HERO'S OF THE BIBLE: Daniel

How Daniel Made His Life Count For God

1. DANIEL REFUSED TO COMPROMISE – 1:1-21

Daniel and his friends were about to enter the university of Babylon. They had been given a scholarship because of their intellect. It was the kings thought to transform them into Babylonians – to take away their identity. The first test was whether they would eat the rich royal food that was set before them. The food was food that Jews thought was unclean.

So Daniel asked the king’s chief official, Ashpenaz, if they could be served vegetables instead.  

Daniel 1:8 "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."    

At first, Ashpenaz hesitated – fearing the wrath of the king. Daniel, unwilling to compromise his principles made a deal with him -  give them ten days and prove if they would not look healthier then everyone else. (Daniel 1:10-20)

2. DANIEL HAD AN “EXCELLENT SPIRIT” IN HIM – 6:1:3

Daniel 6:3  Then this Daniel distinguished himself … because an excellent spirit was in him;

One translation – he had “an extraordinary” spirit. When Daniel was about 80 years old – he faced a great test of character. A law was set on the books – no one could worship any god for thirty days.  Read 6:1-9. Daniel was thrown into the Lion’s Den. (6:10-23) But before this took place – the Bible says that he developed an “excellent spirit.”  This phrase is used only 8 X’s in the OT and it is only used in the Book of Daniel. Daniel was committed to excellence.  His attitude was great.  He was positive and teachable.

3. DANIEL WAS A MAN OF GREAT INTEGRITY  - 6:4

Daniel continued to serve Nebuchadnezzar.  Under his rule – the kingdom was taken over by the Medes and the Persians.  Darius was the new ruler. 

Because of Daniel’s excellent spirit – Darius was planning to promote him to a position of authority that would be second only to his.Keep in mind – at Daniel’s age – he had seen it all – corruption, greed, abuse of power.  He was in exile from his homeland – and he could have given in to bitter despondency. The leaders of the country had tried to find some charge or fault against him – BUT BECAUSE HE WAS FAITHFUL – THERE WAS FOUND NO CHARGE OR FAULT IN HIM.

Daniel 6:4  At this, the administrators and the satraps tried to find grounds for charges against Daniel in his conduct of government affairs, but they were unable to do so. They could find no corruption in him, because he was trustworthy and neither corrupt nor negligent. 

They were trying to find all sorts of dirt on Daniel.  But as hard as they looked – they could find no fault in him. Not in the way he talked.  No accusations.  No sexual improprieties.  No extortion accusations.  No drugs.  No alcohol. He had been in a position of power for some 60 years – BUT THEY COULD FIND NO EVIDENCE OF ABUSE OF POWER. Here he is  - a man in his 80’s.  From the beginning of life until now – He was a man of great integrity.

4. DANIEL HAD A INTIMACY WITH GOD – 6:10

Daniel 6:10  Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went home. And in his upper room, with his windows open toward Jerusalem, he knelt down on his knees three times that day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as was his custom since early days. 

He was not daunted by what others were doing.  What he had was in the inside of him – not just on the outside.He would continue to follow his God. Notice what he does – He had a place of private prayer to God.  He got down on his knees – three times a day.  This was not only a priority but a habit. He didn’t pray in panic – “O God, what am I going to do?”  He just prayed as he usually did and worshipped his God. His faithful obedience to God allowed him not to be afraid and gave him a great victory over the lion’s mouths.

We shouldn’t pray just because we’re in trouble or because we have to.  WE SHOULD PRAY BECAUSE WE HAVE A HUNGER FOR GOD. We must cultivate an intimacy for God.