Word for the day by Christian Education Forum
Relevance of Daniel's Life in
Today's Context
Alex Thomas
Jackson, TN
“Daniel
resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine”. Daniel 1:8.
Daniel
was one of the four Major Prophets in the “Old Testament” time; along with
Isaiah, Jeremiah and Ezekiel. The meaning of ‘Daniel’ is “God is my
judge”. The King of Babylon, Nebuchadnezzar, conquered Jerusalem in 597
BC and took Daniel, a teenager , as a captive, along with several
others to Babylon.
Self-Control: Daniel 1:8, 10:3. Daniel and his
friends resolved not to defile themselves with the royal food and wine .
They ate only vegetables and drank only water, yet they looked healthier and
better nourished than any of the young men who ate royal food. When the king
questioned them in every matter of wisdom and understanding, they were found 10
times better than all the magicians and enchanters in the kingdom.
Prayerfulness: Dan. 2:17-18, Dan. 6:16. King
Nebuchadnezzar summoned all the magicians, enchanters, wise men and astrologers
and told them that he had a dream, which he forgot, but they should tell him
the dream and its interpretation; if not they all would be put to death and
their houses destroyed. Daniel and his friends prayed and the Lord revealed the
dream and its meaning to Daniel in a vision. “Those who hope in the Lord
will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles”. Isaiah 40:31.
Courage& Integrity. In Daniel 5:22-23, we see that
he had the courage to tell king Belshazzar that, the king has not humbled
himself and set himself against the Lord of heaven. Later king Belshazzar
was slain and Darius became the king. The king Darius was fond of Daniel’s
administrative capabilities. The other administrators were jealous and
could not find any charges against Daniel in his conduct of governmental
affairs. They conspired to trap Daniel in the matter of his faith. Yet,
Daniel courageously knelt down and gave thanks to God .So Daniel was thrown
into the lions’ den. When the king came near the lions’ den and called Daniel,
he said, “My God sent his angel, and he shut the mouths of the lions’”, Daniel
6:22. Daniel did not forsake his God even when he faced torture and death.
Humility: God has revealed to Daniel deep and
mysterious things and also given him the power to interpret dreams .
Daniel was very humble before God as can be seen from Daniel 10:17, “How can I,
your servant talk with you, my Lord? My strength is gone and I can hardly
breathe.” In Daniel 2:20 we read that, “Praise be to the name of God forever
and ever; wisdom and power are his”.
Spiritual
vision: Dan.
7:9-12, Dan. 10. 5-6. Daniel had spiritual visions a few times and with the
help of God, became a powerful interpreter of dreams. In Daniel 2:48, we see
that king Nebuchadnezzar made him the ruler over the entire province of
Babylon, but even then he maintained his spiritual life without compromising
his faith in the midst of heathens.
In this day and age
when corruption is rampant and people will do anything and everything possible
to amass power and position, the life of Daniel gives us a model of empowering
testimony. Daniel refused to go along with the king and crowd to do evil.
He did not compromise his beliefs even in the midst of powerful adversities. To
live victoriously as Daniel did, we have to have a close relationship with God.
PRAYER
Lord give us the courage to be like
Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego who said, “If we are thrown into the blazing
furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will
deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. But even if he does not, we want
you to know, Your Majesty that we will not serve your gods or worship the image
of gold you have set up”., Daniel 3:17-18.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
“He who began a good
work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus”,
Philippians 1:6.