How to Thrive Under Authority

The story of Daniel tells us that he was dealt a bad hand in his life, and also forced to serve unfair, unreasonable, and wicked minded leaders. There was no one that had more reason to be bitter, rebellious, and non compliant than Daniel. His story is an example for each of us to not just submit, but actually thrive under authority.

13:1-7

1-Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.

2-Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.

3-For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you.

4-For he is God's servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God's servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer.

5-Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience.

6-This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God's servants, who give their full time to governing.

7-Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.

This is sometimes hard to do

1.) Respect authority by showing respect. By this action you can then gain favor with authority, and possibly even influence their decisions.

Daniel 1:8-15

8- But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way.

9- Now God had caused the official to show favor and sympathy to Daniel,

10- but the official told Daniel, "I am afraid of my lord the king, who has assigned your food and drink. Why should he see you looking worse than the other young men your age? The king would then have my head because of you."

11- Daniel then said to the guard whom the chief official had appointed over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah,

12- "Please test your servants for ten days: Give us nothing but vegetables to eat and water to drink.

13- Then compare our appearance with that of the young men who eat the royal food, and treat your servants in accordance with what you see."

14- So he agreed to this and tested them for ten days.

15- At the end of the ten days they looked healthier and better nourished than any of the young men who ate the royal food.

Don't worry, all is as it should be

Be faithful with the opportunities you do have, and don't worry about the opportunities that aren't there.

Daniel 2:14-16

14- When Arioch, the commander of the king's guard, had gone out to put to death the wise men of Babylon, Daniel spoke to him with wisdom and tact.

15- He asked the king's officer, "Why did the king issue such a harsh decree?" Arioch then explained the matter to Daniel.

16- At this, Daniel went in to the king and asked for time, so that he might interpret the dream for him.

is given by God

(2. Understand that no one is in authority unless God put them there. They aren't in our lives by accident, chance, or even coincidence . All authority comes from God.

Daniel 2:19-23

19- During the night the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision. Then Daniel praised the God of heaven

20- and said:"Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever;wisdom and power are his.

21- He changes times and seasons;he sets up kings and deposes them. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning.

22- He reveals deep and hidden things;he knows what lies in darkness,and light dwells with him.

23- I thank and praise you, O God of my fathers:You have given me wisdom and power,you have made known to me what we asked of you,you have made known to us the dream of the king.

in God's hands

Be still in where God has you. When you truly believe God is Sovereign you can then trust him with the outcome of your situation. Leave it there, in his holy hands.

Daniel 5:10-17

10 The queen, hearing the voices of the king and his nobles, came into the banquet hall. "O king, live forever!" she said. "Don't be alarmed! Don't look so pale!

11- There is a man in your kingdom who has the spirit of the holy gods in him. In the time of your father he was found to have insight and intelligence and wisdom like that of the gods. King Nebuchadnezzar your father-your father the king, I say-appointed him chief of the magicians, enchanters, astrologers and diviners.

12- This man Daniel, whom the king called Belteshazzar, was found to have a keen mind and knowledge and understanding, and also the ability to interpret dreams, explain riddles and solve difficult problems. Call for Daniel, and he will tell you what the writing means."

13- So Daniel was brought before the king, and the king said to him, "Are you Daniel, one of the exiles my father the king brought from Judah?

14- I have heard that the spirit of the gods is in you and that you have insight, intelligence and outstanding wisdom.

15- The wise men and enchanters were brought before me to read this writing and tell me what it means, but they could not explain it.

16- Now I have heard that you are able to give interpretations and to solve difficult problems. If you can read this writing and tell me what it means, you will be clothed in purple and have a gold chain placed around your neck, and you will be made the third highest ruler in the kingdom."

17- Then Daniel answered the king, "You may keep your gifts for yourself and give your rewards to someone else. Nevertheless, I will read the writing for the king and tell him what it means.

Stay consistent in your attitude, actions, and words during your walk in life. I promise you will earn the respect of people in authority, as well as thrive under their leadership.

Now let us recall 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 always done before.

Daniel served his authority with respect but his highest authority was His God. He already solidified in himself to serve God no matter what the consequences were. His actions, attitude, and words were consistent. Can you imagine someone or others being so jealous of you at your place of employment that they could go as far as changing the law to try to remove you or such a person from their position?

Daniel could of been bitter (or even furious) not only at his co workers (as we call them today) but also his employer; the King. He could of been disrespectful for what had happened to him while he was staying faithful to God, by continuing to pray. However, much to his dismay the King could not go against his own decree, and he gave the order for Daniel to be thrown into the Lion's den.

Daniel 6:16

16 So the king gave the order, and they brought Daniel and threw him into the lions' den. The king said to Daniel, "May your God, whom you serve continually, rescue you!

Daniel thrived under authority to his God and to his employer even after all that was done to him. He could of cursed the king for allowing Daniel to go through all that but instead he said: O king, live forever!

Daniel 6:19-22

19) At the first light of dawn, the king got up and hurried to the lions' den.

20) When he came near the den, he called to Daniel in an anguished voice, "Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to rescue you from the lions?

21) Daniel answered, "O king, live forever!

22) 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, O king.

Daniel's faithfulness, respect attitude and actions is what gave him favor and God used it to honor his faithful servant and to bring honor to His name.

But Daniel's faithfulness paid richly

Daniel 6:25-27

25) Then King Darius wrote to all the peoples, nations and men of every language throughout the land:"May you prosper greatly!

26) "I issue a decree that in every part of my kingdom people must fear and reverence the God of Daniel."For he is the living God and he endures forever; his kingdom will not be destroyed his dominion will never end.

27) He rescues and he saves; he performs signs and wonders in the heavens and on the earth. He has rescued Daniel from the power of the lions,"

Be faithful

God is in control! Don't hang your life hat on awards, labels, or titles. We must be content where the Lord has us. This doesn't mean you can't continue to climb in life, as well as better yourself. I am simply saying it is when you are faithful in the little things that God can then use you for much bigger things. So let us not worry about the opportunities that are far away from our reach. Let us be faithful with the opportunities we have today, and thankful with this faith for the new ones tomorrow.

Lorraine