Two Things I Love About Daniel
As we take a look at Daniel in this week’s lesson I am reminded that there are a couple of things I love about Daniel, that sometimes get overlooked. When his neck was on the line, I like how Daniel responded when God revealed to him the king’s dream.
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Then Daniel went in to see Arioch, whom the king had ordered to execute the wise men of Babylon. Daniel said to him, “Don’t kill the wise men. Take me to the king, and I will tell him the meaning of his dream.” Daniel 2:24 NLT
Daniel’s relationship with God did not only save his life. It saved the lives of all the wise men, even the fake ones. Daniel’s first thoughts were of others, not himself. So it is today. The entire world benefits from the Christian influences around them. When the disciples asked Jesus to calm the sea, it was not just calm for their little boat. All the boats on the sea benefited. Daniel wanted to save others. Later when the Persian leaders conspired against Daniel, it did not bother him that others did not have his back the way that he had theirs. Daniel knew God had his back, and that’s all that mattered.
I also marvel at Daniel’s humility. Daniel 1:20 says Daniel and his friends were found to be ten times wiser than the other wise men. Yet when Daniel tells the king’s dream, look at what he says,
And it is not because I am wiser than anyone else that I know the secret of your dream, but because God wants you to understand what was in your heart. Daniel 2:30 NLT
Nothing is more annoying than a wise guy telling you how wise he is. Daniel realized smart people don’t tell you how smart they are. Daniel did not take credit for his wisdom. He credited God’s grace in wanting to reach the king’s heart. Daniel had more than just Scriptural knowledge and prophetic understanding. His concern for others gave him what we now call “people skills”! So much so that he flourished in the heart of Babylon without ever compromising his faith!
As we prepare for the end times, let’s not only pursue Daniel’s prophetic abilities. Let’s follow his example of being concerned for others so that we can also have his people skills.
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Daniel's acknowledging God as the source of wisdom was the Truth. Isn't humility a product of honesty that the knowledge of God will bring out in the life? That, along with a right understanding of justice, in this case, the threat of death on those who did nothing but become the victims of a proud king's fickle temper. (yes, they were not the most honest and he did see through them, yet his reaction was not becoming for a king)
Daniel certainly had that "wisdom from above". A profitable character to study among many found in scripture.
"Daniel did not take credit for his wisdom."
Yes Robert, Daniel did not take credit because he realized it was God's wisdom at work, not his (Daniel 2:30).
Our humility, like Daniel's, springs from the realization that all true "knowledge and wisdom" come from God.
Our "wisdom," apart from God, is foolishness (1 Cor 3.19).
Daniel's relationship with God was exemplary. The history of the story is remarkable, from beginning to end. It has been timely for thousands of years and for us. The focus may not be in the right place. The most important person in the story is God of course. Without God there would be no Daniel. How about our relationship with God? Daniel's habit of prayer daily is an example of how important a relationship with God needs to be.
Hi Paul
I am not sure what you mean by the statement "The focus may not be in the right place". Are you suggesting the focus of William's post is incorrect? Or were you meaning something else?
I believe you posted something almost similar last week Paul. When we zoom into characters we are not sidelining a relationship with God, it is in fact this relationship that makes us want to know how other human beings did it. Surely there is a lot to learn from those who have lived before us and I also believe that this fall under the category of "Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things." Philippians 4:8. Daniel's life is so exemplary that we have a lot of notes to take from him and many others.
Phil I am certain that I was not criticizing William. The story of Daniel includes a relationship with God that allows Daniel to see dreams for Gods purposes. Could we be used to accomplish such a relationship? The character of Daniel was developed from a young age. Even when left in the lions den, years later He was more concerned with the king that put him there. When we consider what our future holds, our trust and faith in God is what will enable us to survive as He wills.
we can not be as good as every one else but if the lord has blessed you with something exceptional he intends that it is for the benefit of others even.no one can think about the poor people and at same time he/she gets the time to collect wealth around himself as Christians we need to leave for others for it is just our heavenly calling.
It was an eye opener and a reminder that we all can do nothing right except our Heavenly father permits it. This should give us all an awakening to our selfishness.
Praising The LORD GOD for You Mr William Earnhardt
Thank you for your prayers for my ministry Jim!
Daniel's prayer life was exemplary. It came to mind to contrast Jonas who ran away. He finally obeyed God but when king and kingdom were saved he was not satisfied and even wished to die. Daniel however went in to see Arioch, ... Daniel said to him, “Don’t kill the wise men.” Seems as if Jonas wanted something else for his congregation. Jonas's sermon was very short. Jonas 3: “Forty more days and Nineveh will be overthrown.” 5 The Ninevites believed God. A fast was proclaimed, and all of them, from the greatest to the least, put on sackcloth.
6 When Jonah’s warning reached the king of Nineveh, he rose from his throne, took off his royal robes, covered himself with sackcloth and sat down in the dust. 7 This is the proclamation he issued in Nineveh:
“By the decree of the king and his nobles:
Do not let people or animals, herds or flocks, taste anything; do not let them eat or drink. 8 But let people and animals be covered with sackcloth. Let everyone call urgently on God. Let them give up their evil ways and their violence. 9 Who knows? God may yet relent and with compassion turn from his fierce anger so that we will not perish.”
10 When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, he relented and did not bring on them the destruction he had threatened. Amen.