Light in the Darkness
“Hope Launches Courage”
Daniel 3

Daniel was marked by three traits that set him apart:
Hope – launches courage 
Humility – gives credibility 
Wisdom – provides perspective  

Hope 
Not just wishful thinking - “I hope you have a good day”
Not just a positive mental attitude - “Don’t give up hope; you can do this!”

How do we discover hope?

“Hindsight is 20/20”

How do we discover hope?
Start with what you know – 1:1-2

“In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it.” –Daniel 1:1

Take a step of obedience – 1:8-16

“… Daniel resolved that he would not defile himself with the king's food, or with the wine that he drank. Therefore, he asked the chief of the eunuchs to allow him not to defile himself.” –Daniel 1:8

Keep trusting God regardless – 2:14-23

“Then Daniel replied with prudence and discretion to Arioch, the captain of the king's guard, who had gone out to kill the wise men of Babylon.” –Daniel 2:14

Remember how it all ends – Ezekiel 34:27-31; Jeremiah 25:8-12, 29:8-10; Daniel 9

“…And they shall know that I am the Lord, when I break the bars of their yoke, and deliver them from the hand of those who enslaved them.” –Ezekiel 34:27b 

Daniel 3

“But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.” –Daniel 3:18

Biblical hope
The process of finding absolute confidence in God no matter the outcome.

Hope killers
Anxiety over what might happen – 3:12
Being fixated on the present – 3:13-15
Dependent on outcomes – 3:16-18
Forgetting the link between challenges and growth – 3:19-23

Hope is what launches courage 
Do you have hope today?
Who do you know who needs hope?

Reaching Two