“And such as violate the covenant he shall pervert and seduce with flatteries, but the people who know their God shall prove themselves strong and shall stand firm and do exploits [for God]” (Daniel 11:32).
Royal but Fierce (7): Prince Daniel
Feat. Counselor T
Daniel saw beyond his privileges as a chosen Prince in Babylon. He pursued after God and was very consistent in the act. He showed us lessons regarding the sovereignty of God that we need to believe and rest in. He lived in captivity in Babylon along with his friends Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Though they faced pressures to conform to Babylonian society and give up the ways of their people, they stood strong in their faith. We were also made to understand that God had blessed Daniel with wisdom and the ability to interpret dreams.
The traits that most define Daniel are his sincerity, closeness, generosity, and sensitivity. In general, Daniel is usually quite open-minded and organized.
The life of Daniel is a story of a person being faithful to God. More importantly, the life of Daniel recorded in the Old Testament gives evidence of God’s faithfulness. God knew Daniel – He knew Daniel’s needs and what Daniel was struggling with – and it’s clear that God cared for Daniel [He wants to be your God and care for you].
What summarizes the lesson of Daniel and the lions? It is to pray always and to forgive people Daniel could have easily become bitter over the humiliation of being offered as lions’ lunch-meat. Many of us would not have gone the same route as Daniel
The lion’s den as it is represents a place or state of extreme disadvantage, antagonism, or hostility and also shows what the devil is capable of.
In Daniel 6, Daniel is raised to a high office by his royal master Darius the Mede. Daniel’s jealous rivals tricked his master, Darius into issuing a decree that for thirty days no prayers should be addressed to any god or man but Darius himself; anyone who disobeys this edict is to be thrown to the lion’s den.
Daniel, being a true worshiper continues to pray daily to the God of Israel, and the king, although deeply distressed, must condemn Daniel to death, for the edicts of the Medes and Persians cannot be altered. He was however unharmed due to his devotion to his God.
Hoping for Daniel’s deliverance, he had him cast into the pit. At daybreak the king hurries to the place and cries out anxiously, asking if God had saved his friend. Daniel replies that his God had sent an angel to close the jaws of the lions, claiming he was found blameless before him (God). The king then commanded that those who had conspired against Daniel be thrown to the lion’s den in his place with their wives and children and that the whole world should tremble and fear before the God of Daniel.
Lessons to learn from Daniel
1. He didn’t compromise his standards; he made known his stand which is to the only true God.
2. He made God the center of his life.
3. He was a prayer warrior (when the chiefs wanted to catch him for wrong doing, he was caught only for praying).
4. His strength didn’t waver even through hardship
5. He was a wise man
6. He was not tempted by the worldly things.
The message of the Book of Daniel is that, just as the God of Israel saved Daniel and his friends from their enemies, so he would save all Israel in their present oppression.
It doesn’t matter what the situation is, the lord is always readily available to deliver us.
May God grant us the understanding needed to make good use of this awesome privilege of being his children. Amen!!!