1. God Cared for Daniel When He Fasted February 28, 2010 – Amshir 21, 1726 AM Week 3 of the Holy Great Lent

2. Memory Verse “Your God, whom you serve continually, He will deliver you” (Daniel 6:16)

3. Introduction What happened to Daniel and his 3 friends when they fasted? Why did they choose to fast? Memory verse; “When the bridegroom will be taken into heaven, then they will fast” (Matthew 9:15)

4. Daniel Loved by God Daniel and the 3 young men were chosen as the wisest and strongest men to serve in the King’s courts. God was with Daniel and gave him so much understanding that the King loved to always take his advice. The King appointed Daniel as Governor along with 2 other men.

5. Jealousy The King wanted to make Daniel the only governor in his kingdom The 2 other governors were jealous and plotted against Daniel. They tried to catch mistakes in his work but could not. They tried to find anything strange in his behavior but could not except that… Daniel worshiped the true God, prayed to the Lord and thanked him everyday and not to the Idols.

6. Evil Plans So they thought … They tempted the king to make a degree: You should sign a firm law that for 30 days no one can ask any man or God except you. And whoever disobey, let him be thrown into the den of lions. The King loved the idea and signed the order.

7. Daniel Heard the News He went home in his upper room and opened his window toward Jerusalem. Without hesitation he knelt down on his knees before the Lord and prayed and gave thanks to his God as he usually does. No Fear was in him for he was not afraid to show his love to God.

9. Accusation The people gathered and saw Daniel praying through the opened window. They went and told on him to the king saying: Daniel broke your law O King and now he deserves to be thrown in the den of lions.

11. Your God will Save You The king spoke to Daniel saying: “Your God, whom you serve continually, He will deliver you.” A stone was laid on the mouth of the den and stamped with the king’s stamp.

13. The King was Sad The king was very sad and couldn’t eat / sleep that night. Early morning he went sadly to the lion’s den and cried out: “Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to deliver you from the lions?”

14. God sent His Angel Daniel answered: “My God sent His angel and shut the lion’s mouths, so that they have not hurt men, because I was found innocent before Him; and also, O king, I have done no wrong before you.”

15. The King was Glad The king was so glad and commanded that they should take Daniel out of the den. There was no injury found on him, not even a scratch. And the king gave the command to bring the evil men who accused Daniel and cast them into the lion’s den.

16. A New Decree – Fear the Lord of Daniel The king made a new decree in his entire kingdom: All people should respect and fear the God of Daniel above all – who has delivered Daniel from the power of the lions. Respect & Fear the Lord of Daniel Only !

17. God Gives many Gifts Daniel was promoted and lived a very long life in the courts of this king and other king who followed him.. God also showed him visions of the future about the coming of Christ and the spread of Christianity.

18. Conclusion God hears your prayers He delivers you from all troubles He protects and cares for you even in the worst of situations ----- SO TAKE HOLD OF HIM ONLY!! Even when all gang up on you and everything is not going your way  God will send His angels to help you.

19. PRAYER In the morning Before we go to sleep From the Agpeya!

20. Pop Quiz 1. How many governors were appointed with Daniel? two 2. Why were they jealous of him? The King loved him and wanted to make him the only governor of his kingdom 3. What was the new law they came up with? The people should not pray to any other God but only to the king. 4. What did Daniel do? What was the punishment? He prayed 3x / day and gave thanks to God. To be thrown into the lion’s den. 5. Why was the king not happy to carry his own orders? Because he loved Daniel 6. What happened to Daniel in the den? The evil people? God sent an angel and protected Daniel from the lions. The evil men and their families were eaten. 6. What did the king write to all his people? To respect and fear the God of Daniel who saved him from the lion’s den 7. What gift did God give to Daniel? The gift of being able to tell the meaning of dreams and visions He told the future of the coming of our Lord Christ and the spread of Christianity.

21. A Similar Story: Pope Zacharias (64th) Year : (1004) Muslim Ruler of Egypt : Al-Hakim Bi-AmrAllah Coptic Patriarch: Pope Zacharias (64th) Al-Hakim was a cruel ruler who enjoyed torturing , harassing, and killing the Coptic Christians. He put in prison Pope Zacharias for 3 months. He threatened to burn Pope Zacharias alive if he didn’t reject his religion. But the Pope remained steadfast in his faith He promised to make him the chief judge But this too did not faze the Pope He threw him into a den of hungry lions But the lions were seen sitting at his feet without harming him Al-Hakim thought the guards had feed the lions earlier He ordered to put the lions under supervision for 3 days without any food In spite of staining the pope’s garment w/ blood from a slain lamb and putting him back into the den, the lions continued to behave as domesticated cats Finally Al-Hakim released him and those who were imprisoned w/ him.

22. Trample O my Soul Trample O my soulalways on the enemyI will not ever failFor Christ has given me strengthRefrain:And if the world falls apart around mesatan will never defeat meas long as christ is holding meI believe that His hand is mightywith Christ I fear not warI walk among the flamesmy faith brings down wallsand even mountains shakeI will never bowGod's promises lift me upChrist is my one safeguardHis power is enough

23. No Eye has Seen No eye has seen another God like YouWho opens the jails and shatters the chains (repeat)Who parts the sea, and behold gives the powerNo mountains or barriers stand in His wayNo eye has seen, another god like YouWho else but You, do appear in our painsOr rescue our souls, from the lions den (repeat)Who lights the way, when the darkness comes,With a blaze that appears in a pillar of smoke No eye has seen, another god like You Who else but you, went to CalvaryWho else paid my debts, carried my iniquities (repeat)That you promised me you're coming very soonTo take me to heaven for eternity.