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Daniel's Profile
Daniel's early life demonstrates that there is more
to being young than making mistakes. No characteristics wins the hearts of
adults more quickly than wisdom in the words and actions of a young person.
Daniel and his friends had been taken from their homes in Judah and exiled.
Their futures were in doubt, but they all had personal traits that qualified
them for jobs as servants in the king's palace. They took advantage of the
opportunity without letting the opportunity take advantage of them.
Our first hint of Daniel's greatness comes in his quiet refusal to give
up his convictions. He has applied God's will to his own life, and he resisted
changing the good habits he had formed. Both his physical and spiritual diets
were an important part of his relationship with God. He ate carefully and lived
prayerfully. One of the benefits of being in training for royal service was
eating food from the king's table. Daniel tactfully chose a simpler menu and
proved it was a healthy choice. As with Daniel, mealtimes are obvious and
regular tests of our efforts to control our appetites.
While Daniel limited his food intake, he indulged in prayer. He was
able to communicate with God because he made it a habit. He put into practice
his convictions, even when that meant being thrown into a den of hungry lions.
His life proved he made the right choice.
Do you hold so strongly to your faith in God that whatever happens you
will do what God says? Such conviction keeps you a step ahead of temptation;
such conviction gives you wisdom and stability in changing circumstances.
Prayerfully live out your convictions in everyday life and trust God for the
results.
Daniel's Strengths and Accomplishments
1. Although young when deported, remained true to his faith
2. Served as an advisor to two Babylonian kings and two Medo-Persian kings
3. Was a man of prayer and a statesman with the gift of prophecy
4. Survived the lion's den
Lessons from Daniel's Life
1. Quiet convictions often earn long-term respect
2. Don't wait until you are in a tough situation to learn about prayer
3. God can use people wherever they are
Daniel's Vital Statistics
1. Where: Judah and the courts of both Babylon and Persia
2. Occupation: A captive from Israel who became an adviser of kings
3. Contemporaries: Hananiah, Mishael, Azariah, Nebuchadnezzar, Belshazzar,
Darius, Cyrus
Key Verse
"This man Daniel, whom the king called Belteshazzar, was found
to have a keen mind and knowledge and understanding, and also the ability to
interpret dreams, explain riddles and solve difficult problems. Call for Daniel,
and he will tell you what the writing means" (5:12).
Daniel's story is told in the book of Daniel. He is also
mentioned in Matthew 24:15.
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