Lesson – Daniel 3-12 But if not

What is Faith? Book of Mormon Scripture Mastery? – Alma 32:21 – “not to have a perfect knowledge of things” – “hope for things which are not seen, which are true” What is integrity? – How we act with faith, in any situation Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego demonstrate the exact definition of faith and integrity, and attempt to teach their captors along the way.

What is the context of Daniel? The Israelites are in captivity, by whom? – The Babylonians (Chaldeans) Daniel and some other Hebrews are brought in and trained in the court of Nebuchadnezzar. Daniel finds favor in the sight of the king because he interpreted their dream. Because of the dream, Nebuchadnezzar builds an idol and commands all to worship it (he gets the wrong idea…)

Daniel 3 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego decide not to worship the image, and are found out. Daniel 3:13-15 How do they answer? Daniel 3:16-18 – This makes the King even more mad, he turns up the heat, throws them in, and… – v24-25

Daniel 6 Same type of story, different players Daniel had favor among the current King, King Darius. Why? – Dan 6:3 – Who does this remind you of? – Joseph (“and the Lord was with him”) Some politicians decide to make a decree saying only the king may be worshipped, Daniel is found out. Daniel 6:13-17 What happens? Daniel 6:18-22 – Notice the faith not only by Daniel, but by the King himself. – His was more of a desire to know (Alma 32:27)

2 Cases Both times they were living right, keeping their integrity Presented with a trial, where they could only rely on the Lord to deliver them. Big question: Did they know they would be delivered? – No, but it didn’t matter, because they had faith. – It would have been different if they had been visited ahead of time, given a guarantee. – They did not know if it would turn out right, but they did not care – “But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods” How do you think they felt once they were actually delivered?

Dennis E Simmons, April 2004 “By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac.” 14 Abraham, because of his great faith, was promised posterity greater in number than the stars in the heavens, and that that posterity would come through Isaac. But Abraham immediately complied with the Lord’s command. God would keep His promise, but if not in the manner Abraham expected, he still trusted Him completely. Men accomplish marvelous things by trusting in the Lord and keeping His commandments—by exercising faith even when they don’t know how the Lord is shaping them.”

Dennis E Simmons, April 2004 But in the midst of all those glorious outcomes hoped for and expected by the participants, there were always the but if nots: “And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, … bonds and imprisonment: “They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about … being destitute, afflicted, tormented; … “God having provided some better things for them through their sufferings, for without sufferings they could not be made perfect.” (Hebrews 11:36-37, 40)

Dennis E Simmons, April 2004 “Our scriptures and our history are replete with accounts of God’s great men and women who believed that He would deliver them, but if not, they demonstrated that they would trust and be true… We must have the same faith as Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed- nego. Our God will deliver us from ridicule and persecution, but if not. … Our God will deliver us from sickness and disease, but if not …. He will deliver us from loneliness, depression, or fear, but if not. … Our God will deliver us from threats, accusations, and insecurity, but if not. … He will deliver us from death or impairment of loved ones, but if not, … we will trust in the Lord. Our God will see that we receive justice and fairness, but if not. … He will make sure that we are loved and recognized, but if not. … We will receive a perfect companion and righteous and obedient children, but if not, … we will have faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, knowing that if we do all we can do, we will, in His time and in His way, be delivered and receive all that He has.

Our Faith We don’t know perfectly that everything will go according to our plan as long as we choose the right. But we can know that we will be a part of the Lord’s plan, and that has eternal significance. It comes to perspective again. One day, we will have that glorious moment (and perhaps small moments along the way), where we are rectified, where everything is known, and it was all worth it.

Notebook Ideas How can you trust in the Lord even when things don’t go according to plan? What is your spiritual backup? How can you still live righteously, knowing it’s not a guarantee of things going well? How do the examples of these men help you through when challenges arise?