STRENGTH FOR EXPLOITS

DANIEL 11:30-35

INTRODUCTION

When we draw near and closer to God, He will renew our strength and we will be able to do unusual exploits for His kingdom. Let us zero in verse 32, our topic verse. Here we have three ideas. There is the thoughts of knowing God, being strong and doing exploits. God’s people are characterized by what they know, what they are and what they do. God’s people or believers in Jesus Christ are different from worldly and unconverted people in these three aspects. In the matter of knowing, in the matter of being and in the matter of doing. In these three characteristics of the child of God the characteristics are related. As we know God, we can be strong and as we are strong we can do exploits in the Name of Jesus Christ. The opposite is also true. If we don’t know God, we cannot be strong, when we are not strong we cannot do exploits for God. Last Sunday in this particular worship service we talked about walking in Dominion, power, authority and rule.

Let us examine the three ideas in Daniel 11:32:-

I.  KNOWING GOD.

• What does it mean to know God?
• Some people claim to know God or many of us live on the assumptions that we know God.
• However, in real sense, they did not know God at all or only know little of Him.
• It is not enough to know about Him. It is possible to know much about the Lord, His nature and attributes and yet not to know Him personally. (Rom. 10:1-10)
• We can only know God through the Lord Jesus Christ. (John 14:6-7)

How we do we really get to know God?

1. We get to know Him as we spend time in communion and in fellowship with Him.

• We get to know anybody by spending time in his / her presence.
• We get to know God as we spend time alone with Him, and cultivate fellowship and friendship with Him.
• Enoch did it (Gen.5:22-24)

2. We get to know God as we listen to Him speaking to us.

• When friends get together they talk and listen to each other.
• We then get to know one another.
• Mary knew how to know the Lord (Luke 10:38-42)

3. We get to know Him by speaking to Him.

• Fellowship is mutual not one sided affair. David did it. (Psalm 55:16-17)

4. We get to know Him by observing his ways of working. Knowledge through exposure (2 Peter 3:18)
5. We get to know Him by regular fellowship with the people of God (Heb.3:12-14)

Our measure to know God will determine the measure of our being and our doing exploits.

II.  BEING STRONG

• The more we know Him the more we will be stronger.
• We will be strong physically and spiritually.
• We will be strong morally, like Daniel and the three Hebrew youths (Eph.6:10-12)

As we go on to know God;

1. We shall become stronger in our confidence in Him (Ro.8:33-39)
2. We shall become stronger in our power to meet and overcome temptations and evil. Joseph knew God, he was strong (Gen.37:7-14)
3. We shall become stronger in our ability to be a strength to others.- Many people stand because you stand (Isa.40:28-31)

III. DOING EXPLOITS.

1. An exploit is “a heroic deed of achievement “, a great and daring feat.

• Think of Gideon and his 300 men (Judges 7:19-23)
• Think of Samson (Judges 14:5-6)
• Think of Elijah on Mt. Carmel (I Kings 18:36-39)
• Think of God’s Heroes in (Hebrews 11)
• Think of the Apostle in the early Church (Acts.15:26)

2. What are mighty exploits?

• A mighty exploit is the one that counts for eternity.
• We do mighty exploits by prayer.
• Elijah through prayer brought the judgement of drought (James 5:17-18)
• We do mighty exploits by witnessing

What does God look for in mighty exploits?

1. Love- Love must constrain us (II Cor.5:10-21)
2. Obedience- God looks for obedience.
3. Submission, self-denial, principles of Hilliness.

CONCLUSION

• Job’s mightiest exploits was when he praised God after he lost everything.
• We must oppose evil and overcome it by good.
• The end and the means must both be righteous.
• The price we pay for doing what is right may be very high- sword, flame, captivity etc.
• Mighty exploits are not for super saints, but for every one of God’s people.