How To Be More Heroic Like Daniel
DANIEL WAS A TRUE BELIEVER EVEN BEFORE CAPTIVITY
Daniel’s heroics have been inspiring brethren for over 2,000 years. His victories have helped us all get stronger. Daniel and his family were among the loyal Israelites even before captivity. God had the Babylonians take those that were not decadent in the first wave of captivity. Thus he protected them from the horrors of the later siege of Jerusalem. Babylon became their place of safety. It pays to worship the true God faithfully.
Jeremiah 24:3-6 RSV 3 And the LORD said to me, "What do you see, Jeremiah?" I said, "Figs, the good figs very good, and the bad figs very bad, so bad that they cannot be eaten." 4 Then the word of the LORD came to me: 5 "Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel: Like these good figs, so I will regard as good the exiles from Judah, whom I have sent away from this place to the land of the Chaldeans. 6 I will set my eyes upon them for good, and I will bring them back to this land. I will build them up, and not tear them down; I will plant them, and not uproot them.
God protects those that stand up for His ways in the face of growing evil. He will do so also in the future.
Revelation 3:9-11 RSV 9 Behold, I will make those of the synagogue of Satan who say that they are Jews and are not, but lie--behold, I will make them come and bow down before your feet, and learn that I have loved you. 10 Because you have kept my word of patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial which is coming on the whole world, to try those who dwell upon the earth. 11 I am coming soon; hold fast what you have, so that no one may seize your crown.
Daniel went into captivity as a true believer. He was blessed and protected for his courage and we can learn from Daniel's example and also be so blessed. He was fifteen when Jerusalem was first under siege and carried away captive in 605 B.C. The Emperor took the cream of the crop of this first batch of captives and wisely enrolled some into the 'Babylonian Royal Academy '. Daniel and his three friends are the only ones of the captives mentioned as to defying the raw paganism. Probably other Jewish captives were not as dedicated to God and his laws. We must strive to be strong and faithful like those four young men even in the face of apostasy and popular trends.
PREPARE OUR HEARTS IN ADVANCE LIKE DANIEL DID TO REMAIN FAITHFUL AND TRUE
Note that he determined in his heart NOT to defile himself even before the trials began. We can learn a lesson of being prepared before the crisis. Like sailors on warships who practice fire drills many times before going into combat with incendiary weapons on both sides. That kind of preparation saves lives. We should learn to be prepared in advance and be determined now to be like heroic Daniel.
Daniel 1:8 RSV 8 But Daniel resolved that he would not defile himself with the king's rich food, or with the wine which he drank; therefore he asked the chief of the eunuchs to allow him not to defile himself
Daniel had determined to not compromise with the evils of paganism from the beginning of his captivity.
Daniel, and probably his family, were among the faithful Jews prior to captivity. God gave these good faithful Israelites a heart to know God. No doubt, through Bible knowledge, Feast and Sabbath attendance they learned an obedience to God. This was done amazingly during a period of growing apostasy in the nation. Daniel and his family were the Jews who clung to the true God and prepared themselves to be strong and faithful. We too, should prepare ourselves and our families in advance to be strong. God said of these believers.
Jeremiah 24:7 RSV 7 I will give them a heart to know that I am the LORD; and they shall be my people and I will be their God, for they shall return to me with their whole heart.
While Judah was facing brutal captivity God was sheltering the faithful and preparing them for the return.
DANIEL CALLED UPON GOD IN A CRISIS THRU PRAYER AND FASTING AS NEEDED
When he learned of the death threat from Nebuchadnezzar he went to his three friends. They all petitioned God for favor which they received. Additionally, they received the meaning of the infamous dream.
Daniel 2:17-19 RSV 17 Then Daniel went to his house and made the matter known to Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, his companions, 18 and told them to seek mercy of the God of heaven concerning this mystery, so that Daniel and his companions might not perish with the rest of the wise men of Babylon. 19 Then the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision of the night. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven.
Daniel courageously went to the Emperor to request time to seek the answer from his God. He marshaled the prayer power of his fellow believers. We should follow this example when we are in a trial. Many worldly churches teach that the Old Testament is done away and is only valuable for stories but not to be totally believed. However if one believes in the New Testament one has to believe in the Old Testament. Why? Jesus himself verified the legitimacy of Daniels book.
Matthew 24:15-16 RSV 15 "So when you see the desolating sacrilege spoken of by the prophet Daniel, standing in the holy place (let the reader understand), 16 then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains;
DANIEL WAS A MAN OF TACT, AND COURAGE IN THE FACE OF DANGER
We all need to learn to act and to trust God to rescue us. But note, Daniel was tactful and did not foolishly stir up trouble.
Daniel 2:13-15 RSV 13 So the decree went forth that the wise men were to be slain, and they sought Daniel and his companions, to slay them. 14 Then Daniel replied with prudence and discretion to Arioch, the captain of the king's guard, who had gone out to slay the wise men of Babylon; 15 he said to Arioch, the king's captain, "Why is the decree of the king so severe?"
In regards the unclean and overly rich and decadent foods he was decisive. Daniel knew this rich no doubt greasy wine laden diet was against the laws of God. Meaning this diet was detrimental to their health. He stood up for truth in what some would have called a minor issue.
Daniel 1:11-13 RSV 11 Then Daniel said to the steward whom the chief of the eunuchs had appointed over Daniel...12 "Test your servants for ten days; let us be given vegetables to eat and water to drink.
Daniel and his companions were healthier and mentally more alert than the others and ended the training sessions with the highest marks from the Emperor.
13 Then let our appearance and the appearance of the youths who eat the king's rich food be observed by you, and according to what you see deal with your servants."
It pays to obey all God's laws.
DANIEL AGAIN SHOWS HIS UNWAVERING FAITH IN GOD IN THE LION'S DEN
Daniel and his associates were especially strong when it came to dietary issues and not bowing down to idols. Even under threat of his life, Daniel refused to modify, or get overly secretive about his prayers. He was more concerned with offending God than the political leaders.
Daniel 6:10 RSV 10 When Daniel knew that the document had been signed, he went to his house where he had windows in his upper chamber open toward Jerusalem; and he got down upon his knees three times a day and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as he had done previously.
Even though his life was threatened He refused to stop worshiping the true God. Again he was blessed, promoted and rescued because of his courage and faithfulness to the God of Israel the true God. Daniel was so wise and courageous that he had the king of Persia hoping for his rescue.
Daniel 6:14-18 RSV 14 Then the king, when he heard these words, was much distressed, and set his mind to deliver Daniel;...16 Then the king commanded, and Daniel was brought and cast into the den of lions. The king said to Daniel, "May your God, whom you serve continually, deliver you!" ... Then the king went to his palace, and spent the night fasting; no diversions were brought to him, and sleep fled from him.
Again Daniel gains a great victory over his political enemies. We should assume that God will give us the victory as He did Daniel when we are in a trial caused by the evil one.
Daniel 6:25-28 RSV 25 Then King Darius wrote to all the peoples, nations, and languages that dwell in all the earth:... 26 I make a decree, that in all my royal dominion men tremble and fear before the God of Daniel, for he is the living God, enduring for ever; his kingdom shall never be destroyed, and his dominion shall be to the end. 27 He delivers and rescues, he works signs and wonders in heaven and on earth, he who has saved Daniel from the power of the lions." 28 So this Daniel prospered during the reign of Darius and the reign of Cyrus the Persian.
Daniel was rewarded for his courage and faith. Christ himself verifies Daniels existence and we need to follow his heroic examples.
