Lengthen Your Tranquility

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Introduction: 

1. The conviction and purpose for this sermon is the inspired counsel to end any sins by righteousness, and the only standard of right or upright or righteousness is found in the holy scriptures of our God. 
2. We will apply this verse for warning, exhortation, encouragement, and comfort that God rewards. 
3. We are constantly tempted to sin by three co-conspirators – our flesh, the devil, and this evil world. 
4. God has shown us more and convicted us of more, so our burden to obey is greater (Luke 12:47-48). 
5. Always remember Nebuchadnezzar wrote Daniel 4, not Daniel, and then sent it to the whole earth! 
6. Daniel chapter 4 is precious insider information from watchers to God to Daniel to Nebuchadnezzar, which is very timely with all the attention our newly-elected president is getting in America in 2025. 
7. Daniel 4 was studied previously for its great political perspective in the second link above, including God’s use of watchers and the conflict of mighty angels in the affairs of nations (Dan 10:13,20-21). 
8. You may divide it: Intro (1-3), Dream (4-18), Interpretation (19-27), Event (28-33), Lesson (34-37). 
9. Or you may divide it simpler: Intro (1-3), Warning (4-27), Fulfillment (28-33), Conclusion (34-37). 

1. The DEFINITION of Tranquility 
   1. Tranquility. The quality or state of being tranquil; freedom from disturbance or agitation; serenity, calmness; quietness, peacefulness. 
   2. Tranquil. Free from agitation or disturbance; calm, serene, placid, quiet, peaceful. 
   3. Moses gave Israel wonderful descriptions of tranquility for obedience (Leviticus 26:3-8). 
   4. But He also foretold removing tranquility (Lev 26:16,36,39; Deut 28:28-29,32,34,65-67). 
   5. Psalm 1, And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. 
   6. Ps 23, He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. 
   7. Psalm 107:28-30, He bringeth them out of their distresses. He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still. Then are they glad because they be quiet; so he bringeth them unto their desired haven. 
   8. Proverbs 1:33, But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil. 
   9. Isaiah 14:7-8, The whole earth is at rest, and is quiet: they break forth into singing. Yea, the fir trees rejoice at thee, and the cedars of Lebanon, saying, Since thou art laid down, no feller is come up against us. 
   10. Isaiah 26:3, Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. 
   11. Isaiah 54:13-14, And all thy children shall be taught of the LORD; and great shall be the peace of thy children. In righteousness shalt thou be established: thou shalt be far from oppression; for thou shalt not fear: and from terror; for it shall not come near thee. 
   12. Jeremiah 30:10, Therefore fear thou not, O my servant Jacob, saith the LORD; neither be dismayed, O Israel: for, lo, I will save thee from afar, and thy seed from the land of their captivity; and Jacob shall return, and shall be in rest, and be quiet, and none shall make him afraid. 
   13. I Kings 4:25 and Micah 4:4, And Judah and Israel dwelt safely, every man under his vine and under his fig tree … and none shall make them afraid: for the mouth of the LORD of hosts hath spoken it. 
   14. Matthew 11:28-30, Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. 
   15. John 14:27, Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. 
   16. Philippians 4:6-7, Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. 
2. The DESIRE for Tranquility 
   1. We all want tranquil lives. It is a great blessing. And we want to die tranquilly at the end. 
   2. The righteous die better than the wicked, and they also die better than carnal Christians. 
   3. The reason we pray for kings and those in authority is for our tranquility (I Tim 2:1-3), and God promised quiet and peace even to captives in Babylon for prayer (Jer 29:4-7). 
   4. Solomon taught tranquility is better than prosperity and luxury (Proverbs 17:1; Eccl 4:6). 
   5. Jabez was born to an unhappy mother due to foolish siblings, but he prayed for God’s blessing of prosperity and tranquility, and God granted him his request (I Chron 4:9-10). 
   6. But desire only goes so far, for the lesson of the text is that tranquility is very conditional.
3. The EXAMPLE of Tranquility 
   1. Our text has the main example of Nebuchadnezzar’s blessings and mercy from Jehovah. 
   2. He was a very great king, a king of kings by God’s statement, and he prospered in peace; Jehovah called this great king His servant and used him against Israel and other nations. 
   3. God convicted him by Daniel’s interpretation and three saved from his furnace, but it did not have a lasting effect by the order of the watchers against him (Dan 2:46-49; 3:28-30). 
   4. As the richest, most powerful and successful king living in earth’s greatest city, he would have had every pleasure and provision for tranquility, until God greatly shocked him. 
   5. We know he had tranquility, because Daniel spoke of him lengthening it, and the chapter opens with the great king resting in his house and flourishing in his palace (Dan 4:4). 
   6. Then he experienced a humbling that exceeded his greatest fears and nightmares ever. 
   7. The dream of Nebuchadnezzar losing his tranquility astonied Daniel one hour (Dan 4:19). 
   8. Do you love a God that if ignored/rejected will invent a new thing for the greatest king?
4. The SOURCE of Tranquility 
   1. Here is where the providence of God is seen and felt in the measure of this great blessing. 
   2. Your life in every detail and respect can be traced back to the First Cause of all things. 
   3. Furthermore, our God is not a God watching at a distance but rewarding good and evil. 
   4. The great GOD Jehovah of Israel and of providence said, I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things (Isaiah 45:7). 
   5. For example, in just three verses He created a great storm and great calm (Matt 4:37-39). 
   6. Job and friends knew what God did could not be altered (Job 9:12; 11:10; 23:13; 34:29). 
   7. Solomon warned of this power of providence in the affairs of men (Ecclesiastes 7:13-14).
5. The BLESSING of Tranquility 
   1. God promised and blessed obedient Israel with tranquility (Lev 26:3-13; Deut 28:1-14). 
   2. When they obeyed they had the best of all aspects of life and God’s presence in addition. 
   3. Job was hedged around by God and all that he had was blessed and increased (Job 1:10). 
   4. Solomon understood God to even make one’s enemies be at peace with him (Prov 16:7). 
   5. David describeth the blessedness of the man enjoying God’s tranquility (Ps 1:3; 128:1-6). 
   6. Paul described peace that exceeds human understanding from God in Christ (Phil 4:6-7)
6. The CURSE of Tranquility 
   1. There is a negative side to tranquility – peace, comfort, and prosperity are not always the best things for us; they may cause ungodly self-confidence, so beware (Psalm 50:21-23). 
   2. God’s longsuffering allowing tranquility can harden foolish, froward men (Eccl 8:11-12). 
   3. God blessed Israel with Canaan, but they rebelled in their great prosperity (Deut 32:15). 
   4. Agur wisely advised that we not seek riches where we might forget God (Prov 30:7-9). 
   5. Prosperity may actually be a judgment – it may be God’s blinding punishment (Pr 1:32). 
   6. God sends sunshine, rain, and goodness on the wicked for wrath (Matt 5:45; Rom 2:4-5).
7. The DANGER of Tranquility 
   1. Tranquility viewed in the wicked can be deceitful and disguising of reality (Ps 73:1-14). 
   2. The wicked get their heaven now; we get ours forever … and sometimes now (Ps 17:14). 
   3. Good men without tranquility can be deceitful or disguising of reality e.g. David or Paul; these two, God’s favorites for sure, had little tranquility for His reasons they accepted. 
   4. God chose the poor of this world as His; the righteous have many afflictions (Ps 34:19). 
   5. Joseph’s great character, detailed in the Bible, may cause wonder due to his troubles. 
   6. Job’s character was just as great, and we cannot question or charge God for his troubles. 
   7. God through the Bible wants us to understand the happy ends of both men (James 5:11), for you cannot overthrow the providence and rules of God for happy lives (Ps 37:37). 
8. The LENGTHENING of Tranquility 
   1. Wicked Ahab lengthened his tranquility by humility and carefulness (I Kings 21:25-29). 
   2. Hezekiah received an extra fifteen years of tranquility by fervent prayer (II Kgs 20:1-11). 
   3. Praying for tranquility is both simple and obvious (I Chronicles 4:9-10; Matt 6:13), but repenting and seeking to please God by any means is even more obvious (Luke 3:7-14). 
   4. Righteousness saves from death, more than prayer or any other means (Proverbs 10:2; 12:28; 28:13; Eccl 7:16-17; Isaiah 1:16-20; 55:6-7; Ezekiel 18:20-22,27-32; Zeph 2:1-3). 
   5. Do not be foolish as was Felix and so many today in putting off repentance (Acts 24:25). 
   6. Self-judgment ought to be a significant part of your life (Psalm 139:23-24; I Cor 11:31). 
   7. Nebuchadnezzar was afraid of his dream (Dan 4:5); Daniel was astonished (Dan 4:19); we might be also if God told us our future (Pr 27:1), which can be altered by repentance. 
   8. God is abundant in pardon to forget sins of repentant sinners (Is 55:6-9; Ezek 18:21-23). 
   9. All other things being equal, righteous living brings tranquility, but be careful, for in the broad providence of our God, He can be doing many different things at different times. 
9. The RIGHTEOUSNESS of Tranquility 
   1. Daniel told Nebuchadnezzar to break off, or end, his sins and replace with righteousness, for God had revealed Himself to the king for better conduct (Daniel 2:46-49; 3:28-30). 
   2. Daniel did not warn for the king to wean himself from sins but rather to break them off. 
   3. Jesus taught to pluck out right eyes and cut off right hands to stop sinning (Matt 5:29-30). 
   4. Paul described it as mortifying or crucifying our flesh rather than any form of coddling it. 
   5. This should be of great importance to us since it is the message of the whole Bible to walk after God’s commandments (Ps 119:11,128; Matt 7:21; Rom 12:1-2; Phil 2:12-16). 
   6. The Bible is our standard of righteousness, and it addresses most every part of our lives, and it is the only way we should ever measure or excuse ourselves but by His word only. 
   7. Examine your life with two questions: Where do I sin in life? What should replace sin? 
   8. Think television, speech, fantasies, authority spheres, bitterness, relationships, sex, time, money, music, sowing discord, pride, alcohol, haste, unthankful, belly worship, etc., etc. 
   9. Sermons at the top of this outline list many sins for your inspection … here, here, here, here.
10. The MERCY of Tranquility 
    1. Daniel told Nebuchadnezzar to break off iniquities and replace with mercy to the poor, for as an arrogant and successful king with absolute life and death power, he had not. 
    2. All Bible context is valuable, so this is not mercy to all, but only those deserving it, for sinners are not to be pitied (Deut 7:16; 13:8; 19:13; 19:21; 25:12; Ezek 9:5,10; I Cor 5:2). 
    3. Solomon’s political wisdom required mercy for the oppressed or weak (Pr 20:28; 31:8-9). 
    4. This should be important, for the Bible emphasizes mercy, never for the sake of moral compromise or empathy for sinners, but for those cases deserving it (Mic 6:6-8; Jas 2:13). 
    5. Examine your life with two questions: Who are my poor? How can I be more merciful? 
    6. Men must think of wives, children, church members, employees, colleagues, parents, etc. 
    7. Women must think of children, church members, siblings, neighbors, aged parents, etc. 
    8. Consider Proverb commentaries about mercy shown to others … here, here, here, here, here.
11. The REMOVAL of Tranquility 
    1. Evil things happen to saints for one or more of four reasons.  Learn and remember this. 
       1. An evil event may be for the glory of God (Jn 9:1-3; 11:1-4; Acts 28:1-6; I Pet 4:14). 
       2. An evil event may be for perfecting your faith (James 1:2-4; Rom 5:3-5; I Pet 1:6-7). 
       3. An evil event may be for chastening due to your sins (Prov 3:11-12; Heb 12:5-13). 
       4. An evil event may be the natural result of your foolishness (Prov 22:8; 28:19; 29:15). 
       5. For more detail of the four causes, see, Why Bad Things Happen to Christians … here. 
    2. Our primary concern in this study is chastening and bad events resulting from our sins. 
    3. Job described in detail loss of tranquility God had previously given him (Job 29:1-25). 
    4. Israel had their tranquility removed regularly (Lev 26:14-39; Judges 2:11-23; Is 5:1-7). 
    5. The way of transgressors is hard (Prov 13:15; 22:5). Consider David (II Sam 12:10-14). 
    6. David and Paul were two of God’s favorites, but they had little tranquility for reasons, which causes scorners and skeptics to bash the Bible, but godly men see God’s integrity. 
    7. Be sure your sin will find you out; if you do not stop and repent (Num 32:23; I John 1:9). 
    8. Frequent reproofs ignored will bring sudden destruction without remedy (Proverbs 29:1). 
    9. While not the lesson here, Solomon said, All is vanity and vexation of spirit (Eccl 2:17), with the lesson being to avoid putting too much effort, time, or value in things of this life.
12. The RETURN of Tranquility 
    1. Manasseh’s tranquility in Jerusalem returned after godly humility (II Chronicles 33:9-13). 
    2. Job’s tranquility by humility (Job 33:12-13; 34:31-32; 36:16-17; 40:3-5; 42:5-6,10-17). 
    3. Nebuchadnezzar’s tranquility returned with his humility before God (Daniel 4:34-37). 
    4. Righteousness will obtain mercy (Joel 2:12-14; Jonah 3:8-9; Eph 6:1-3; I Peter 3:10-12). 
    5. The revival under Hezekiah after destroying the Assyrian army was special (Is 32:17). 
    6. Proportionate peace and spiritual prosperity may be trusted alongside love (Jn 14:21-23).
13. The HOPE of Tranquility 
    1. How will you die, in tranquility or regret, guilt, and fear (Ps 23:4; Prov 14:32; Phil 1:21)? 
    2. The righteous should always remember true tranquility lies beyond death (Isaiah 57:1-2). 
    3. If it got too tranquil here, we might not want heaven, but it does not do so (Rom 8:18-23). 
    4. The tranquility of heaven is described this way: And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away (Rev 21:4). 
    5. But even the hope heaven is dependent on breaking off sins by righteousness and showing mercy (Matt 7:21-23; Acts 10:34-35; II Cor 5:9-11; II Peter 1:5-11; Rev 22:14).