Daniel 1: 8-17, Daniel 5:12, Daniel 6:3, Daniel 6: 10-28, 2 Timothy 1:7

Lucy Paculabo Mhondera

There is a lot to learn from the book of Daniel, it not only connects the old and new testaments but also shows how God gave Daniel insight and detailed prophecies about future events, especially the end times. It is important to have a clear understanding of Daniel in order to have a clear understanding of the book of Revelation. If you want to understand prophecy this is an important book of the Bible to dive into and I would encourage you to do so, but today I want to look at something else the book of Daniel teaches us - character.

If there are three things we can learn from Daniel, they would be faithfulness, courage and excellence.

After Babylon conquered Judah, the King of Babylon, Nebuchadnezzar, decided to bring in young Hebrew men who had been captured from Judah and train them to work in his kingdom. In order to do this these young men had to change their lifestyle and conform to the ways of Babylon. Daniel was one of those young Hebrew men, who loved God and was determined to be faithful to God even in the midst of difficult situations where acceptance and 'fitting in' were essential.

Daniel was a man who refused to compromise, even if his choices put his life in danger. He refused to be a 'people pleaser' but instead looked to God, to please Him only. He believed strongly in keeping his commitments and didn't care what happened to him as long as he remained faithful to God.

Daniel chapter 1:8-17 tells us how he requested not to eat or drink the king's rich food and wine. It says that he was determined in his heart that he would not defile himself. Daniel must have made a commitment to God not to eat or drink certain things. He felt convicted not to join the rest of the people around him. Instead he stayed faithful which resulted in God giving him incredible favour. After 10 days Daniel had put on more weight and was looking better than the rest of the young people who had been indulging in the king's food and drink.

Daniel refused to change his ways to fit in with the Babylon society and instead stood his ground and won respect and favour from the king. God used him in a very powerful way as a result of him standing up without fear, focusing on what pleased God rather than what pleased people.

Daniel became a highly respected official in the land of Babylon and an asset to the king. Throughout you will read how the different kings requested his presence to interpret dreams and visions. God had given him the gift of prophecy and the kings showed much respect to Daniel. He was known throughout the land as a man with an 'excellent spirit' as stated in Daniel 5:12 and Daniel 6:3.

Imagine being referred to as someone with an 'excellent spirit'. Not only are you being recognised as different, standing out from the crowd, but as excellent. We must make a decision in life to walk with God and not pick and choose our own way. We must break off anything that holds us down and wastes our time. Be determined to work hard and refuse to give up, drawing on God's strength. If we persist with a spirit of excellence we will be victorious.

In Daniel chapter 6 the king issued a decree that anyone who prayed or worshipped any god other than the king would be thrown into the lions den. On hearing this, Daniel immediately opened the windows in his house and prayed to God. Not only did he refuse to obey this decree but he opened the windows in his house which must have allowed others to see and hear him. He was not fearful for his life but knew that in that moment he must pray and worship God. Daniel was indeed thrown into a pit of hungry lions but he was miraculously unharmed. God protected him by shutting the mouths of the lions. Can you imagine! Without fear, doubt or hesitation Daniel got on his knees and prayed knowing what the consequences would be. This act of faithfulness resulted in the king bringing Daniel out of the pit and issuing a new decree that all people should tremble and fear Daniel's God, as being the true living God.

Our God is an excellent God and he has called us to be excellent, to live by example. To be the best people we can be. Going that extra mile and striving to do what we believe God wants us to do. There are so many things we can conform to in life, things we do to please people rather than please God. If we would only stand our ground on even some of the smallest things in life we would see God's amazing favour and fruit from just being faithful. Make a decision to be excellent in all that you do and you will not only bring glory to God but He will bless you abundantly as you walk the journey of life together.

In the Amplified Bible, 2 Timothy 1:7 says 'For God did not give us a spirit of timidity (of cowardice, of craven and cringing and fawning fear), but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of calm and well-balanced mind and discipline and self-control'.