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12_09_2018_AManGreatlyBeloved_DonRuhl

 

 

A Man Greatly Beloved

Don Ruhl • Savage Street, Grants Pass, Oregon • December 9, In the year of our Lord Christ, 2018

Prelude:

  1. Every time I read the Book of Daniel,
    1. his spiritual character impresses me.
    2. He also impressed heaven.
  2. Therefore, it does not surprise me to read of what heaven says about Daniel:
    1. Gabriel said to Daniel: “you are greatly beloved” (9.23)
    2. Twice an unidentified heavenly being said to Daniel:
      1. “O Daniel, man greatly beloved” (10.11)
      2. “O man greatly beloved” (10.19)
  3. He even impressed the Babylonians and Persians.
    1. 1.9
    2. 1.19
    3. 2.46
    4. 6.14
    5. 6.18–23
    6. However, as is true of everyone who follows the Lord,
    7. some of the Persians hated Daniel.
      1. Never forget that

        12 all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution (2 Timothy 3.12).
      2. It never makes sense to you when someone persecutes for nothing, but
        1. just remember Daniel and
        2. you will hold up under persecution as he did.
  4. What made Daniel a man greatly beloved?

Persuasion:

  1. Daniel 1.8 | Daniel Kept Himself Pure

    8 But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank; therefore he requested of the chief of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself (1.8).

  2. Daniel 2.17–18; 2.20–23; Chap 9 | Daniel Was a Man of Prayer

    17 Then Daniel went to his house, and made the decision known to Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, his companions, 18 that they might seek mercies from the God of heaven concerning this secret, so that Daniel and his companions might not perish with the rest of the wise men of Babylon. (2:17–18).

    20 Daniel answered and said:
    “Blessed be the name of God forever and ever,
    For wisdom and might are His.
    21 And He changes the times and the seasons;
    He removes kings and raises up kings;
    He gives wisdom to the wise
    And knowledge to those who have understanding.
    22 He reveals deep and secret things;
    He knows what is in the darkness,
    And light dwells with Him.
    23 I thank You and praise You,
    O God of my fathers;
    You have given me wisdom and might,
    And have now made known to me what we asked of You,
    For You have made known to us the king’s demand.”
    (2.20–23)

  3. Daniel 5.17 | Daniel Was Free from the Love of Money

    17 Then Daniel answered, and said before the king, “Let your gifts be for yourself, and give your rewards to another; yet I will read the writing to the king, and make known to him the interpretation” (5.17).

  4. Daniel 2.28 | Daniel Glorified God
    1. Daniel 2.20–23
    2. Daniel 2.28

      28 “But there is a God in heaven who reveals secrets, and He has made known to King Nebuchadnezzar what will be in the latter days. Your dream, and the visions of your head upon your bed, were these…” (2.28).

  5. Daniel 4.27 | Daniel Spoke the Truth

    27 “Therefore, O king, let my advice be acceptable to you; break off your sins by being righteous, and your iniquities by showing mercy to the poor. Perhaps there may be a lengthening of your prosperity” (Daniel 4.27).

  6. Daniel 2.17, 49 | Daniel Remembered His Friends
    1. Daniel 2.17

      17 Then Daniel went to his house, and made the decision known to Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, his companions… (2.17).

    2. Daniel 2.49

      49 Also Daniel petitioned the king, and he set Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego over the affairs of the province of Babylon; but Daniel sat in the gate of the king (2.49).

  7. VII.Daniel 6.10 | Daniel Was Fearless Before Men

    10 Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went home. And in his upper room, with his windows open toward Jerusalem, he knelt down on his knees three times that day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as was his custom since early days (6.10).

  8. VIII.Daniel 10.12, 17, 19 | Daniel Was Humble

    12 Then he said to me, “Do not fear, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand, and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard; and I have come because of your words…”

    17 “For how can this servant of my lord talk with you, my lord? As for me, no strength remains in me now, nor is any breath left in me.”

    19 And he said, “O man greatly beloved, fear not! Peace be to you; be strong, yes, be strong!” So when he spoke to me I was strengthened, and said, “Let my lord speak, for you have strengthened me” (Daniel 10.8–19).