The Book of Daniel – An Overview

Romans 15:5-6 “May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

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The Book of Daniel – An Overview

Rev. Johnson V

6th November 2011

God has given each of us a sphere of influence, an area or a group of people over whom we hold some influence. Some of us exert some influence over our immediate families only, or our children, while others have a greater sphere of influence that extends to even strangers. Though we may differ in degree, one thing is certain. God broadens our sphere only after He has tested and tried us, and finds us faithful with everything He has given us. The Book of Daniel gives us wonderful insight into how a young boy, in a bad situation, takes God seriously and has his sphere of influence broadened, and his influence still resonates in the world today.
Here are some key things to remember about Daniel.

Daniel, along with several others, was taken captive when Nebuchadnezzar captured Israel and was taken to Babylon (current day Iraq). Even though his circumstances were far from being good/blessed, Daniel decided early on to honour God. Daniel refused to defy himself with the food prescribed by the king, because he knew that some of the food was displeasing to God and that it was offered to idols.
Even though Daniel was educated in the culture and language of the Babylonians, he was disciplined and didn’t give up on that. He prayed three times a day, even when he was the prime minister.
Daniel lived a life of excellence. He was prayerful and depended on God for everything.
In the incident of the blazing furnace, Daniel’s friends took a stand. They said that they will not worship an object that the king has created, instead they will worship Him who created us all. Sometimes God will call upon us, to take a stand, in order to position us for a promotion.
God was faithful to Daniel. He served as prime minister under three different kings.
Daniel’s colleagues, the Satraps, were jealous and tried to find ways to bring him down. They attempted to discredit him in his work, but they found that they could not. His work was flawless. May God also help us to be excellent in all the work of our hands.
So the satraps devised a plan to discredit Daniel in the area of his faith. But Daniel was not worried or upset. He didn’t go running to God, asking Him why He allowed something like this to happen. Instead, he carried on his duties, as usual. He prayed 3 times a day, as usual.
When Daniel was sentenced to be thrown into the lion’s den, even then Daniel was unperturbed. He knew His God was God even in the lion’s den. The den housed over a thousand lions. The Babylonians used lions in their warfare. But still Daniel survived it and lived to bring honour and glory to His name.
Daniel’s prayers didn’t center around himself. He spent a great deal of time interceding for Israel. And it was because of these times of prayer that Daniel received many visions and prophesies about the end times.

Daniel 11:32 says that those who know their God, will be strong and do exploits. Daniel 12:1-3 says that those who serve God will shine like stars on the last day, while others will wake up to shame. Let us run the race in order to win the prize. Let us allow God to use us in whatever circumstance, so that we can bring honour and glory to His name.