. but you can teach them how to live faithfully in it

iii. pray with them and for them

iv. read Scripture with them and to them

v. model repentance

vi. model faithfulness

b. Young people;

i. your friends don’t determine truth

ii. social media doesn’t determine truth

1. Christ does

iii. resolve before dating

iv. resolve before college

v. resolve before your career

c. Employees;

i. people notice integrity

ii. people notice honesty

iii. people notice consistency

iv. the widest reaching sermon we will ever have is the way we live our life in front of others

d. Those suffering

i. Joseph suffered

ii. Moses suffered

iii. Daniel suffered

iv. Jesus suffered

1. Suffering is not proof that God has abandoned you

a. Sometimes that’s exactly what He’s working through

Psalm 22:27–28 ESV

27 All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the Lord, and all the families of the nations shall worship before you. 28 For kingship belongs to the Lord, and he rules over the nations.

1. The Psalm begins..."My God, why have You forsaken me?"

a. It ends..."The kingdom belongs to the LORD."

2. Daniel begins in exile.

a. Jesus hangs on a cross.

i. Both stories look hopeless.

ii. Neither ends there.

3. Matthew begins with a genealogy because God wants us to know something.

a. Babylon did not stop His promises.

b. The exile did not stop His promises.

c. Satan did not stop His promises.

d. The line of David survived.

e. The Son of David came.

f. Jesus Christ reigns exactly as God promised.

4. One day, Babylon will set a table before you.

a. It may look like:

i. a dishonest business opportunity

ii. an immoral relationship

iii. pressure to stay silent about Christ

iv. fear of losing your job

v. a temptation no one else will ever know about

b. When that day comes...

i. Your decision won't begin then.

ii. It will just reveal what you've already resolved - so resolve today.

iii. Not because you know what tomorrow holds - but because you know the God who holds tomorrow.

5. Our circumstances do not determine God's faithfulness. They reveal whether we have resolved to trust the God who has never failed to keep a single promise.

Father, help us trust You when circumstances make it look like Your promises are failing. Remind us that You are never defeated, never surprised, and never outside of Your plan. Give us the resolve of Daniel—not because Daniel was great, but because Daniel trusted You. Help us remember that kingdoms rise and fall, but Your kingdom endures forever. Amen.

Exported from Logos Bible Study, 8:54 AM July 26, 2026.