My dear children,
An Overview of Daniel
The book of Daniel is a powerful testament to what it means to live by faith when you are far from home. It is, in essence, "a book of two halves."
The first half (chapters 1-6) contains "third person narratives about the lives of Daniel and his three friends, and how Daniel interpreted revelation for others." These are incredible stories of faith under pressure.
The second half (chapters 7-12) shifts to show "Daniel's revelation for himself and God's people, encouraging them that, despite their exile, God was still in control."
The entire book is a masterclass in holding onto your identity in God when the world tries to strip it away.
The Blueprint for a Faithful Life
1. God is Working, Even in Exile
From the very beginning, we can affirm a profound truth: "all things work together for our good." Look at Daniel. He was taken from his home as a prisoner, yet "Daniel being exiled worked in his favour, he became [a ruler] in the end." This had nothing to do with luck and everything to do with character, for it was "because of who Daniel was and how God saw him as faithful thus using him."
Remember, God can use even the most unlikely people, like King Nebuchadnezzar, who "ended up being TeamGod no matter how sinful he was."
2. Excellence is Forged in Private
Daniel and his friends didn't become great by accident. They were known to be "well versed in every branch of learning, gifted with knowledge and good judgment and are suited to serve in the royal palace."
This is a crucial lesson for you: this reputation was "testament to the work they did on themselves behind close doors." Your private discipline creates your public impact.
3. Purposeful Purity: Know Your Weaknesses
The world will constantly offer you compromises. Daniel's response was decisive: "Daniel was determined to not defile himself by eating the food and wine given to them by the king." How did he have such clarity? Because "he knew exactly what would deter him from fulfilling his call to the best of his ability. He identified his weaknesses and turned his back on those." His goal was spiritual sharpness, knowing that "in order to come off a victor, he must have clear mental perceptions that he might discern between wrong and right clearly."
This was not a casual choice. "Daniel and his companions knew not what would be the result of their decision; they knew not but that it would cost them their lives; but they determined to keep the straight path of strict temperance even when in the courts of licentious Babylon." They made what you must learn to make: "an intelligent decision," not a capricious one.
4. Character Attracts Favor
When you live with integrity, people notice. The chief official saw something different in Daniel. It was "the good behavior of the youth that gained for him the favor and love of the prince." He saw that Daniel was "striving to be kind and helpful, that his words were respectful and courteous, and his manner possessed the grace of modesty and meekness."
Your character is your greatest credential.
5. The Partnership Between Your Effort and God's Grace
Never fall into the trap of thinking God's blessing is a substitute for your hard work. These young men "did not feel that the blessing of the Lord was a substitute for the taxing effort required of them." They understood that "to make God's grace our own, we must act our part."
This is the beautiful partnership of a life with God. "While these youth were working out their own salvation, God was working in them to will and to do of His good pleasure." The Lord's role is clear: "His grace is given to work in us to will and to do, but never as a substitute for our effort. Our souls are to be aroused to cooperate. The Holy Spirit works in us, that we may work out our own salvation."
And what was the result of this partnership? "God gave these four young men an unusual aptitude for understanding every aspect of literature and wisdom. And God gave Daniel the ability to interpret the meaning of visions and dreams." This proves a vital principle: "as in the case of Daniel, in exact proportion as the spiritual character is developed, the intellectual capabilities are increased." Spirituality and intellect grow together.
Final Word
My prayer for you is that you, like Daniel, will purpose in your heart to not be defiled by the world. Do the hard work "behind close doors," make intelligent decisions to avoid what weakens you, and trust that as you work, God is working in you. This is the path not just to success, but to a life of purpose and power that honors God.
With all my love,
Mom