Foundations Week 25, Day 4

Scripture Read: Daniel 1 - 2
Title: The Influence of Daniel

H.E.A.R. 
(H) Highlight verse: "Daniel answered the king and said, 'No wise men, enchanters, magicians, or astrologers can show the king the mystery that the king has asked, but there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries, and he has made known to King Nebuchadnezzar what will be in the latter days.  Your dream and the visions of your head as you lay in bed are these:  To you O king, as you lay in bed came thoughts of of what would be after this, and he who reveals mysteries made known to you what is to be.'" Daniel 2:27 - 29

(E) Explain: Daniel was a young Israelite who was taken into captivity during the reign of the Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar.  Nebuchadnezzar had taken over Jerusalem and Judah.  He then commanded his Eunuch’s to bring him some young people from Israel who were of royalty and nobility.  These youths were to be without blemish, good looking, skilled, teachable, competent, smart and well educated.  Daniel was among these young people.  When Nebuchadnezzar came to Babylon Daniel quickly became known to him because of his wisdom and his gift for interpreting dreams (note there are some similarities to Joseph’s story as well).  He had a couple of good friends named Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego who Daniel helped become rise in the ranks of the King’s court.

(A) Application: Here are a few observations about Daniel from todays  passage that we can use and apply in our lives today.

1. Daniel was a man of influence - It’s easy to forget that Daniel was a captive because he was such an influential person.  He influenced his own people and  he influenced Kings for many generations. 
   He was an Influence among his people – (Dan. 1) - When Daniel was brought to Babylon he was told to eat the King’s food and wine.  Verse 8 says, “But Daniel resolved that he would not defile himself with the king’s food or with the wine he drank.”  He told the Eunuch’s to let him and some of his companions eat vegetables and water and they will see that they will be healthier than those who did eat the meat and drink wine of the king.  He was unwilling to compromise himself and his culture and this was an inspiration to those people who were with him. 
2. Daniel was a man of humility - Daniel was a man of prayer, influence and conviction and in all of this he remained humble.  Daniel knew his position and he was aware of who was the one actually doing all of the great and marvelous things in his life.
   He never took credit for his work; He always gave the glory to God. (Dan. 2:27) – Daniel interpreted dreams and visions.  In doing this he received a lot of praise.  Daniel was quick to take the spotlight off of himself and put it on God.  He more than once told the King’s that he was incapable of interpreting the dreams but he did serve a God who was capable of revealing the interpretation to him.  It would have been very easy for Daniel to take the credit for himself and even profit from all of this but he chose to remain humble and give all glory to God.  This is a rare thing.

(R) Respond: My hope and prayer is that I can be like Daniel.  I want to be a man who is disciplined in prayer, holds steadfast to my convictions, lives a life of humility and is an influence to my family, friends, and peers.  Lord, help me to become more like Daniel.