Most of the book of Daniel is filled with visions and dreams about the future. For this reason, it is important to study the book. Originally, Daniel was taken prisoner from his native country and transported to Babylon. He was a man that can teach us in our modern times so much about serving God.
Daniel knew the negative side of life. During the siege of Jerusalem, he watched as his city was destroyed. It must’ve been heartbreaking for him to witness such total annihilation. As a consequence of his captivity, his personal religion and faith was brought to disdain by those who lived in Babylon. He had to resist the temptation to become bitter over his experiences.
However, Daniel stayed strong, refusing to submit himself to the king’s demands. He resisted the pleasures of his new world. To him there was no comparison between the luxury offered to him in a foreign country and service to the Lord God.
Because of Daniel being the kind of person that he was, it made him a “rare thing” before the world. Through his faith he was able to witness to and intercede for other people even though he was under stress. He set the gold standard for all of us to seek knowledge and understanding from God so that we will be stable in all that we do.
As a result of these observations, there are lessons that we can take from his example. Go with me now and let us itemize some of these lessons for ourselves.
He was a man who found himself in the world, but he was not of the world 1:20
He was able because of his close connection with God to avoid fear and yet take risks 2:16
He made sure to stay united in prayer with others of like faith 2:18
He gave glory to God when other people would relish the praise of others 2:28
He reminds us that even if we have been thrown in the fire of life God is with us 3:25
He had the kind of belief that tells us to read the signs that come from God 5:16
He knew that if he ever received a promotion, it actually came from God 6:3
He was persistent and faithful in prayer regardless of any circumstance 6:10
He was so close to God that he could testify to us that angels are real 6:22
He found if any hurt that was levied against him it was limited by God 6:23
He maintained a concern above today for the future 7:28
He knew what it was like to be touched in a divine way and set upright 8:18
He maintained a devotion to God’s word 9:1
He did not just say words but was serious in his prayer life 9:3,5
He wanted his prayers to be answered immediately but he was patient 9:23; 10:12
He, as part of his prayers, suffered with a burden for others 10:1
No matter where we find him in the story of his life, no matter what experiences we read he endured, Daniel was faithful to God and his own integrity him and regardless of any pressures he experienced. The world is always knocking on our own door to accept offers which would eventually become a curse. When those offers are presented, there is never a disclaimer for what the negative consequences would be if we decide to walk on the wide path that eventually leads to destruction. Keep Daniel in mind as a good role model for the Christian life.
Christian Writer 