Daniel—Faithfulness under Trial

Daniel chapters 1-6

When we think of Daniel usually the first thing that comes to mind is the story of Daniel and the lions’ den.  All of us, I am sure, remember how Daniel, going against the king’s decree, continued his practice of kneeling in prayer three times a day and giving thanks to God.  We recall how, when this was discovered, Daniel was cast into the lions’ den.  And we know the outcome, how God sent His angel to shut up the lions’ mouths and kept them from harming Daniel.

But this account is but one testimony to Daniel’s faithfulness.  A study of the life of Daniel shows a lifelong devotion to God in the face of many trials.  Daniel was taken to Babylon as a prisoner of war when he was around fifteen years old.  Daniel, who would spend the rest of his life in Babylon, served under four kings: Nebuchadnezzar, Balshazzar, Darius and Cyrus.  During this time period, Daniel’s faithfulness was challenged many times.

The first of Daniel’s tests came under king Nebuchadnezzar when, along with Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah (whom you may know better as Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego), Daniel refused to defile himself with the king’s choice food.  As a result of their resolve these four young men were put into the king’s personal service.  From this position Daniel continued to serve God and the king faithfully though surrounded by paganism and ungodliness.

From Daniel we learn that faithfulness to God, even at a young age, holds many rewards.  Because of Daniel’s resolve to obey God he found favor among kings.  Daniel would rather die than turn his back on God and the Bible tells us his enemies could find no occasion of fault against him until they tried to use that faithfulness against him. But even then they were not able to bring harm to Daniel.

Let us all, young and old, pray for the courage of Daniel, that we might face our own trials and enemies with total faith and conviction.  And, in doing so, bring glory to Christ and His church.

Yours in love and faith,

Thomas Sneed

Pond Church of Christ