Introduction

Almost everyone has some understanding of the story titled Daniel and the Lions Den. Perhaps you attended church as a child and have fond memories of singing the chorus Dare to be a Daniel. Maybe you faintly remember hearing about Daniel’s three friends and a walk in a fiery furnace or a giant hand that appeared during a wild party and wrote a message on the palace wall. The Book of Daniel is far more than a collection of exciting Sunday School stories. Daniel lived during a very turbulent time (not unlike the times we live in today) and the book sharing his name is full of teaching and principles that are relevant for life today.

As a young teenager, Daniel was taken as a captive from the country and culture that he knew and loved and forced to live in a pagan culture. Daniel stayed through all the years of Israel’s captivity – about seventy years, until he was in his mid-to-late-80s. Daniel rose to a position of leadership second only to the King. He was forced to make choices about what it meant to live out his faith when the rules around him had changed. He faced pressure from co-workers and bosses to give up his faith and blend in with the new culture. Daniel successfully faced all these challenges because the sovereign God of the universe was the sovereign Lord of his heart and of his life.

Modern life can be very difficult and God wants to use the stories and experience of Daniel to teach us principles we can use to better navigate the challenges we face today. The difficulties and bad news you face may come as a surprise to you and you feel overwhelmed. We can be assured that the trials and tribulations that may come into our lives are never a surprise to our Heavenly Father. Nothing happens in our life that has not been permitted by our God who reigns supreme in the affairs of men.

The Book of Daniel takes place during a period when God allowed the nation of Israel to be taken into exile in Babylon (today’s Iraq). Chapters one – six deal with history, while chapters seven – twelve deal with prophecy (future events). During the public ministry of Jesus, he often made reference to the Book of Daniel. The Book of Revelation is a continuation of secrets and prophecies first revealed in Daniel. The prominent theme of Daniel – whether stories from the past or visions of the future – remains the same. God is in control even though circumstances seem out of control. That message offers much hope for the conditions we face today!