Dan. 1:8 - Right from his youth, from the beginning of his captivity, Daniel purposed in his heart that he would remain true to his conscience and to his God. Even though he was far removed from his familiar homeland and the Temple
These things that he was refusing were desirable and good. They were the best that the world had to offer and most people would have no desire to resist them. Many times we can face similar situations in life. We are faced with a choice between what the world has to offer and what God would have for us. These decisions are not easy to make. Both choices may be attractive and seem good. Only a spirit that can discern the voice of God and a heart that is willing to obey Him will find the choice an easy one. Daniel was such a man.
Although no prayer is recorded for us here, we can be sure that Daniel went right to God with his problem. Daniel showed discretion, courtesy and respect for the man who was over him, indeed for all men. He had genuine concern for the man’s wellbeing, while at the same time he was resolved not to defile himself.
Verse nine tells us that God was already making a way for His obedient servant to obey Him. Verse fifteen gives us the results. But beyond just the physical rewards for Daniel’s faithfulness, God bestowed great spiritual blessings upon Daniel as well as upon his friends who had made the choice with him. What can we learn from this story about our own relationship with God?
Dan.2:13 – In every crisis situation our immediate or initial response is critical in determining how we will handle or possibly even influence the events that will follow. This truth is borne out many times in Scripture. In Exodus chapter two Moses, for example, in taking matters into his own hands and killing the Egyptian, set into motion a whole series of consequences that perhaps delayed his usefulness to God for many years. Another example is found in Daniel chapter four. Nebuchadnezzar could have avoided the humiliation of living like an animal; instead he ignored both his dream from God and the good advice of his friend and servant Daniel. Our initial response to crisis is crucial. Daniel’s response and the results of his actions are recorded here for our instruction.
Dan.2:16-18 - Daniel is faced with life and death. Immediately upon hearing of the crisis, Daniel went to his prayer partners and together they went directly and fervently into the presence of God to seek the solution to the mystery. God honored their humility and wisdom for coming to Him. Notice the pattern or form that their prayer of thanksgiving took.
Dan.6:20-23
1) Bless the name of God forever (Hallowed be Thy name)
2) Wisdom and power are His (Thine is the kingdom, power and glory forever)
3) He changes the times and the epochs (Thy will be done)
4) He removes kings and establishes kings (The theme of the book of Daniel)
(The rest of the prayer is the secret to Daniel’s abilities and successes)
5) He gives wisdom to wise men
6) He gives knowledge to men of understanding
7) He reveals hidden and profound things
8) He knows what is in the darkness and the light is with Him
9) It is He who has answered their prayers
Dan.2:26-30 – Here we see Daniel’s eagerness to give all glory and honor to his God. He leaves no doubt that no one else could ever reveal the mystery. No wise man or magician or sorcerer, no one but God and God alone. He leaves no doubt that he is not claiming the credit for himself either. This public declaration by Daniel, proclaiming God Almighty as the source of the dream and the interpretation, amounts to an introduction of Nebuchadnezzar to the God of Israel. Daniel will continue to declare the majesty, power and wisdom of his God before all men and before many more kings. With this we find another key insight into Daniel’s effectiveness in his service to God.
Dan.4:19 – By this time in his life, Daniel was so close to God and in such constant communication with Him that the mystery was revealed to him immediately. God determines how He will speak to His prophet. There is no dream or vision used here. The thoughts come directly into Daniel’s mind. Later we find Daniel having day visions, direct visitations from angels and even a visit from a person whom I believe to be the pre-incarnate Christ. God is not to be boxed in by our conceptions based on what He may have done before. God is trustworthy and changeless when it comes to His person, on that we can rely. But God is not obligated to always act in the same way. We think of Jesus, for example, and the different ways in which He chose to heal people. God is a free moral agent and as such can do things differently if He chooses. God was so welcomed in Daniel’s mind that He could just speak direct thoughts to Daniel without causing panic, confusion or puffed up pride.
I include this story in our study of prayer because this is the kind of prayer relationship that I believe God wants for all of His children. Compare I Thes.5:17 - “Pray without ceasing”. Again, Daniel was obviously engaged in an ongoing dialog with God. They spoke on a regular basis. We, as Christians should do the same.
Dan.5:11-12 – Here we have another demonstration of the truth that we just discussed. Daniel is summoned out of semi-retirement and faced with another great mystery that no man or so-called god can answer. Again the answer is given directly to Daniel internally. He is still in direct communication with the God who solves mysteries. The power and favor of God still rest upon him. Daniel is now in his eighties and we see that he is still the same faithful, dedicated, undefiled servant of God that he was at fifteen. He has no interest in the gifts or worldly honors that the king offers to him at all. He just speaks for the Lord and goes home. What a testimony! We can learn much from this insight into Daniel’s character. Is it any wonder that this man was so gifted by the Spirit of God and so blessed in his life?
Dan.6:3-4 - Daniel always rose to the top of every situation. He always excelled among his fellows. Typically, jealousy would follow his successes. Unfortunately, this is a common theme in life. If you are a consciences and hard worker, you will often find yourself the object of scorn and contempt. Daniel was not unaware of the situation, but he never compromised his principles for convenience or out of fear.
Verse three says that Daniel had an extraordinary spirit. We know that the Holy Spirit of God was upon him, but I don’t think that’s what is in view here. Compare Num.14:24 – “My servant Caleb, because he had a different spirit and has followed Me fully”. Daniel too had a different spirit than most men. He too followed God fully. These are the kind of men (and women) that God can use in extraordinary ways.
Dan.6:10 – Here we have just one of many examples in scripture where a man of God disregards a law of man in order to remain true to God. Man’s laws come and go, but the word of God is eternal. This law was fabricated for the very purpose of condemning Daniel. His godliness was what his adversaries were counting on. This trap would not snare most men. Only a man who was not intimidated by corrupt legislatures and kangaroo courts would dare to break this new law. I can’t help but wonder what the future has in store for us as Christians in America Washington
6:11 – Notice that Daniel was praying specific prayers, petitions and supplications, before God. Notice also that he was praying at specific times. He prayed at the times of the Temple
6:20-22 – Daniel is still introducing kings to the true and living God. “My God sent His angel and he has shut the lions’ mouths.” What a picture of the victory over Satan that Christ has provided for all that believe! Christ has shut the lion’s mouth for us.
It is obvious that Daniel enjoyed blessed assurance before his Lord. “I was found innocent before Him.” Here we have another striking picture of the finished work of Christ on behalf of believers. John 3:18 – “He who believes in Him is not judged.” We to should be confident in declaring that God has “found us innocent” if we are in Christ, Col.2:14.
Dan.7:15-16 – Daniel was confused and perplexed within his night vision. He needed help and God knew his need before he asked. God provided an angel to communicate with Daniel in the midst of the vision. God knows our needs before we ask also; He also knows our hearts before we act.
Remember that the order of the chapters is not the order in which they occurred. Daniel has been growing closer and closer to God as he goes along. Let’s trace his progress. He stated out just interpreting another man’s dream (ch.2). Then God spoke directly into his conscious mind (ch.4). Here he is having night visions of his own, interactive ones (ch.7). We then find Daniel having supernatural prophetic visions in the evening and the morning; also he is in direct communication with the angel Gabriel, who will be his companion and visitor from now on (ch.8). Again we see that God speaks prophetic truth into his thoughts and opens mysteries instantly to Daniel’s mind (ch.5). The amazingly detailed vision of the seventy weeks takes prophecy to a new level. Only the book of Revelation really compares (ch.9). Next an angel comes to him in the middle of the night and saves his life for all the world to see (ch.6). Followed by a three-chapter discourse between Daniel and various heavenly persons, including the Lord of Glory Himself (chs.10,11+12)!
This is the way it is meant to be for God’s children. To grow closer to Him as they go along and to experience deeper and ever increasing intimacy with Him. This process will actually never end. Daniel got an early start. Can you imagine the kind of relationship he and God are enjoying today?
Dan.9:1-19 – We now come to one of the most beautiful examples of prayer in the entire Bible. Please notice first of all that Daniel was reading his bible (scrolls). Daniel studied God’s word and he relied completely upon it. Daniel was essentially praying God’s word back to Him. He begins by proclaiming God’s greatness, faithfulness and mercy. Then immediately he goes right into confession and repentance. He acknowledged God’s repeated warnings to His people through Moses and the Prophets. Then, he places full responsibility upon the people for their trouble. He confesses the guilt of the kings, the princes and all of the people. Daniel includes himself in his confession, although we never learn of any of his specific sins. There is an interesting passage in Ezekiel 14:14+20.
His plea is for forgiveness. He appeals to God’s righteousness and mercy and for God’s own namesake, to show Himself mighty as He did when He brought the people out of Egypt
God answers prayer because of who He is, not because people deserve a second chance. Daniel is not trying to talk God into acting; he is reciting back to God what He has already said that He would do, through the former Prophets. The New Testament Church calls it “Praying in God’s will.” God has made it clear that He is going to act in the end. He will establish His kingdom on earth. He greatly desires to bless His people. He stands ready to open the windows of heaven and pour out blessings beyond man’s ability to describe. But, He has set conditions in accordance with His holiness and righteousness. He must remain true to Himself. He must maintain His integrity, which means He must deal with sin. This is the place that Daniel enters into his prayer, with fasting, sackcloth and supplication. His prayer is for God to “hear, forgive, listen and act!” as He has said that He would.
The conditions that God set for His people Israel
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