“Do not be afraid, you who are highly esteemed….Peace! Be strong now; be strong.” Daniel 10:19
Recently, I had the privilege to serve in the kitchen for Camp Barakel’s junior high camp, baking brownies, cakes, cookies and rolls for 175 hungry kids and adults. In spite of rising at 5:45 each morning, I looked forward to the devotionals we enjoyed on the life of Daniel. At 6:45, coffee in hand, we sat around the table and learned about this highly esteemed prophet. Here are a few thoughts taken from our early mornings with God.
Daniel lived well into his 80’s, and he lived out Hebrews 12:1, “Let us also lay aside every encumbrance, and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.” There were four areas that stood out in Daniel’s life: self-discipline, integrity, humility and courage. These all affected his deep concern for others and his relationship with God.
Self-discipline – Daniel purposed in his heart he would not eat the king’s food, but preferred to keep God’s dietary laws on food for a healthier lifestyle. Daniel was a teenager when he was taken captive from Israel to his new home in Babylon and lived there throughout the Jew’s seventy-year captivity. It would have been easy for him to fall into line and accept the king’s “dainties,” but Daniel was more interested in serving the Lord than the king. His self-discipline extended to praying on his knees 3 times a day, seeking God with fasting, sackcloth and ashes to the point of extreme weariness, Daniel 9:3, 21. It also included 3 weeks of mourning without tasty food, meat or wine, or ointment for the body, Daniel 10:2-3. Prayer can be hard work! What are some pleasures or self-indulgences that might not be sinful, but might be holding us back from a life of faith?
Integrity – sometimes described as “what we do when no one is looking.” Integrity causes us to be honest and bold. Daniel’s life was evidenced in his honest and straightforward messages to the kings, both Nebuchadnezzar and his grandson, Belshazzar. He spoke faithfully to those absolute rulers about the king’s dreams and his coming insanity, and later the interpretation of the handwriting on the wall. In spite of speaking truth, he was promoted! He honored them and they trusted him! He was one of the top 3 commissioners of the land so the king “would not suffer loss.” Daniel’s enemies could find no fault with him, even though they looked desperately to find negligence or corruption!
Humility – Daniel never glorified himself. He always gave credit and glory to God, Daniel 2:27-30. He was concerned about God’s reputation and did not appeal to God based on his own merit, but on His character. It was all about God! He sought God with fasting, sackcloth and ashes. He associated himself with the sins of his people. Thirty-two times in chapter 9, he used the words “we,” “our” and “us.” Two other great leaders prayed like Daniel: Ezra and Nehemiah. We like to shift blame on others and distance ourselves from those who are caught doing wrong, but not Daniel!
Courage – “doing the right thing despite fear.” Daniel’s actions demonstrated courage. As a youth, he requested a different diet. As a king’s counselor, he boldly told the truth, confronted error and gave godly advice. He continued to pray even though he knew about the king’s edict and certain death in the lion’s den. He might well have been afraid, but he did the right thing anyway! Only angels and visions left Daniel trembling and without strength. His visions of the future distressed and alarmed him, leaving him exhausted. He was moved by the tragedy facing future generations whom he would never know!
This is a little “fly-over” on the book of Daniel, but does it motivate you to share Christ with your unbelieving friends and pray for your country’s leaders? And don’t forget to pray for your Christian friends that God will use them in His own unique ways.
Your friend, Jean