Daniel — Standing for God

Jeremy Northrop

            The book of Daniel serves many different purposes. Perhaps the most notable purpose is it records the coming of the New Testament church. Daniel 2:44 says, “And in the days of these kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed; and the kingdom shall not be left to other people; it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever.” Throughout the book, there are significant recordings and prophecies concerning the church. The fact that these prophecies did come to pass attest to the authenticity of the Bible. It certainly attests to the inspiration of the Bible as well (see 2Timothy 3:16-17 and 2Peter 1:21).

            Another great lesson from the book of Daniel and the life of the person Daniel himself is the illustration that God’s people can overcome the trials and hardships of this life. The Bible promises these hardships will happen.

Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter (1Peter 4:16).

Do not marvel, my brethren, if the world hates you (1John 3:13).

If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you (John 15:18).

Blessed are you when men hate you, And when they exclude you, And revile you, and cast out your name as evil, For the Son of Man's sake (Luke 6:22).

Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake (Matthew 5:11).

These passages and many others show the world will hate Christians and do evil to Christians. God had promised the Christian can overcome (Philippians 4:13; 1Corinthians 10:13). Daniel is a good illustration that the people who serve God will be blessed and protected by God.

            Daniel was one who chose to serve God no matter the consequences. Daniel 1:8 says, “But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank; therefore he requested of the chief of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.” The very next verse shows God’s providence and blessings given to Daniel for the decision he made: “Now God had brought Daniel into the favor and goodwill of the chief of the eunuchs.” More than just this decision, however, there are several things recorded in the book of Daniel which show he never wavered from the decision. He lived a life which showed commitment to the decision.

            Because of the position in which the Lord placed Daniel, he was able to interpret the king’s dreams (see Daniel 2:24-45 and 4:19-27). Through this influence, king Nebuchadnezzar came to respect Jehovah God and His followers. Daniel was able also to interpret the writing on the wall of Daniel five. Daniel was able to eventually distinguish himself before king Darius to the point that the other governors and officials were jealous of him. They even brought false charges against him (see Daniel 6:4-5).  The government tried to enact a law saying it would be illegal to serve any god for 30 days. Yet Daniel — in light of the decision he made in Daniel 1:8 — would not waiver from serving Jehovah God. The other government officials commenced to report Daniel to the king showing he was in violation of the laws of the land (this is a good application of the principle of Acts 5:29). It is interesting that the king was displeased that he had made the law (Daniel 6:14) but still abided by the law. He had Daniel put into a den of lions and knew the Lord would deliver him (Daniel 6:16).

            King Darius’ belief that Jehovah God would deliver Daniel did come to pass. Daniel 6:22 says, “My God sent His angel and shut the lions' mouths, so that they have not hurt me, because I was found innocent before Him; and also, O king, I have done no wrong before you.” Daniel was protected by God. The text says, “...no injury whatever was found on him, because he believed in God” (Daniel 6:23b).

            The remaining verses of this account tell how the people who conspired against Daniel were punished by the king. They were put into the very den of lions which had been prepared for Daniel. Though, they did not have the same fate as Daniel. The lions attacked them before they even reached the bottom of the den!      The application of this account is simple — God delivers those that are His! Darius made a decree that all the people of the land would fear Jehovah God. He acknowledges that God is the living God. He knew and announced that it was God who delivered Daniel from the den of the lions. He knew the power of God and knew Daniel’s commitment to God is what saved him on this occasion and others recorded throughout the book of Daniel. It is interesting that through Daniel’s commitment to God, he was able to have a very positive influence on some very prestigious people. Daniel was able to persuade kings and governors. Indeed, he was the epitome of the declaration of the writer of Proverbs: “Righteousness exalts a nation, But sin is a reproach to any people.”